Though it may sound a bit odd, of all the Russian aircraft developed over the last 50 years, my favorite is not the MiG-15, Su-27 or any other fast jet. It is the homely and staid An-2. There is just something neat about a somewhat modern post-war biplane. What's more, it is an aircraft that is still flying with hundreds of small airlines, crop dusting organizations and military forces throughout the world. What's more, this is not a small aircraft, as anyone who has been close to one can attest.

Original design work started before the Great Patriotic War but was put on hold until the war was over. It almost did not make it on the scene at all, were it not for intervention by Nikita Kruschev; made all the more amazing as Kruschev was very much pushing missiles over aircraft at the time.

Once it got into the hands of its operators, it was discovered to be a superb aircraft. It can easily be flown by even the most inept pilots and one has to go into a serious series of major screw-ups to even get the plane to stall! Add to these superb handling qualities an airframe that is both rugged and adaptable to a multiplicity of different uses and you have a legend in the making. In addition to its many civil uses, the An-2 has been used by a number of military forces the world over for general liaison, transport, and even for some covert operations.

Typical of Red Star books, the first portion of the book covers the development of the aircraft as well as the bewildering number of variants that have been produced. It is followed by an in-depth look at the airframe and systems. This is followed by a section on its use in various civil and military guises. There is then the usual excellent three views showing different variants and several pages of color. In case you think that the story of the An-2 is over, it isn't. It has been developed into the An-3, which sports a turboprop in place of the radial engine. I expect this aircraft to have a life as long as the DC-3!

Once again, a superb book and on a very interesting aircraft that I found a delight to read. Most highly recommended to all and especially those whose interest lies in either Russian or transport aircraft.

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