Once again, a superb book on Russian Aviation from the fine folks at Midland. This time, Yefim Gordon along with Sergy and Dmitriy Komissarov look into German aircraft flown under the red star.

One might think that this would be a book on captured aircraft, and while that is true in some regard, there is a great deal more to it than just that. It also includes planes that were purchased for the military and for airlines.

It starts before WWI with the construction and sale of German aviation pioneer Hans Grade's early designs in 1911 and then goes into the EtrichTaube and other types that were either imported or locally built.

The book itself is divided into sections, the major ones being WWI, Soviet Russia 1918-36, Spanish Civil War, WWII , and several post war sections right up to the present. Each section  goes into considerable detail on the type and includes a bevy of photos, many of which I have never seen. This is especially true of the pre-WWII section. One has to consider that these are not only aircraft purchased outright or captured but also those that were modified or license built by the Soviet Union/Russia.

The post WWII section is particularly interesting as the Soviet Union used and developed a number of German designs. This includes the Me-163 and Ju-287 and DFS-346 research aircraft. Those designs that were developed using German designers and technicians, such as the Type 150 twin-jet bomber and the aborted Baade 152 airliner, the only aircraft of East German origin to fly, are given considerable coverage.  There is also coverage of modern Russia and the German aircraft registered in country. These are mostly helicopters. The book ends with a section on turbojet and turboprop engines developed from German designs.

In all, it is an incredible book that is loaded with superlative photos as well as Midland's excellent drawings. Interspersed throughout the book are a number of excellent profiles as well. This is an outstanding reference on the subject that will be much appreciated by the enthusiast, historian and modeler alike. A book you can buy with the confidence that you are getting the very best.

June 2008

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