When the book on Bomber secret projects was released, it was only a matter of time before there would be one covering fighters. This one does not disappoint covering a vast number of projects, all of them turbojet or rocket powered.

Many of the aircraft in the book actually made it to the hardware stage, but were rejected in favor of other types. The story of each type (well, as much as is known) is provided along with accompanying photos of either the aircraft, wind tunnel or mock-up aircraft, or models derived from known drawings. This gives a good idea of what could have been.

Many of these are quite innovative, such as the design shown on the cover that looks like a wingless MiG-25. Other interesting types include flying boats and rocket fighters, several of which are little more than continuations of German late war research. 

What I found particularly interesting were the different designs for VTOL aircraft. This is an area that has always held interest for me and it has always amazed me that the only really successful VTOL aircraft is the Harrier, though I'm sure that several will put the Yak-38 into that category as well. Follow on planes like the Yak-141 never got beyond the prototype stage.

In fact, several promising aircraft were never continued, coming at the fall of the Soviet Union and the subsequent drying up of funding for new types. This befell the impressive MiG  I-44 and Sukhoi S-37, the former only making two test flights before being grounded.

All in all it is a fascinating look into what could have been and a book that really should be on your shelves.

May 2006

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