The next book in Specialty Press' 'Warbird Tech' series is on the Tu-95 'Bear' and derivatives. Authored by Russian aviation experts Yefim Gordon and Peter Davison, this 104 page book provides an in depth look at one of the most technically interesting aircraft developed by Soviet Union.

In the late 1940s, the Soviet Union was relying on reverse engineered B-29s, the Tu-4, to carry their nuclear arsenal. It was obvious that these planes were unable to reach many of their targets due to a lack of range and the weight of the weapons. So began a development of a bomber with sufficient range to deliver the payload and possibly return. This began the saga of the Tu-95 'Bear'.

It was and still is the only really large strategic aircraft to rely on turboprops; the huge engines driving contra-rotating props attached to swept wings on a slim fuselage. The Bear is no longer a nuclear bomber, but has broadened its mission to include ASW, Electronic Intelligence, and to carry air to surface and cruise missiles. The design was improved in later years to the very similar Tu-142, a type that is still in service today. In addition to its military role, the Tu-95 was modified to produce the Tu-116 civil airliner.

The authors take us through the design and development of the aircraft along with its bewildering number of special mission planes. There are special sections on the missile carrying planes, the nuclear bombers, the ASW aircraft and the civil types. There is also a section describing the aircraft in detail as well as a short modeling section. The book is full of superb photography and includes a large section in full color.

Overall, an outstanding book on this important aircraft, and what's more, it is very competitively priced. It is one I enjoyed reading and I know you will as well.

August 2006

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