The Soviet Air Force had just started to re-equip with modern fighters when the Germans opened Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. Hundreds of fighters were destroyed in the first few days, but many of these were obsolete biplanes and monoplanes. The remaining fighters, including more modern types such as the MiG-3 and LaGG-3, tried to stem the Nazi advance. This book details the development of the Red Air Force fighters, from the dark days of Operation Barbarossa, to eventual triumph over the ruins of Berlin. Starting with obsolete aircraft such as the Polikarpov biplane and monoplane fighters, the Soviets then settled on two main lines of development; the inline-engined LaGG-3 and its radial-engined derivatives, the La-5 and La-7, and the inline-engined Yakovlev fighters, which were produced in greater numbers than any other series of fighters. Not only are these aircraft described in great detail, but experimental fighters are also dealt with. In addition to the descriptions, accurate colour profiles are provided illustrating the evolution of these aircraft in terms of design, camouflage, and markings. From the fixed undercarriage I-15bis biplane of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, to the superb La-7 and Yak-3 fighters of the last year of the war, the fighters of the Red Air Force are all covered in this comprehensive book.

About the Author
Jason Nicholas Moore is an avid air historian and modeller, with a particular interest in Soviet aeroplanes, and he has spent the last 40 years doing both historical research and constructing model aeroplanes. He has written a comprehensive history on the Il-2 Shturmovik, by this publisher. I addition he has written books on the Lavochkin fighters, the Tu-2 bomber, Soviet strategic bombers, the Po-2, and Soviet bombers of the Second World War, all by this publisher. He has spent much of the last 30 years researching Soviet aircraft in general, and has read extensively on the war on the Eastern Front.


Book Information
ISBN 9781781558256
Author Jason Nicholas Moore
Format Hardback
Page Count 416
Imprint Fonthill Media Ltd
Publisher Fonthill Media Ltd
Weight(grams) 1183g
Dimensions(mm) 248mm * 172mm * 31mm