The History of Soviet Aircraft from 1918

Development of aircraft has led designers along many fascinating avenues of thought. Some were lucrative journeys, advancing capabilities in great strides, while others came to abrupt halts, becoming instances of theory several steps ahead of available technology. Post-Revolution Russia found itself trailing badly in the relatively new but increasingly important field of aviation. Massive efforts were made to create an industry that would bring self-sufficiency and aircraft able to compete in combat or commerce. Since then, Russian aircraft have demonstrated enormous variety as general purpose gave way to high specialisation, propellors surrendered to the thrust of jets, and speed and capability conquered new frontiers.
Czechoslovakian historian Vaclav Nemecek's lifetime study charts events from the early revival through to the emergence of today's awesome military air power and its rich variety of civil aviation. Written in narrative form and illustrated throughout with over 600 photographs including 12 pages in full colour, the book is a profound yet refreshing work for the aviation enthusiast. The avoidance of the catalogue approach has produced a highly readable text supported by a mass of data contained in a separate 34-page specification section.
Nemecek's work was originally published in Czechoslovakia in 1969, followed by a German edition in 1974. The English translation has been considerably revised and expanded to include newly-released information, and additional updating on modern planes has been provided by Dutch researcher Wim Schoenmaker. It is now the most definitive history on the subject available in the western world.


by Vaclav Nemecek
Published by Collins Willow 1986 1st English edition. (revised and updated from 1969 Chechoslovak 1st) 460pp profusely illustrated, index.18x26 fine, including d/j.






Note:
"Long" descriptions, where shown, may have been taken from the book's dust jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "new edition" "previously unpublished photographs" etc.) and not the present.