PDF Ilyushin Il-2/Il-10 (Famous Russian Aircraft) by Yefim Gordon in History

Review

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Mostly successful attempt to give an earlier aircraft the Famous Russian Aircraft treatmentBy Jim DavisHaving read and enjoyed the previous books in Midland's Famous Russian Aircraft series I was excited when it was announced that the famous Ilyushin Il-2 would be getting the same treatment. Could a format designed for complex modern aircraft with long service histories work for an earlier WWII type? The answer seems to be...for the most part; yes.Naturally the format had to adjusted. The first chapter in the book is an interesting history of close support aircraft in the Soviet Union prior to the Il-2.Color photography doesn't seem to have made it to the Soviet Union prior to the 1950s so the photographs are overwhelmingly in black and white; including the jacket cover. Color photos are restricted to preserved and/or restored examples. There is an entire chapter devoted to that unlike previous volumes; no doubt to add more color to a somewhat drab book. Color also makes its appearance in the form of large numbers of color profiles; drawings of national insignia as they evolved through the war years; and drawings of various personal and unit awards and decorations.Also unlike previous volumes there is a long (and welcome) chapter devoted to outstanding Il-2 pilots and gunners and their careers and reminiscences. Especially interesting to me was the section on the first born of the space age; Gheorgiy Beregovoy. I'm curious if the 24 years between his two Hero of the Soviet Union decorations is a record of sorts.There are some complaints. There is no index. There really is no excuse for this in a book this expensive and comprehensive. There are no maps. For a book in English aimed at an audience likely to be unfamiliar with the minutiae of Soviet geography this is a serious shortcoming. Some of the line drawings are reproduced somewhat less than perfectly but nothing huge. The line drawings are generally adequate; although the Il-8 and Il-16 are not covered. The two page cutaway on pages 378 and 379 is very crude with no call outs. If it is a reproduction of a contemporary drawing it might be excused. If it is a modern production it should not have made the cut.More seriously I think there should have been much more discussion on the different approaches to close support taken by the various combatants. There is some discussion of the Il-2 compared to the German Ju 87; Hs 129; Fw 190 but it is superficial. Completely ignored is the British and American trend toward the strike fighter (Typhoon; Tempest; P-47).But on balance this book is a welcome addition to the Famous Russian aircraft series with much new information and corrections of misinformation. I hope other WWII era Russian aircraft get the same treatment. Highly recommended.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. SturmovikBy G. DornAnother great product from MIDLANDS with an excellent format and tons of pictures and drawings. the only complaints I have with the book is that there are many references to the machine guns and cannon carried by these aircraft but no comparative analysis of these weapons. I realize that the book is about the plane but when the sole purpose of this aircraft was to act as a weapons platform to destroy men and machines; I think that it would have been nice to detail the effectiveness the same weapons. This book is still the best out their on this subject so enjoy it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very Good!!!By L. DemenkovaVery good book on all types of Ilushin airplanes during WW2. I love these planes and this book has a lot of information and a lot of quality photos as well as pain schemes and history on development. Also it has pictures of prototypes.If you love this aircraft; get this book you wont be sorry. Book is quite big.