#1204400 in Books 2010-01-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.25 x 1.50 x 8.75l; 5.65 #File Name: 1857803140592 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This second edition brings the title into line with current standardsBy Jim DavisIn 1996; Midland came out with the first edition of this book. It was a superb book in its day but the standard of these titles have gone up considerably in the interim. The Mikoyan title had previously been upgraded; the Sukhoi book finally gets its due.This edition has exactly twice as many (592 vs. 296) pages as the first edition. The book has been completely rewritten. The additional pages have been used to bring the Sukhoi story up to date regarding aircraft that have appeared since and also to include many unbuilt projects. The bottom line is that if you have the first edition of the book it is well worth while to purchase the newer edition.This book has all the strengths of the previous OKB titles. It also has a number of the weaknesses. The most important are:1. No index. True; books of this sort are self indexing to some extent but an index would still be very useful.2. Few maps. Most of the places named are unfamiliar to non Russians. The only maps are reproductions showing 1930s record breaking flights; there are no specially commissioned maps in the book.3. No glossary or list of abbreviations. This is particularly annoying as the first edition did have one. There are a huge number of abbreviations and it is difficult to keep them all straight. Context is helpful but not entirely satisfactory.4. The editing is spotty. There are innumerable instances of dropped letters (as instead of was); dropped words; tenses that don't match; hyphenations in mid line; etc. This is only annoying; rarely is meaning lost. But for a book of this price one expects better.5. The line drawings are of high quality but often reproduced at a size smaller or larger than originally intended. If smaller detail drops out; if larger pixellation and digital artifacts surface.6. Color is restricted to a 50 page portfolio in the back of the book.The book was presumably not translated but written in English directly by coauthor Dmitriy Komissarov. His command of English is superb and virtually never hits a false note.Despite weaknesses this is a five star book that I recommend highly. One wonders what other OKBs will get this treatment. Surely a rotary wing OKB like Mil' and Kamov are deserving? I can hardly wait!4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Best Book on Sukhoi AircraftBy Nom de RadmacEven though the prior version of this book was impressive; this one exceeds the prior version by a long shot and almost 300 additional pages. With almost 600 well illustrated pages and every version and variant of Sukhoi aircraft detailed via text; photos; and diagrams; there is likely to be no more comprehensive volume on Sukhoi; until another version of this book is released. This book is particularly valuable in detailing all of the various versions of the Su-27/33/35 Flanker and SU-17/22 Fitter. Almost every major and minor variant is illustrated with at least a side view diagram and many have three view diagrams. There are also extensive photos; including many in color. This book sets a new standard for works on Russian aircraft and is an essential volume in a library of modern military aircraft. I recommend this book without reservation.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. New enlarge 2010 book of OKB SukhoiBy Rad63This is the new enlarged version of the 1996 edition of OKB Sukhoi publication by Yefim Gordon and is full of drawings; photos; and discussion. It is undoubtedly the last word (as 0f 2010) on the Sukhoi aircraft and design bureaus. There is an unbelievable amount of information which I admit that I have not completely read - almost 600 pages. It is part of Yefim Gordon's series of publications on aircraft designers and bureaus of the USSR and the CIS. For those of you who remember the Putnam series of books covering aviation manufactures; etc.; which are excellent; these appear to be Putnam on steroids. Gordon produces books covering aviation topics that are really unavailable elsewhere in English- and is extending his coverage to Chinese aircraft in one of his other new publications. If you are interested in Russian military and/or aviation; this book will be a valuable addition to your library
