Description

Shrouded in secrecy for many years, the development of Soviet airpower has been an enigma in the West, and much misinformation has appeared in print, either intentionally or due to unavailability of source materials. Now, with the “security” paranoia gone, Russian authors have been able to delve into the archives and come up with much more accurate information about the development of aircraft and other weapons systems. The freedom to publish historical material has resulted in a number of really excellent works on Soviet aviation history, or which this title is one.
The book begins with a ten page history of the Tupolev design Bureau from the earliest days during the Tsarist Regime through the Communist Revolution and the subsequent development of the Soviet system in the twenties and thirties. Originally, a design team headed by A. A. Tupolev, identified as TsAGI was established in 1922, although its roots went back to 1918. Many other designers and engineers worked with Tupolev at various times, persons who would eventually make their mark on Soviet aeronautical development. These included A.A. Arkhangel’skiy, Vladimir Petlyakov, Pavel O. Sukhoi, and Vladimir M. Myasishchev, and others too numerous to mention, some of whom eventually headed their own design bureaus and became famous on their own.
The real content of the book, however, deals with the development of individual aircraft, many of which are unknown to Western readers. Beginning with the single seat ANT-1 (ANT designations were A. N. Tupolev’s initials) sport plane of composite construction, the text outlines in detail the development of major and minor design projects, including those which were never built even in prototype form. Some of the earlier types included the ANT-3 (R-3) all metal reconnaissance biplane, the ANT-4 (TB-1) twin engine bomber, the ANT-5 (I-4) all metal biplane fighter, and the gigantic ANT-6 (TB-3) four engine bomber. Excellent photos, mostly unpublished in the West, are included, and the three views are very informative.
The Tupolev group developed an astonishing variety of aircraft, including fighters, bombers, reconnaissance, and transport types. One of the most famous was the ANT-40, which was produced during the thirties as the SB high speed bomber. This is covered in great detail, with some explanation of the various production variations that were built.
This book describes every aircraft produced or designed by the Tupolev organization, including missile systems. It is very complete, and will take the enthusiast a long time to read through the fascinating content.
One very interesting feature of this book is the 76 color photos included at the end, including those of some surprising surviving examples of early Soviet aircraft. In addition, 600 black and white photos are included, plus many line drawings.