Guardians of Ukraine

€ 63,90

TAGHVAEE Babak:Guardians of Ukraine
The Ukrainian Air Force Since 1992.
352 Seiten, sehr viele Farbfotos, Tabellen, Anmerkungen, gebunden mit Schutzumschlag

The independent Ukrainian Air Force was officially established on 17 March 1992. It inherited 944 former Soviet aircraft, making it the second largest air force in Europe. With a variety of exotic combat aircraft types, including the last operational Yak-28s and Su-15s in the world, the Ukrainian Air Force became of immediate interest to both aviation enthusiasts and air defence analysts.

In the mid-2000s the country’s aircraft repair plants inaugurated upgrades to enhance the combat readiness of the aircraft and helicopters of the force, however, financial problems still led to a decline in combat strength. In 2014, when the territorial disputes on the Crimean peninsula became a full-scale war with pro-Russian separatists, the Ukrainian Air Force had a fleet of 66 operational-ready planes in service. These were used in interdiction and close air support missions and during the war approximately 14 aircraft were lost.

This book provides a detailed look on the organisation and combat strength of the air force’s aircraft and helicopters.

Drawing on a wide range of previously unseen photographs, supplemented by specially commissioned colour artworks, Guardians of the Ukraine presents all types of combat, transport and training aircraft, as well as helicopters previously or currently operated by the Ukrainian Air Force.

The illustrations are supported by detailed captions many of which provide individual aircraft histories.

• Eyes and Ears
• Fighter Force
• Military Transport Aviation
• Long Range Aviation
• Pilot Trainers
• Radio and Radar Jammers

Review from cybermodeller.com:

Respected author Babak Taghvaee – best known for superb studies of military aviation in his native Iran – lends his considerable talent to illuminating the Soviet-era aerial assets, and post-independence vicissitudes of what was once Europe’s second-largest air arm.

Subtitled “The Ukrainian Air Force Since 1992”, Hikoki’s handsome hardback sports hundreds of illustrations – color shots, color profiles, and close-ups.

MiG-29s. Su-27s. Tu22Ms. Mi-8s. Even Su-15s and MiG-21s. And more. Much more.

How about that stunning L-39C camouflage scheme at the bottom of page 325? Or that intricate mottled green over gray Su-25M1 pattern? Or those wild Su-24MR sharkmouths of 511th ORAP?

Start planning those projects!

Nor must you sequentially traverse this terrific tome.

After introductory remarks, I visited fighter commentary, segued to long-range aviation notes, lingered at reconnaissance assets, then sauntered through the rest.

Aircraft service details – and notes on exports of refurbished ex-Soviet and Ukrainian equipment – proved especially illuminating.

Captions, tables, and abbreviations glossary augment the eye-opening effort. And a selected bibliography and index neatly wrap things up.

Taghvaee’s ripping read reflects years of serious study and sleuthing. I savored its motherlode of revelations. And you will, too.

I just wish he includes some color plates of unit badges! And why no annotations?

Robustly recommended!