Ilyushin IL-28: Famous Russian Aircraft Hardcover – April 5, 2016

This is a near-coffee-table work that is filled to the brim with text, charts, and photographs. If you like or love the Il-28, then you absolutely, positively must have this magnificent work.The single best thing I can say about it is that even though it is all here, I wish there was more! Of everything. But the authors appeared to have scoured the globe to get all they could on everything about this plane form Russian and Chinese sources, as well as pretty much every user of the plane from the expected Warsaw Pact users, but then also Albania to Finland and Afghanistan to the PRC & North Korea.This is the sole reference work anyone needs on the Il-28. And there is just so much great information here. On every version. By every user. The four biggest "reveals" for me in this great work are:1. The Soviet Union built over 6,300 Il-28s! This is almost triple the number that are usually thought of as having been produced. The authors break down the production by both plant and year (e.g., peak production was 1,768 in 1954).2. Contrary to so many sources over the years, the Czechs did NOT build the Il-28! And they operated only a total of 77 Il-28s (bombers, recce, and trainers, as well as conversions to specialized ECM).3. The authors discuss and have photographs for the late 1960s Il-28 attack/interdiction model, the Il-28Sh, which was thought potentially necessary in the Far East, against the PRC, because the Soviets had few dedicated attack aircraft at the time. The photographs showing the 12 wing-mounted 57 mm rocket launchers are priceless.4. Sadly, when Krushchov decided in the late 1950s to focus more on strategic nuclear weapons & delivery systems, reducing the Red Army significantly in size, but also Soviet tactical attack aviation, this meant that hundreds of low airtime Il-28s (many in the 60-100 hours of total flight time) were just quickly destroyed, including by using tanks to crush them on the flight lines to meet deadlines.Of course, the Soviets would later wish they had more Il-28s, like the Il-28Sh, to use tactically in Afghanistan, were they performed admirably, ably protected against shoulder-fired AAMs by the manually-operated rear 23 mm twin cannons.The photographs in this work are just nothing short of phenomenal. From all sorts of countries and from all the various years and users. Land and naval. While most are in b&w, some are in color. They have amazing detail. As do the many great drawings, both internal and external.No one who wants to know about the Il-28 should be without this 336-page masterpiece. Rush, don't delay, buying this book. If only every other aviation work on a single airplane were as 1st rate as this. A true classic. A keeper.

Though they're not numbered, this is the 11th book in the Famous Russian Aircraft series and the second one since finding a new home at Crecy Publishing. This one covers the Ilyushin Il-28 (Beagle to NATO), often referred to the Soviet Canberra, being, like that British aircraft, a first generation jet bomber.The book is uniform with others in the series but the two Crecy volumes released thus far have a jacket spine very distinct from the earlier Midland volumes which mars the aesthetics of the view on the shelf. Between the covers the format is identical since they are all laid out in Russia by Polygon Press. The book is relatively thin at 336 pages for this series but the peculiarities of the aircraft's history largely explains that.The aircraft was produced in large numbers just as the first generation jet bombers were passing into obsolescence. Thus there was comparatively little development and its use in actual combat relatively rare.As always, the authors cover this aircraft from conception to extinction. The background, construction, development, production, service history, and worldwide use are covered in great detail. The Chinese version, the H-5, is also covered although built without benefit of a proper license.Also as always, the text is well supported graphically with drawings (both contemporary and modern), tables, and photographs. Most of the latter are black and white as color photography seems to have been rare in the Soviet Union before the '60s. Many of the color photos are of the aircraft in service with other nations. There are also numerous color profiles of the aircraft. There is no general index but several separate ones of aircraft, engines, weapons, units, etc.Again as always, highly recommended. While the authors are proud of the accomplishments of the Soviet/Russian aircraft industry they are by no means mere cheerleaders; the shortcomings and deficiencies are not dismissed. If you've liked previous volumes in this series I can't imagine you won't like this one. I look forward to the announced MiG-17 book and hope others are in the pipeline as well.

This was my first purchase of a book in the Famous Russian Aircraft series. This volume is very consistent with other books authored by Gordon and Komissarov. That means there is enough here to satisfy just about any interest in the IL-28 and it's well written and illustrated. There were a few areas where oblique references were made to various other aircraft, weapons, or programs that might cause a bit of confusion to someone who is unfamiliar with Soviet Aviation. I doubt that will be a problem for the vast majority of people who purchase this book.Often there is usually a sufficient lack of coverage in one area or another to justify the purchase of additional works on the same aircraft. In my opinion, unless you have a specific interest such as use of the IL-28 by the Soviet Navy or production of the H-5 this volume is sufficient as a stand alone volume as of its publication date.Highly Recommended.

Another excellent, highly detailed analysis by Mr Gordon and mr Kommisarov. I have several of their books and all have been excellent, like raising the veil on former Soviet secrecy. I like the fact that they tell the stories but don't glorify themselves as I have seen others do.

Un altro splendido volume monografico di Yefim Gordon dedicato ad un aereo sovietico.

Superb book about one of the Soviet first generation jet tactical bomber/reconnaissance aircraft (aka BAC Canberra). The detail and the photographs are stunningly informative; and the text corresponding to design, development and variants is outstanding. If there was a downside to the book, it was the operational histories of non-Soviet countries; and in particular the IL28 in the Arab-Israeli conflict. I personally recommend any aviation enthusiast interested in either Soviet aircraft specifically or post-WWII jet aircraft to get this in their library...it is well worth the money.

Once again we have a book on an interesting, and somewhat overlooked, Soviet aircraft of the early Cold War period. The book is both informative and easy to read. It will appeal to historians as well as modellers. It covers all versions including some bizarre Chinese conversions. A series of good quality images and technical details along with a well written text makes this title a must read.

An update of a book written in 2002, in larger f ormat with much more information and many more photographs. The sheer quality of the book impresses. The writing occasionally slips into pilots' slang, which jars - I see this as a forgiveable feature rather than a serious fault. I doubt if there is anything more to write about this major cold war aircraft.

Have been looking forward to this volume for a few months and am not disappointed. Truly excellent with plenty of colour side profiles in addition to the hundreds of photographs in both colour and black and white. Looking forward to the next volume in this series MIG17due next May. Hope the authors also cover the TU16 & MIG25. Excellent and especially at the price I paid from Speedyhen. Essential reading for any Russian/Soviet military aircraft buff.