Sukhoi Su-27 & 30/33/34/35: Famous Russian Aircraft
Product ID: 74235561
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The Sukhoi Design Bureau was tasked in 1969 with developing a fourth-generation heavy fighter and thus began the story of the Su-27, known to the western world as the Flanker--an aircraft which turned out to be one of the most successful Soviet fighter designs. This book tells the story of how the original project developed, how the final configuration of what was known as the T-10 was selected and why the brave decision to scrap the original project and rework it as the T-10S was taken, a decision that proved to be justified. The book covers the design and testing of the prototypes in both configurations, the production entry of the basic Su-27 single-seat fighter and the Su-27UB two-seat combat trainer together with the efforts of Sukhoi to keep them up to date with mid-life upgrades to Generation 4++' (Su-35S) level. The operational histories of Su-27 versions including the Su-30/Su-34/Su-35 are also described. When the Soviet Navy decided to bolster its fleet with carriers optimized for conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) aircraft, Sukhoi responded by developing the Su-27K, which later entered service as the Su-33, Russia's first operational CTOL shipboard fighter. These naval variants are included in the book as is a chapter describing the story of how China purchased license manufacturing rights for the Su-27 and went on to develop its own versions with indigenous avionics and weapons, including the basic J-11 fighter and the J-15 Flying Shark--a clone of the Su-33. The post-Soviet republics included, the Su-27/Su-30/Su-34/Su-35 family has seen service with nearly 20 nations, including places as far apart as Vietnam, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Angola, India and Venezuela. The book describes in depth the development and operational career of the Su-27 family, including mid-life upgrades and the latest variants, and features detailed fleet lists. Richly illustrated with color photographs, line drawings and color profiles of the various color schemes carried by the type, this is the definitive work on a truly outstanding aircraft. Review: An absolute monsterpiece - Okay, I know that "monsterpiece" isn't a real word, but when considering books such as this, it seems appropriate. This is the biggest single-aircraft history I've ever owned and among the most beautifully illustrated and in-depth. At 720 pages, it's the biggest book in the "Famous Russian Aircraft" series to date, and of the eight I've purchased so far, certainly the best. Although it does occasionally veer towards self-indulgence, and the editing could be better in places (the "Tupolev Su-27" on the jacket and spine is one of the more perplexing publishing errors I've encountered), there's no denying that this is the definitive English-language book on the "Flanker" series, and it's unlikely a better one will be published any time soon. Originally published in 2007, this new edition describes a number of new developments, including the development of new variants, further export orders, the type's combat debut in the Syrian Civil War, and the reorganization of the Russian Air Force. This new edition boasts more than 1,700 photographs (most in color), 300 color profiles, and more than 180 line diagrams. The format is essentially the same as other Crecy-published "FRA" titles, with introductory chapters on the design and development of the type, chapters on each member of the Flanker family with descriptions of each sub-variant, a history of the aircraft in Russian service, and a final chapter briefly describing the aircraft's service with foreign air forces. I don't have a physical copy of the 2007 edition to do a direct side-by-side comparison, but I CAN compare it with the digital copy on Scribd. Unlike many "updated" books, this is a complete top-to-bottom revision rather than a simple surgical grafting of new material. The format is completely different, the text has been expanded a great deal and updated to early/mid-2018, and there's a huge number of new illustrations. The development of the T-10 and the early service SU-27s is now described in much greater detail. The technical material has been spread around quite a bit, with three-views and photographs incorporated into each type's chapter, rather than dumped into a single "in detail" chapter. The photographs tend to be smaller, but seem to be sharper and more colorful this time. The section on airshow performances has been cut down substantially, and the chapter comparing the "Flanker" with Western fighters has been omitted altogether. Some may find this disappointing but considering that the type is now combat-tested in Syria, and the latter chapter was largely an exercise in hypothetical grandstanding, I didn't miss them too much. Although Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov aren't exactly the world's most compelling aviation writers (they struggle with English colloquialisms, and can't keep their political opinions to themselves), it's impossible to ignore the sheer scale and audacity of this work. It's huge, beautiful, and definitive, and if you're a fan of these planes, or couldn't justify spending the $200+ the original edition currently goes for, it belongs on your shelf. Review: Comprehensive review of Sukhoi's "Flanker" development, export and service worldwide - The First edition of the "Flanker" books by Yefin Gordon was edited exclusively by him and covered only the Su-27 variant of the NATO code name "Flanker" series. This volume now adds his relatively recent co-writer, Dmmitriy Komissarov and the volume now includes more recent Su-30 family, Su33, Su-34, and Su-35 - including an extensive chapter necessary to cover the Russian navy variants. Each of the 14 chapters, Ch. 13 covering military operations in Syria and elsewhere, and Ch. 14 covering export successes worldwide. Each section devoted to a particular aircraft (Su-30, etc.) includes a summary of its development and a chapter section called "in detail", devoted to the specifics of the aircraft (fuselage, engines, wings, tail, landing gears, control systems - including fire radar and fire control components, defensive systems - including decoys, warning systems, etc, crew details, and, armament. Throughout, Russian designations and a translation of specific terms from the Russian are provided. In the 705 pages, the books is also extensively illustrated with color photos, including cockpit photos, armament options, and most impressive color plates of individual development thru operational aircraft - of not only the Russian aircraft, but those of air forces (Uzbekistan, Algeria, Angola, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Ukraine, etc.). Included in this section is coverage o the original Chinese (PLAAF) bought Su-27SK aircraft. A complete chapter covers Chinese variants (Flankers with a Chinese flavour), beginning with initial J-11 and proceeding thru the latest J-15 and new J-16D ECM aircraft variant. Included are extensive color profiles rarely see of PLAAF aircraft. Excepting the Chinese-variant chapter, each of the others includes complete known production aircraft listings, a listing of Specifications for variants from prototypes thru production aircraft (including latest PLAAF J-16), 3-view drawings, unit (squadron and regiment) badges, and weapon options available for each variant. Bottom line: intelligence officers during the Cold War would have given eye teeth (maybe more....) to have this detail about the Sukhoi "Flanker" family, which continues in production today, and continues to be upgraded for both Russian and foreign air forces. If one has an interest in modern Russian aeronautics, aircraft designs, weapon system and their operation - this is a must volume!
| Best Sellers Rank | #3,784,802 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #6,603 in Military Aviation History (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 170 Reviews |
D**R
An absolute monsterpiece
Okay, I know that "monsterpiece" isn't a real word, but when considering books such as this, it seems appropriate. This is the biggest single-aircraft history I've ever owned and among the most beautifully illustrated and in-depth. At 720 pages, it's the biggest book in the "Famous Russian Aircraft" series to date, and of the eight I've purchased so far, certainly the best. Although it does occasionally veer towards self-indulgence, and the editing could be better in places (the "Tupolev Su-27" on the jacket and spine is one of the more perplexing publishing errors I've encountered), there's no denying that this is the definitive English-language book on the "Flanker" series, and it's unlikely a better one will be published any time soon. Originally published in 2007, this new edition describes a number of new developments, including the development of new variants, further export orders, the type's combat debut in the Syrian Civil War, and the reorganization of the Russian Air Force. This new edition boasts more than 1,700 photographs (most in color), 300 color profiles, and more than 180 line diagrams. The format is essentially the same as other Crecy-published "FRA" titles, with introductory chapters on the design and development of the type, chapters on each member of the Flanker family with descriptions of each sub-variant, a history of the aircraft in Russian service, and a final chapter briefly describing the aircraft's service with foreign air forces. I don't have a physical copy of the 2007 edition to do a direct side-by-side comparison, but I CAN compare it with the digital copy on Scribd. Unlike many "updated" books, this is a complete top-to-bottom revision rather than a simple surgical grafting of new material. The format is completely different, the text has been expanded a great deal and updated to early/mid-2018, and there's a huge number of new illustrations. The development of the T-10 and the early service SU-27s is now described in much greater detail. The technical material has been spread around quite a bit, with three-views and photographs incorporated into each type's chapter, rather than dumped into a single "in detail" chapter. The photographs tend to be smaller, but seem to be sharper and more colorful this time. The section on airshow performances has been cut down substantially, and the chapter comparing the "Flanker" with Western fighters has been omitted altogether. Some may find this disappointing but considering that the type is now combat-tested in Syria, and the latter chapter was largely an exercise in hypothetical grandstanding, I didn't miss them too much. Although Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov aren't exactly the world's most compelling aviation writers (they struggle with English colloquialisms, and can't keep their political opinions to themselves), it's impossible to ignore the sheer scale and audacity of this work. It's huge, beautiful, and definitive, and if you're a fan of these planes, or couldn't justify spending the $200+ the original edition currently goes for, it belongs on your shelf.
G**R
Comprehensive review of Sukhoi's "Flanker" development, export and service worldwide
The First edition of the "Flanker" books by Yefin Gordon was edited exclusively by him and covered only the Su-27 variant of the NATO code name "Flanker" series. This volume now adds his relatively recent co-writer, Dmmitriy Komissarov and the volume now includes more recent Su-30 family, Su33, Su-34, and Su-35 - including an extensive chapter necessary to cover the Russian navy variants. Each of the 14 chapters, Ch. 13 covering military operations in Syria and elsewhere, and Ch. 14 covering export successes worldwide. Each section devoted to a particular aircraft (Su-30, etc.) includes a summary of its development and a chapter section called "in detail", devoted to the specifics of the aircraft (fuselage, engines, wings, tail, landing gears, control systems - including fire radar and fire control components, defensive systems - including decoys, warning systems, etc, crew details, and, armament. Throughout, Russian designations and a translation of specific terms from the Russian are provided. In the 705 pages, the books is also extensively illustrated with color photos, including cockpit photos, armament options, and most impressive color plates of individual development thru operational aircraft - of not only the Russian aircraft, but those of air forces (Uzbekistan, Algeria, Angola, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Ukraine, etc.). Included in this section is coverage o the original Chinese (PLAAF) bought Su-27SK aircraft. A complete chapter covers Chinese variants (Flankers with a Chinese flavour), beginning with initial J-11 and proceeding thru the latest J-15 and new J-16D ECM aircraft variant. Included are extensive color profiles rarely see of PLAAF aircraft. Excepting the Chinese-variant chapter, each of the others includes complete known production aircraft listings, a listing of Specifications for variants from prototypes thru production aircraft (including latest PLAAF J-16), 3-view drawings, unit (squadron and regiment) badges, and weapon options available for each variant. Bottom line: intelligence officers during the Cold War would have given eye teeth (maybe more....) to have this detail about the Sukhoi "Flanker" family, which continues in production today, and continues to be upgraded for both Russian and foreign air forces. If one has an interest in modern Russian aeronautics, aircraft designs, weapon system and their operation - this is a must volume!
T**G
Comprehensive book on the SU-27 family
I was skeptical about this book until I look at it being 700 plus pages it has to be good and with the author that I know. the book is very detail and it covers from the very 1st prototype to the production SU-27! and further go to the SU27 sub variants. What suprise me is the inclusion of the CHinese SU-27/30 series plus the J11, J15 and J16.... wow! Very good and detail close up shots. Illustrations and color plates was really good to show the different aircraft configuration in camouflage pattern. This book also include the SU34 and SU35 showing off the latest photos... Finally the inclusion of different country's SU and their color plates. All in all a very satisfied customer .. any researcher, military buff and Aviation MOdeller need to have this book on the SU series! and I am looking to get the MIG29/35 and the MIG23/27 series book to come...
W**G
Well worth it at three times the price!
This updated volume will be the authoritative tome on the Flanker family for a long time. Yefim Gordon kills it again with incredible photographs, detailed analyses, and thorough history describing this nemesis of the western fourth generation fighter. He leaves no stone unturned as he describes every sub type of the aircraft, its systems, armament, markings, foreign customers, and users around the globe. At 720 pages you literally cannot put it down. This came out just in time as I was about to pay $300 for the first edition from a decade ago. I have nearly all Mr. Gordon’s books and I plan on adding all the new volumes in the series. These books are irreplaceable references for the historian, modeler, and aviation enthusiast!
D**Y
Excellent, with one strange error.
I want to start by saying I actually love the book...six hundred plus pages of comprehensive information, photos, charts, etc. about one of my all time favorite aircraft ever developed...the Sukhoi SU-27 (including all of it’s variants, versions, upgrades) and well, you get the idea. Having said that, I am mystified as how the (correct) Sukhoi name is on the dust sleeve and at the top of every page within the book, how did the ‘Tupolev’ name get printed on the spine of the book ( as shown in the photo)? I admit, it’s a minor quibble when the quality overall is top notch, just wondering how such a blatant error wasn’t caught. Still, for any aviation enthusiasts out there like myself, I highly recommend.
A**R
Very Comprehensive
The book is a beast at over 700 pages, and it is very thorough. It goes into great detail about the technical development and other aspects of the SU-27 family. If you want more than just a general overview and some nice pictures, this book will give you something to chew on. It is more focused on the airframe and aerodynamics than electronics or powerplants, but it does a reasonable job of covering those as well. The photographs are very good, and fit nicely with the text. The side views and tables are also good.
T**P
Fabulous book, highly recommended
I'm in awe. This is my 2nd Yefim Gordon/Dmitriy Komissarov book, and the quality is top-notch. Full of photos, illustrations, and technical sketches. The authors have done their research on this plane extensively. A super book for the full history of this super aircraft. Highly recommended.
M**E
A great Su-27 book
The authors never cease to amaze me on how hard they work on this book, including their other books. There are so much technical details to behold so it took me a while to read each books. My hat off to you, Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov. Yefim, I wish I was able to order your first Su-27 book because mine was damaged in the mail and now I could not order any more of them because the prices are so high. I'm hoping for a reprint.
M**O
TOP
Sono sempre stato un appassionato di questo bellissimo e spettacolare caccia e quando uscì la prima versione di questo libro non riuscì ad acquistarlo in tempo e i prezzi degli esemplari usati ancora in vendita schizzarono alle stelle (oltre 1200 euro). Questa versione, aggiornata, ampliata con aggiunte le diverse versioni della famiglia dei Flanker, rende questo libro decisamente più completo (ben 720 pagine) e oltre 3 kg di peso, per cui non ho perso un attimo ad ordinarlo. Qualche problema con Amazon, per l'ordine stranamente annullato. Poi mi sono rivolto ad un venditore terzo, e anche in quel caso un primo libro si è perso durante la spedizione, ma per fortuna il venditore ha inviato prontamente una nuova copia e finalmente sono riuscito ad entrarne in possesso. Ottima carta di qualità, numerose foto a colori e testo in inglese.
L**N
Einwandfrei.
Schnelle Lieferung, gute Verpackung. Sehr viele Informationen über die Su-27-Familie.
M**O
Descripción exhaustiva
Estos libros son la hostia, si quieres saber más sobre aviones rusos, estos libros te lo explican de la mejor manera. Datos de todos los modelos y versiones están incluidos a parte de las naciones que los usan.
A**R
Amazing
If, like me, you are contemplating buying this book as a modelling reference then i can really commend it, you don't exactly get complete walkaround pictures , but you do get an absolute abundance of photos, cutaways, profiles, pictures of the cockpits, and it has, what i will have to assume is literally encyclopedic background on the aircraft. If you could get a reference this size, at this price (36£) for equivalent US fighters i would be a happy man!. Hard to conceive this wouldn't be the only book you'd ever need for this airframe. I bought this to go along with an su33 kit i bought, and you just never do have enough pictures really, unless you go inch by inch! but this is a great book, its 800 pages and there are usually 5-6 colour photos per page. Highly recommended. If you bought the minibase su33 the su33 chapter(ch7) is 70 pages! Earlier in the book there are walkaround shots of an su27 ( the su33 is su27k) . Amazing book, i dont usually review books but this book deserves your money
F**U
たまらん
情報量の多さがはんぱじゃない。 Su-27〜Su-35Sに至る各フランカーの開発経緯が詳細に記載されている。 写真もカラーが多く、試作品の模型や試験時の写真、製造段階の写真も多数掲載されている。 始めて見た写真としては、T-10モックアップのコクピット写真や、サイドスティック試験用にメインのスティックとサイドスティックが双方付いたコクピットの写真だろうか。 何にせよ、普段『特集！Su-27』みたいな雑誌では端折られるような部分が読めるのは嬉しい。 また、後部には発行時点での製造機体シリアルナンバーや、識別ナンバーの一覧まで付いている。
Trustpilot
4 days ago
1 month ago