having been acquainted with Simon over many years – he has taken some wonderful pictures of Mig’s from his various visits to the IAF

Simon’s first book – Sukhoi Su-MKI in Indian Service was published recently (Aviation Bookshop) – possibly one on Migs and Mirage 2000 H will follow.

I agree – the differentiating factor between WAPJ and WOF was current vs historical and the focus aircraft was at least 50-60 pages with original and often color cross-sections , colour blowups and original photos vs IAPR which needs to marry both needs .

however in those days the internet was’nt as informative nor forums like this and acig in existence so in general the publications were in demand.

IAPR started out well with Vol 1 starting with PLAAF coverage and every alternate issue covered a non US aircraft which was a great USP and some very original articles from all over the world from writers like Alexander Mladonov etc- however till about Vol 15 I remained a subscriber – till production delays and rehashed articles and coverage of aircraft like UAV and Jaguar made me log out .

To a large extent the previous Aerospace team in the UK had a great collection of artists like the late Keith Fretwell who contributed to the successful partworks series in the UK and great artworks.

Airtime has realised that they have to cater primarily to the US market and hence constant corrections to include more articles of US interest – however I have noted with interest Vol 22 and 25 covering J-10 and possibly Mig-25 so I will be buying those when I next head back to the US.

However the quality of printing and photos have not been compromised – not sure why they continue to refuse to entertain technical articles.

Glanced thru the book at Ian Allen’s Waterloo shop last week – was a bit disappointed

Had cutout drawings – but the all old ones and not even in color unlike Fomin’s russian language third edition Flankers which looks far better

Did not see any of Su 34

Will not recommend over Fomin’s book – though it may have later information on the variants not woth GBP 35

I have also seen a program on DISCOVERY on the greatest ever 10 fighter planes and helicopters – quite interesting and debatable

Arthur – this one for you

Yes you are right – Yefim Gordon has not published anything major yet on the Tu 16 Badger in English – but hold it ( Midland’s Aerofax series has announced the missing work again by Yefim Gordon and Vladimir Rigamant around June 2004 for GBP 20 – talk about timing !! The duo had also written the earlier work on the Tu22/Tu22Mx in the same series which I found to be good except on the combat operational data which is quite suspect at times.

In the meantime Lt Col Artemyev’s superb monograph on the Badger in IAPR vol 9 is the best English work I have seen.