If one believes the authors, since WWII, no other warplane has been built in greater number (over 10,000) and has served in more air forces than any other fighter (the C-130 has served in more and has been in production longer but isn't a fighter). Surely a most enviable record for a fighter aircraft.

In 1953, while the Korean War was raging on, the Soviet military was looking for a next generation fighter. MiG was tasked for this as they had a wide variety of prototypes and specialty aircraft already, and had done such a great job with its line of fighters that it was natural that they continue.

They also had a reputation for getting things into the air quickly. It was decided to develop a series of similar aircraft with different wing configurations to see which would be the best in terms of speed and maneuverability. This started with the Ye-2, which had a MiG-21 looking fuselage with MiG-19 type wings. This was followed by the Ye-4 that had a triangular delta wing. The Ye-50 was like the Ye-2, but had an auxiliary rocket motor. This latter aircraft was not developed. It was finally decided on a Ye-4 derivative and the MiG-21 was born.

The initial aircraft had but a canon and two missiles, but was blindingly fast and able to reach altitude quite quickly. It also had a very limited range and was basically a point defense interceptor. Eventually the airframe was developed through a number of different variants until it matured as a capable interceptor and fighter bomber, an aircraft that is still being upgraded to even greater capabilities.

The authors are well known for their work on Soviet/Russian aircraft and have done their usual superlative work on this book. We learn of the different variants of the aircraft, the development of the two seat plane, the rather large number that were and are built in China with all the different Chinese variants. We also learn of its war record, one that isn't bad, but could have been better. Then there are the upgrades to the airframe and foreign operators. This is all further enhanced by a color photo section and a small modelers section, which spends most of its limited pages talking about one kit out of over 50! This is followed by several pages of drawings in the popular 1/112 scale of the five major variants.

Once again, an outstanding book from the fine folks at Specialty Press. This is another MUST HAVE .

Review book courtesy of , where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that has over 350,000 visits a month, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.