This is the latest in the Squadron/Signal Aircraft in Action series and one that I never thought would be seen. I might also say it is about time. The book is in the standard  8½ x 11 format that all In Action books are. There are 50 pages chock full of photographs as well as 10 profiles in the center and two more nice pieces of artwork on the back cover.

The SB was developed during a time in the early 1930s that the Soviets were at the forefront of aviation technology and could be said to have the finest air force in the world. Of course, when living and working in a repressive society, these things don't last and while the Soviet aircraft industry rested on its laurels, the rest of the world caught up and passed them. In many respects, the air force that went to war in 1941 was woefully obsolete in comparison to its enemies. Yet the SB continued to soldier on until the end of the war.

When it was first developed, the SB was the height of a modern bomber. It was so fast that it needed no escort as it could easily outrun most fighters of the day. When it arrived in combat during the early days of the Spanish Civil War, it was a most unpleasant surprise to the opposition. The same can be said for its use against the Japanese in the short Manchurian war. The aircraft was eventually used by China, Spain, and Finland. The Czechs liked the aircraft so much that they obtained a license to build it as the B-71. Once the Germans overran Czechoslovakia, the B-71 was used by the Luftwaffe as a fast target tug and general courier aircraft. The SB was developed in the Soviet Union through three major and several minor variants, including that of a civil airliner and fast mail plane.

All these variants are covered in the book with a lot of photographs to show the salient differences between them. Unlike many of the In Action books, there is more historical background in this one, something that I like as there is precious little out there on this most important Soviet Bomber.

I found this book to be a fascinating read and I'm sure you will to. It is a book that I can highly recommend to all.

November 2004

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