Military Model Scene

Title: Defending Rodinu Vol.1
Author: Krzystof Dabrowski
Publisher: Helion & Co
ISBN: 978-1-915070-71-5

Build-up and Operational History of the Soviet Air Defence Force 1945-1960. A 72-page soft-cover book that is number 20 in the Europe @ War series from Helion & Co., and the first volume to cover the topic, the air defence system of the Russian 'motherland' over the early years, from the end of WW2 up to 1960.
It starts at the end of WW2, after Russia had not had to face the kind of strategic bombing that Germany did during the war, as the Luftwaffe never created the type of bomber force that the RAF and USAAF did. With the coming of the Cold War, the Russian leadership felt they faced the huge offensive force then operated by the West so began to develop a defensive system against the possible attack as they saw it. It involves three particular elements, with ground defences, guns and later surface to air missiles, radar and airborne interceptors. It was a time when technology was going through great change, with jet aircraft development, improving radar and the introduction of SAM systems, notably the SA-2. To tie these together needed a control system and with such a vast area that made up Russia/the Soviet Union, it presented plenty of problems to be solved, and it wasn't all 'right first time'. While the bombing campaign never happened, there were reconnaissance overflights which they didn't appreciate. One of the stories covered in the book is the famous shooting down of the U-2 flown by Gary Powers, but there are other incidents a well, perhaps less well known. There was a PB4Y-2 Privateer downed in the Baltic in 1950, an RB-29A in the Far East, an RB-47H over the Bering Sea and a C-130A which came down over Soviet Armenia. Amongst these there were also problems of their own, with examples of some of their own aircraft being shot down by mistake, after identification errors. These stories and more are all included, accompanied by maps, plenty of archive photos and 7-pages of fine colour profiles for a good mix of aircraft involved in the story.
There is a lot in here I hadn't known about before, and I found it interesting reading. Beyond the famous event surrounding the U-2 of Gary Powers, there were a lot of other incidents which are less well known. It was also nice to see the changes among the early Russian jets, from the Mig-15, -17 and -19, as well as one I knew little about, the Yak-25 and the Lavochkin La-250 Anakonda. I've enjoyed the first volume so will be keen to see that we get in volume 2 when it come. Another good addition to the series.
Thanks to Helion & Co for the review copy.

Robin