Military Model Scene

Title: Russian Bombers
Author: David Baker
Publisher: Tempest Books
ISBN: 978-1-911704-13-3

This 210-page hard-cover book from Tempest books is a recent addition to their range. It examines the topic of Russian Bombers from WW2 through to the present day.
The opening chapter looks back to WW2, when Russia was one of the countries in WW2 which only produced a small number of 4-engined heavy bombers, quite unlike the large bomber fleets built up by both the UK and the USA. It was around the end of the war when Russia devoted more time to re-engineer the American B-29 design, a result that became the Tupolev TU-4. A modern design but without the expense of the original development work done in the US, and with features more advanced that those then on the drawing boards of Russian designers. It also includes reference to the fact that Russia supplied the Tu-4 to China, who also produced them, even developing their own AEW (Airborne Early Warning) variant, the KJ-1. The chapters then move forward to cover engine development, again shortened thanks to the capture of German jet and rocket technology at the end of the war. There are plenty of designs included which I was unaware of, which did not get into production/service, before we get to the long-range bombers that many of us will be more familiar with, particularly the turboprop powered Tu-95, the Bear, and the quest for supersonic bombers, which led to the swing-wing Tu-22M Backfire along with the even larger Tu-160 Blackjack. These went into service, and remain in use, along with continued upgrades and changes in the armament they carry. There have been other designs which are featured, but these are not the ones to be in service. These aircraft came under the umbrella of various arms/nuclear reduction treaties so those remaining in service have continued in use, most recently of course in Ukraine, where they had once been based as part of the Soviet Union as was. In the final chapters, looking at the current situation, there has been talk of updating the Russian Air Force, but losses and costs of the war in Ukraine may have delayed that for now.
There are numerous photos throughout the text, as well as plenty of drawings showing designs that never reached the production stage. There is even a tentative artists impression of a new flying wing design, though whether that has gone any further is as yet unknown. There are some fascinating stories in here, many of which I had been quite unaware of. I found it an interesting read.
Thanks to Tempest Books for the review copy.

Robin