Chinese Aircraft [978190210904]
Date Added: Tuesday 08. September, 2009
The authors Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov have put out another book about little known projects from the far east. Both authors are world famous for their research into Russian aircraft history and have published more than 150 books on the subject. This time they have done amazing research into the little known Chinese aviation industry. The book has easy to read text and is lavishly illustrated with crisp clear photos and many, many detailed line drawings and color side-view paintings.
When communist China and the Soviet Union were on good terms in the 1950’s, the Soviet Union assisted the Chinese Government to set up manufacturing facilities to build planes of Soviet design. Since the Mig 17 (J-6 Chinese designation), the Chinese have been building and eventually designing their own aircraft. The primary design/manufacturing companies are Avic, SAIG (Shanghai Aviation Industries Group), Xian, and Shenyang.
The book is formatted in a logical manner: Chapter 1 covers the industry manufacturers and the leaders. Chapter 2: Fighters, Chapter 3: Bombers, Chapter 4: Trainers, Chapter 5: Strike Aircraft, Chapter 6 thru 10 are Airliners, Transporters, utility, helicopters and UAV’s.
The book goes into great detail of design through development, and all variants of the aircraft including the engines. The multitude of illustrations is a gem for modelers looking for unique and colorful ways to paint and decal their model.
I found the ‘fighters’ and ‘strike aircraft’ section to be most interesting. I am humbled at how little I knew about all the aircraft that the Chinese have developed. I was also surprised to learn that the Pakistani and Indian Air Force are supplied by the Chinese as well.
Now for the first time, Chinese Aircraft records the Chinese aircraft industry developments and achievements; and provides a complete list of all aircraft produced presenting a unique insight into this previously unknown world. I am hoping this book will motivate the model kit producers into making more models of Chinese designed aircraft. The only company doing this is Trumpeter. They have produced kits in 1/72 and 1/144 scale so far (and they are based in China). I have really enjoyed this reference book because of the style that the authors used to highlight all the aircraft. I am very motivated to buy kits of these aircraft now and, in some cases, do some conversions of Russian aircraft to Chinese variants!
Hats off to Mr Gordon and Komissarov to a well produced book. Again they have enlightened us all on what goes on in the far eastern world of aviation!
Thanks to IPMS USA and Specialty Press for allowing me to read this wonderful book. I will refer back to it over and over.
Adam Johnson, IPMS# 46619
IPMSUSA
When communist China and the Soviet Union were on good terms in the 1950’s, the Soviet Union assisted the Chinese Government to set up manufacturing facilities to build planes of Soviet design. Since the Mig 17 (J-6 Chinese designation), the Chinese have been building and eventually designing their own aircraft. The primary design/manufacturing companies are Avic, SAIG (Shanghai Aviation Industries Group), Xian, and Shenyang.
The book is formatted in a logical manner: Chapter 1 covers the industry manufacturers and the leaders. Chapter 2: Fighters, Chapter 3: Bombers, Chapter 4: Trainers, Chapter 5: Strike Aircraft, Chapter 6 thru 10 are Airliners, Transporters, utility, helicopters and UAV’s.
The book goes into great detail of design through development, and all variants of the aircraft including the engines. The multitude of illustrations is a gem for modelers looking for unique and colorful ways to paint and decal their model.
I found the ‘fighters’ and ‘strike aircraft’ section to be most interesting. I am humbled at how little I knew about all the aircraft that the Chinese have developed. I was also surprised to learn that the Pakistani and Indian Air Force are supplied by the Chinese as well.
Now for the first time, Chinese Aircraft records the Chinese aircraft industry developments and achievements; and provides a complete list of all aircraft produced presenting a unique insight into this previously unknown world. I am hoping this book will motivate the model kit producers into making more models of Chinese designed aircraft. The only company doing this is Trumpeter. They have produced kits in 1/72 and 1/144 scale so far (and they are based in China). I have really enjoyed this reference book because of the style that the authors used to highlight all the aircraft. I am very motivated to buy kits of these aircraft now and, in some cases, do some conversions of Russian aircraft to Chinese variants!
Hats off to Mr Gordon and Komissarov to a well produced book. Again they have enlightened us all on what goes on in the far eastern world of aviation!
Thanks to IPMS USA and Specialty Press for allowing me to read this wonderful book. I will refer back to it over and over.
Adam Johnson, IPMS# 46619
IPMSUSA
Rating: 
[5 of 5 Stars!]
[5 of 5 Stars!]
