OKB Sukhoi: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft [Hardcover]

Yefim Gordon (Author), Dmitriy Komissarov (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 21, 2010

This book is the complete and definitive history of the famous Sukhoi Design Bureau, from its establishment in 1940 to the present day. Continuing the series of books exploring in detail the major Russian aviation companies, this is the most comprehensive study of Sukhoi ever undertaken, with every type of aircraft ever developed by the Sukhoi OKB dealt with in detail, with descriptions of all known versions and a wealth of recently declassified data. For each major type there are line drawings illustrating the difference between the versions, representative color side views, and specification tables showing the performance of different versions for comparison; production figures and information on Sukhoi aircraft operated abroad are also included. The book is illustrated with numerous hitherto unreleased photographs. This is an amazing piece of research and will be essential reading for all serious students of aviation history and the development of Sukhoi aircraft design.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 592 pages
• Publisher: Midland Publishing (January 21, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857803140
• ISBN-13: 978-1857803143
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #906,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a good reference, December 10, 2000

By 

Claudio Bompadre - See all my reviews

This review is from: OKB Sukhoi: A History of the Design Bureau & Its Aircraft (Hardcover)

"OKB SUKHOI" is the first comprehensive volume on one of the most famous soviet design bureau. A large part of what was known was based on intelligence database released during the cold war; this work is the first definitive insight of this team: many details are revealed by gathering informations and photographs published in original russian papers; some snapshots are from personal collections of engineers actually involved in bureau development and testing work. In fact many of them are rare examples and they include prototypes and research vehicles, previously unpublished in the west.

The text is accurate and a detailed description of design features, structures and systems is covered by having access to soviet engineering data. In this regard is important to remark that the metric system is a standard russian practice; if the reader is looking for a precise figure in tabular data, she/he must take into account the significant digits while computing own conversions to british system.

Even if its style is different from the western standard in aviation pubblication, this is a much needed book, really helpful to get a clear picture of the hystory of this famous bureau; above all it is a fine tribute of its leader, one of the most gifted genius in soviet aviation industry.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on Sukhoi Aircraft, August 5, 2010

By 

Nom de Radmac (Texas United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: OKB Sukhoi: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft (Hardcover)

Even though the prior version of this book was impressive, this one exceeds the prior version by a long shot and almost 300 additional pages. With almost 600 well illustrated pages and every version and variant of Sukhoi aircraft detailed via text, photos, and diagrams, there is likely to be no more comprehensive volume on Sukhoi, until another version of this book is released. This book is particularly valuable in detailing all of the various versions of the Su-27/33/35 Flanker and SU-17/22 Fitter. Almost every major and minor variant is illustrated with at least a side view diagram and many have three view diagrams. There are also extensive photos, including many in color. This book sets a new standard for works on Russian aircraft and is an essential volume in a library of modern military aircraft. I recommend this book without reservation.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nothing else worth reading available but a great first try, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: OKB Sukhoi: A History of the Design Bureau & Its Aircraft (Hardcover)

Interesting book but not as throrough as Gordon & Gunston one on MiGs aircraft, especialy when it comes to detailling TOW, fuel load, Sfc and evolution history on the recent types (i.e. MiG-29 versus Su-27 family). Nevetheless a reference book that should be on everyone interested in aviation bookshelf. But who will come up with an update on the Su-24/32/35/37 family ?