Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker: Air Superiority Fighter [Hardcover]

Yefim Gordon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 27, 2000

The Su-27 entered service with the Russian Air Force in the mid-1980s. This comprehensive history is based on documents supplied from Sukhoi, interviews with design and engineering employees of the company, and all available information that has been published on this deadly aircraft. Contains development history, operational service history, technical details, and explanations of each model in the range. Technical drawings, photos, and text combine to make this the ultimate Sukhoi Su-27 reference.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Russian

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: The Crowood Press; illustrated edition edition (August 27, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1840370297
• ISBN-13: 978-1840370294
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,189,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very passionate author, February 8, 2006

By 

Ong Tso Sheng (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker: Air Superiority Fighter (Hardcover)

This book, like the others by the same author, are the most comprehensive books about russian aircraft. It covers history,development, production, deployment and even some comparison with contemporary western fighters. Despite this it is still a very readable book and does not get bogged down with technical jargon and numbers.

The author himself seems to have a real passion for aviation subject and this shows in the book, making it very enjoyable to read. Having said that however, the author does have a very slight bias towards russian aircraft. A VERY SLIGHT one.

Most of the information is in the text, though it has some interesting photos of key components or variants.

Overall, a very good book that has alot of background information yet still easy to read. A feat in itself.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A fine technical work, but filled with bias, April 29, 2011

By 

Jonathan L. Lotton "Oregon ANG freak" (Trail, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker: Air Superiority Fighter (Hardcover)

As a technical work tracing the design, flight test and systems history of the Su-27, this is a fine work and invaluable for its photos and drawings.

That being said, the author is no historian, and it shows. He relates a story in which a pair of Su-27UB's visited the US in the early 90's and engaged with 1st Fighter Wing F-15's out of Langley AFB, Virigina. He then goes further to claim that the Eagles were completely unable to defeat the Flankers in DACT (dissimilar air combat training)and it was not published due to "USAF attempts to hide a mock defeat".

Simply put..it didnt happen. Aside from the fact that for diplomatic reasons it would never be permitted, it was technically not feasable to conduct said training at Langley. Mr. Gordon falls into the trap that many pro-Russian authors stumble into, in that he almost completely ignores USAF sources and takes Russian sources at face value. This is a similar failing to his work on the MiG-15, which is also available here.

In short, the book is great as a work on the Sukhoi 27, but as a work of history in comparison with other fighters in the world, and "training events" with them, it is little more than "fanboy" garbage and should be avoided.