Yakovlev Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces, No. 64) [Paperback]

George Mellinger (Author), Jim Laurier (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 12, 2005

The Yak-1 entered Soviet service in 1941, one of three modern types of aircraft accepted for production just prior to the German invasion of the USSR. Despite initial shortcomings, it soon proved to be the thoroughbred of the Soviet Airforce. Indeed, it remained in production until the end of the war, modernized but fundamentally recognizable. By VE-day about 33,100 Yakovlev fighters had been built. Virtually all Soviet fighter regiments flew at least one variety of Yak for a time, including those which gained their fame identified with other aircraft, and consequently many pilots known as Airacobra or Lavochkin aces also scored victories with the Yak. Many other famous aces were exclusively ‘Yak patriots’, including the French Normandie pilots. This book focuses on the Soviet aces who scored all, or most of their victories in the Yak, drawing informaion from official unit histories and memoirs of the Soviet pilots themselves.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series combines full colour artwork, the best archival contemporary photography, and first hand accounts from aces to bring history's greatest airborne conflicts to life.

About the Author

George Mellinger is a specialist in Russian aviation history living in the United States. He is an associate of the Russian Aviation Research Group-Air Britain and a member of the Twin Cities Aero Historians. He is working on major studies of Soviet Air Force organisation and of Soviet aces. This is his third volume for Osprey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (April 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841768456
• ISBN-13: 978-1841768458
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,098,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yak Fighters in Action!, December 23, 2006

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yakovlev Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces, No. 64) (Paperback)

The Yakovlev series of fighters was a mainstay of the Russian Air Force in World War II. Entering service in 1941, the basic Yak model was progressively improved and saw service till war's end. The exploits of the aces who flew Yak-1, -3, -7 and -9 fighters are well-covered in this book, #64 in the Osprey 'Aircraft of the Aces' series.

The importance of Yakovlev fighters can be seen in the fact that, by war's end, over 32,000 Yak fighters were produced, more than any other aircraft except the IL-2 and the Bf 109! Most VVS fighter regiments flew Yaks at some point and aces such as Aleksandr Pokryshkin, Mikhail Baranov, Pavel Karavai, A. V. Vasilovich, Aleksandr Koldunov, Sultan Amet-Khan scored many or all of their kills while piloting Yaks. Along with relating the exploits of those aces, the book also includes a chapter on 'Special Pilots' who flew Yaks including Spanish, French, Polish and female pilots.

George Mellinger's volume is a typical quality Osprey production - concise text with many interesting details about dozens of Yak aces, almost 100 black and white photographs and 10 pages of nicely done color profiles by Jim Laurier.

In short, an entertaining, informative, well-illustrated introduction to Yak aces written by an acknowledged expert on the subject.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of most outstandihg Russian YaK Fighters against German most outsyanding Bf-109,and Fw-190 Fighters !, May 13, 2009

By 

Woong B. Lee - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yakovlev Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces, No. 64) (Paperback)

One of most outstanding,famous Russian Yak Fighter
against German most outstanding,famous Bf-109
and Fw-190 Fighters !

I am a american Historian,Now,Iintroduce Young Ki M00N,A amateur Military Aviation Researcher.
Seoul,Korea. and introduce a Book Review on this book.
Korean War started on 25,jUNE,1950. On this day, I could see the small,agile,blackish,
highly maneuverablesweeping up fighters after bombing Kimpo and Yei-do Air Field.
On 27,June,1950, I coul'd see the 1st Air Battle of Korean War,between F-82G Twin Mustang
and Yak-7U. After this battle, Yak-7U were Shot Downed.
Through this book,i can earn lots of Knowledges of from Design,manufacturing process,
Faster,lighyer, more maneuverable, more heavily armed, strong power are main aim of Russian
Philosophy. After Operation Barbarosa started Russian Air Force became "Sitting Duck" like
complete destruction under overwhelmiong,unexpected German bombers under the main cover of
Bf-109s.Entire retreat of Soviet started to Leningrad, Moscow and Stalingrad.
Before the this war, Yakovlev's yaK-1 project already started.
On the basis of Russian Military Aviation Philosophy,Improved versions of YaK Series continued.
YaK1--> yaK-1B-->YaK-7--> YaK-7-37(replace to 37mm Cannon)-->YaK-9T--> yAk-9D( for lopnger
distance)-->YaK-9DD(Longes Distance !.escorted B-17,B-24.Ground support for Yugoslavia)-->
Yak-9M(structual changes for increasing engine power,reached 397mph,with 20mm cannon)
Especially YaK-3 developed from YaK-1 !.
Soviet's memorable CO ( Uike USAF MAJ.Gen.Robin Old-- see my Refference"F-4 PHANTOMII VS
MIG-21. by Peter Davis,2008) Maj.Gen.Savitskii,Maj.Gen.Zakharov.
Col.Vasilii Stalin,son of Dictator Joseph Stalin, was incompetent officer who became
Commander of Air Forces of Moscow Military District.
I like add unexpected Air Battle between P-38 and YaK-9,Yak-3's over the Russian territory !.
7,Nov,1944,Navigation disoriented 12, P-38 invaded north west of Belgrade and attacked
Russian armoured infantry. Immediate scramble of 8,YaK-9 and 2,Yak-3 had a "Dogfighting"
without recognization of each others.In this book,Soviet claimed shot downed 4,P-38 and
losted 3, YaK's.On the other hand US claimed Shooting down 3,YaK's and losted 3,P-38.
Later,from another sources,Air Classic.Vol.38,No.8.2002. HQ OF 866 IAP.Report,
Soviet claimed 5,P-38 were shot downed by AAA,AND 3, Yak's downed by P-38 !
!

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid!!!!!, February 22, 2009

By 

Ira Kepford "Jolly Roger" (Springfield MO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yakovlev Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces, No. 64) (Paperback)

Using the obsolete I-16s and MiG-3s in combat against the Germans, Russian pilots were happy to see a new and improved aircraft enter service. Many pilots fell in love with the plane after trying it out. With superior speed, maneuverability, and firepower over the the older planes, the Yakovlev fighters were the new generation of air warfare.

This book another book of George Mellinger, that speaks volumes itself! George has deliver another absolutely wonderful book on Russian aces.
The book explains wonderfully about the Yak aces who fought from Russia to Berlin.
The book boasts 84 pages of facts you will need to learn about these aces. Mr. Mellinger even has female aces in the book! I found the color plates well drawn as always. I read this book for a few days and LOVED every minute of it.
This book has aces such as Aleksei Alelyukhin, Sergei Luganskii, Ivan Fyodorov and more! The information on the female aces was well done. The female aces were Yekaterina Budanova, Lilya Litvyak and Olga Yamshikova. I was surprised that Lityak, a female ace, was engaged to Salomatin, also an ace, during the war. But both were killed during the war, the former KIFA and latter MIA.
Look for my future reviews as I will review his other, `Russian Lend-Lease aces' book.
A fantastic book! Very highly recommended! A must have for anyone!