Mikoyan MiG-31 (Famous Russian Aircraft) (Hardcover)

by Yefim Gordon (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The MiG-31 Foxhound long-range interceptor flew in prototype form as the Ye-155MP in 1975 and entered production in 1979, with the first regiments becoming operational in 1982. It has also been sold to China, and it remains in service in significant numbers. Yefim Gordon, the doyen of Russian aviation writers, continues to amass an outstanding archive of previously unpublished materials. Though the MiG-31 was covered to some extent in the now out-of- print and sought-after Aerofax on the MiG-25 and -31, this new book will be close to a definitive work on this important aircraft and include an enormous amount of newly released and acquired information and a splendid array of unpublished photographs (including detailed walk-around shots) and drawings. The narrative of course includes detailed discussion of the background to the project, its development, versions, service, weaponry, and comparisons with its contemporaries such as the F-14 Tomcat. The aircraft is a favorite with enthusiasts and modelers, and the extensive coverage, both technical and operational, backed up by high-quality images and drawings, will have wide appeal. This book is intended as the first of an occasional series of in-depth monographs on major Russian types.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Midland Pub Ltd (December 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857802195
• ISBN-13: 978-1857802191
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #597,093 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best MiG 31 Resource to date, June 3, 2007

By	C. Paffhausen (Michigan USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Yefim Gordon has done it again. He has cranked out yet another great book on Russian/fSoviet aircraft and weapons systems. In this book Yefim covers the MiG-31 Foxhound. There are in depth statistics, including Radar modes and performance, Weapon system modes and performance, Weapons, and the general aircraft performance. About the only think I see wrong in the book is that it was apparently written LONG before 2005 publish date. I would guess the book was actually written in 1999-2000 due to the references to new production ideas from 2000 as the latest reference in the book. I am glad I added this book to my extensive Mil Aircraft library. I will continue to pick up other books from this series by Yefim.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book on Mig 31, March 16, 2007

By	Krishna Jagannath "KrishnaJaga" (London,UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The definitive book on the Mig 31 with excellent photos and technical information

A cross sectional cut-out view would have been nice - a good comparison with the F-14 Tomcat - this is one book where Yefim Gordon has done justice to a cold war warrior

5.0 out of 5 stars Does Yefim Gordon have a real life?, April 16, 2009

By	Jim Davis (Maryland Heights, MO USA) - See all my reviews

One wouldn't think so based on his prodigious output.

If this first volume in a new series, "Famous Russian Aircraft", doesn't bury the common perception that the MiG-31 is just a warmed over MiG-25 it's hard to imagine just what would. This is a superb book in just about every regard. About the only slip ups noted were a.) a lack of captions for the jacket photos and b.) inconsistency about which pylons the ferry tanks are hung on. The early western artist's impression on p. 56 is taken to task for showing them on the outer pylons yet all photos and drawings in the book show them on the outer pylons as well!

There were a few unexpected omissions in a book with such high production values:

1.) No index.
2.) No glossary/list of acronyms.
3.) No maps. For a book aimed primarily at a non Russian audience this is really a serious shortcoming.
4.) No production list, although for an aircraft still in Russian service this is understandable.

I shall definitely be checking out other titles in this series. I sincerely hope this series doesn't mean the end of Midland's Red Star series. No new titles have been announced in some time. Maybe there are only 24 hours in Gordon's day...