SOVIET AIR FORCE FIGHTER COLOURS 1941-1945

The most detailed study ever published in the English language on the camouflage and markings of the fighter aircraft of the Soviet Air Force during World War II. With information drawn from previously inaccessible Russian archives, the author firstly presents a detailed analysis of the developments, trends, patterns and irregularities of the colour systems seen on Russian fighters, and offers a fascinating insight into the workings of the Soviet manufacturing system responsible for this task. There then follows a technical study of each of the main fighter aircraft and variants including the Lavochkin LaGG-3, the Lavochkin La-5, -5FN and -7, the MiG I-200, MiG-1 and MiG-3, the Polikarpov I-15, I-152, I-153, the I-16, the Yakovlev Yak-1, Yak-7, UTI-26, Yak-9 and Yak-3, as well as notable prototypes and developmental aircraft. Variants, weapons and equipment are all detailed. Each technical description is followed by a detailed description of camouflage and markings - factory-applied, field variations and seasonal. The text is supported by hundreds of rare and previously unpublished photographs and more than forty commissioned full-colour artwork subjects. Furthermoure, hundreds of colour illustrations portray the immense variety of patterns related to this fascinating subject.