Sukhoi Su-7 & Su-20

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Издательство: Stratus

Серия: Polish Wings 9

Автор: Dariusz Karnas

Язык: English

Год издания: 2009

Количество страниц: 58

ISBN: 978-83-89450-96-8

Формат: pdf

Размер: 37,4 mb

The newest title in the growing Polish Wings series moves beyond the Second World War and into jets, covering an aircraft that many find interesting and attractive. The Sukhoi Su-7 and its descendants formed a major part of the Polish Air Force during the Cold War in the fighter-bomber role. Although not operated in huge numbers, the Su-7 and Su-20 had a long life with the Polish Air Force, and this book does an excellent job of documenting each one of these planes.

The book is divided into specific sections covering the Su-7/Su-20 variants. The first Sukhoi variant the Poles received was the Su-7BM, with six aircraft serving with the 5 PLMSz. The next variant was the upgraded Su-7BKL, which had subtle visual differences over the Su-7BM. A total of 31 Su-7BKL aircraft were delivered, and these, combined with the Su-7BM, remained in service until 1990. Eight Su-7U two-seat trainer aircraft were received as well, to aid in transitioning to a supersonic jet.

The Su-20 was the export designation of the Su-17, which was a variable wing geometry development of the Su-7. In the early 1970s, the Polish Air Force selected this aircraft as the replacement for its ageing Il-28 fleet. Twenty-seven Su-20s were delivered to Poland, and these aircraft remained in service from the 1970s through to the mid 1990s, finally retiring in 1997.

The presentation of these aircraft in this book is quite thorough, with extensive photographs and careful documentation of camouflage schemes on the later Su-20s. Color profile illustrations highlight the various marking changes, mainly in the form of nose numbers in the early aircraft. Multi-view illustrations mark out the complex camouflage patterns found on the Su-20, and careful research has resulted in a comprehensive list of the specific colors used (no, not all Su-20s had the same camouflage colors).

For anyone interested in Polish aviation, or the Su-7/20 in general, this is an outstanding book to have. It is nicely written, amply illustrated, and well researched. My thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for the review copy.

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