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| Soviet MiG-15 Aces of the Korean War (Aircraft of the Aces) | 
 enlarge | Author: Leonid Krylov
Creator: Yuriy Tepsurkaev
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $22.95
Buy New: $14.66
You Save: $8.29 (36%)
New (14) Used (5) from $14.66
Avg. Customer Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 174821
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 96
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 9.6 x 7.1 x 0.3
MPN: OSPACE082
ISBN: 1846032997
Dewey Decimal Number: 355
EAN: 9781846032998
ASIN: 1846032997
Publication Date: May 20, 2008
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Product Description
The Soviet Union began assisting the People's Republic of China in its establishment of a modern air force in 1950, when Soviet Air Force regiments were sent to train local pilots. China's involvement in the Korean War in late October 1950 inevitably drew Soviet pilots into the war. A total of 52 Soviet pilots scored five or more victories in the Korean War. The history of these covert actions has been a long-buried secret and this book will be the first English publication to detail the only instance when the Cold War between Russia and the US became "hot." This book uncovers Soviet combat experiences during the Korean War from detailed unit histories and rare first-hand accounts. With access to extensive Russian archives, the authors offer an enthralling insight into an air war that has been largely covered up and neglected, illustrated with previously unpublished photographs and detailed full-color profiles.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 The other side's story. June 9, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
It was an eye-opener to read this book. Not so many years ago it was not widely known that any Russian pilots flew in North Korean Mig-15s during the Korean War. We thought that there were a few, but now we are presented with a study that discloses that many Russian pilots were indeed behind the controls of those Migs.
This work also emphasizes the fact that "kills" are complex numbers that are dependent on many factors. With the numbers that the Russians claim vs the numbers our side claimed, it seems that once again the true numbers are somewhere in the middle.
This work also reinforces the fact that whatever the ideology, pilots are a pretty consistent and universal breed: Professionals performing their duties.
Great book, Interesting read June 28, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The book seems to be very well researched, with first hand sources. The book has a major oversite, there are no operational maps! It makes it difficult to follow where the events are happening. The author made an effort to cross reference the sources of the air to air kills, from both US and Soviet, PLAAF, and North Korean. There are lots of good color MiG-15 plates. I highly recommend it if you are interested in the "other sides" experience.
 An exhaustive view of the "Honcho's" War July 8, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Although a wide literature can be found about the USAF heroes in the Korean War, the Soviet paper was secret till recent years, but it included several pilots with over 20kills in that war.
This book offers an exhaustive view of the "Honchos" in that war, written unit by unit, day by day.
All kills are discussed, comparing gun camera footage, Soviet and North Korean papers and compares it to USAF accounts.
The book also includes a lot of contemporary footage (B/W, of course) and a lot of colour profiles of great interest for the modeller.
A must for every enthusiastinc in History (Both sides must be accounted), Modellers and MiG and VVS fans.
And Now You Know the Rest of the Story: Russian MiGs in the Korean War! August 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Back in September 2006, when I reviewed Warren Thompson's F-86 SABRE ACES OF THE 4TH FIGHTER WING, I commented that it would be great if Osprey had a "MiG-15 Aces of the Korean War" book in the works. Well, here 'tis...and not only is Leonid Krylov's book interesting but it's sure to be controversial as well.
Russia committed many MiG-15 units to the Korean conflict. It's only recently that details of this large-scale but top-secret involvement has been documented. SOVIET MiG-15 ACES OF THE KOREAN WAR is based on 17 years of research in Russian archives and interviews with 64th Fighter Air Corps pilots.
First of all, Krylov does an admirable job of relating the Korean air battles from the Soviet side including many first-hand reminiscences and combat reports. By war's end 52 Soviet MiG-15 pilots claimed five or more kills, 13 of those claimed ten or more victories. In terms of F-86s alone, those MiG pilots were credited with downing 574 Sabres while losing 335 MiGs in return...and therein lies the rub.
According to USAF sources, F-86s downed over 790 MiG-15s while losing 78 Sabres in return. 78 losses vs. 574 claims; 790 claims vs. 335 losses; hmm!?! If you factor in Chinese MiGs downed by F-86s, you'll probably get close to the 790 American claims but how to reconcile the 78/574 figures. In truth, Krylov's book could be subtitled: "Few of These Losses Tally with USAF Figures." To his credit, Krylov, time and again, points out the disparity between Soviet and American claims/loss figures but the overall impression is one of tremendous overclaiming by the Soviets.
Pilots such as Oskin, Pepelyaev, Sutyagin, Shchukin and Kramarenko were obviously skilled pilots; some had been aces in WWII. They obviously triumphed over some USAF F-86 pilots - including a few top aces - but it will take monumental research to come to a final, accurate Korean air war tally.
In the meantime, SOVIET MiG-15 ACES OF THE KOREAN WAR is a good start; an obviously well-researched and well-written overview of the topic. It includes over 70 rare photographs of pilots, aircraft and gun-camera scenes. (Given the awful footage MiG-15 gun-cameras produced, it's not wonder there is such overclaiming!) Yuriy Tepsurkaev also contributes nine pages of nicely done color profiles. I would have loved an index and also a map since the MiG pilots kept referring to Korea Bay, Cape Unzenly, etc.
Short and sweet summary: Highly recommended.
A book that couldn't have been written 20 years ago August 23, 2008
This is an excellent look at the MiG pilots who flew aircraft marked as PLA and North Korean fighters. During the Cold War the USSR never acknowledged the involvement of its pilots in Korea (despite the fact that Russian voice intercepts were monitored during aerial combat) and public acknoeledgement of their accomplishments were not made. Many of these pilots were WWII veterans who had gained notoriety fighting the Luftwaffe.
For the first time we learn the names of many of these pilots, we see their pictures and we learn what units they were assigned to. The artwork illustrating the paint schemes on the MiG-15s flown during the war is very well done as well. It's a pity that no map is included to outline the operational areas where the MiGs flew.
Also, the Russian author never discusses the REASON for the secrecy surrounding these pilots or the great lengths the Soviets went to perpetuate the cover story that North Korean and Chinese pilots against UN forces. Political constraints put artificial limitations on the Soviet pilots, preventing them from flying over areas in which they might be captured if shot down. I would have liked to have learned what the pilots thought of all this.
Nevertheless, a very good book.
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