This is number 102 in the well-known Aircraft of the Aces series from Osprey. Like others in the series, this book does not disappoint! This is the first English language publication with information about the aces that flew the MiG-3.

The book is broken down into six chapters. Chapter one covers the development and deployment of the MiG-3, with the next four chapters covering VVS combat experience with the MiG-3s. The last chapter covers the MiG-3 in the hands of Soviet naval aviators. I particularly enjoyed the account of Sr. Lt. Aleksey Storozhakov’s forcing an Hs-126 to land. He then landed alongside the Henschel and ordered the crew to surrender. After having secured the aircraft, he removed the camera and rear machine gun, which he presented to his CO!

The true gems of this book are the 32 aircraft profiles by noted Russian aviation artist Andrey Yurgenson. There are many unusual schemes, including tiger stripes and some camouflage involving four different top colors. Lots of inspiration is contained within for the modeler for your Trumpeter or leftover Classic Airframes kits.

The book will appeal to the aviation historian, aircraft buff, and modeler alike. The book contains a lot of information that was not available in translated form in the West before. I can recommend the book to modeler and historian alike. I think you will enjoy it as much as I did. Our thanks go to Osprey Publishing for the copy and to IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it.