Duke Hawkins is a series of superb photo essays on aircraft covering a dozen planes in thorough detail. The latest covers the MiG-31 Foxhound. As a first note, the 108-page book contains over 300 pictures taken by pilots and a “back-seater’ with over 20 years of experience and I must add that he is also an excellent photographer.

In order of appearance, the book covers:

• Types
• Forward Fuselage
• Air Intakes
• Fuselage
• Wings
• Cockpit
• Front Landing Gear
• Main Landing Gear
• Vertical Tail
• Speed brake
• Horizontal Tail
• Maintenance
• Engine
• Brake Chute
• Aft Fuselage
• Pylons
• Ordnance
• Action

Each section is completely illustrated showing details, close ups and every picture has written information to explain or clarify it where needed. Looking at the book, I would guess 75% of the pages are pictures with the remainder being verbiage. The maintenance shots show open panels and the interior detail. The ordnance section contains all types of air to air missiles and shows the load outs on the planes. Many of the action shots are shown from the cockpit while flying. These are taken by Russian pilots who fly the plane, and you cannot get any better perspective than that. If you are going to in any way detail a Mig-25, this is the best book I have seen.

Taking a little more detail look at one section, the cockpit comes to mind as modelers love cockpit detail. There are 14 full color pages showing details of the single seat cockpit, the dual set front and rear cockpits. There are close ups of the sticks, HUID and canopies with the pistons. There is a night shot of the cockpit illuminated showing its red hue. There is a full page with three great pictures of the Zvezda K-36DM ejection seat and harnesses. Each picture is in full color with superb focus and detail added. Wow!

And each section of the book is this way. It is phenomenal. Most highly recommended to modelers and fans of Russian Aviation. And I might add, very reasonably priced.

My thanks to Duke Hawkins and Casemate Publishers for the opportunity to review this excellent book. I can’t wait to see w