Part of MMP’s Polish Wings series, this book focuses on the TS-11 Iskra, a Polish designed primary jet trainer. Designed in the late 1950’s in response to the need to train pilots for the Polish Air Force, the Iskra went on to serve for over 50 years with the Polish Air Force. While the design looks vaguely similar to that of the Temco TT-1 Pinto, unlike the Pinto, the Iskra was a very successful aircraft with more than 400 being built of its various variants. As an indigenous design, the Iskra’s primary customer was the Polish Air Force, however, India also purchased and operated 50 of the aircraft for jet pilot training.

The book has a good discussion of the development of the Iskra, including the different variants of the aircraft, which initially were strictly unarmed training aircraft, but over time additional capabilities such as a limited weapon delivery capability as well as aerial photography capability. This section also includes discussions of some variants of the Iskra that were proposed but never entered series productions such as a single seat light attack variant with increased weapons capabilities. There is also an interesting discussion of the Iskra’s participation in a USSR sponsored competition for a primary jet trainer, where the Iskra went head-to-head with the L-29 Delphin. While in the end the L-29 was selected as the primary jet trainer for the USSR and the Warsaw Pact countries, the Iskra did well enough that the Polish Air Force was not required to purchase the L-29.

As is typical for this series, the main section of the book is filled with photographs (mostly color) of the Iskra in Polish Air Force service accompanied by color profiles of the aircraft. For most of its service career, the predominate scheme for the Iskra was natural metal overall, however, later in its career, like trainers around the world, many of them were repainted in a camouflage scheme. There were also several special paint schemes applied to the TS-11. The profiles illustrate the various schemes very well including 2, 3 and 4 view drawing as needed along with close-up photographs of marking, both standard and special. The profiles also include discussions of the approximate colors used in the various schemes often referencing best guess FS numbers for some of the colors. There are even a couple of profiles of Indian Air Force Iskras.

The last section of the book discusses painting and markings of the Iskra and include numerous outstanding close-up photographs of the different squadron and wing insignias that appeared on Polish Iskras.

While the TS-11 Iskra is not particularly well known outside of Poland, recently some kits of it have appeared, most notably Arma Hobby’s series of kits in 1/72 scale. If you have one of these kits or an interest in Polish Air Force aircraft, this is a book for you. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Casemate Publishing USA for the review sample.