MIGI STALINA
Krzysztof Cieslak, Jacek Jackiewicz

MILITARIA i FAKTY n.28
AJAKS ed.

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This new monograph of 58 pages, sized 29x21 cm, is in Polish language. Only few captions are in English. I have to admit that I don't understand Polish at all, so I'll comment the illustrations only.

As photographic iconography, aside some already known photos there are some other good new ones of German origin. Many of them are of wrecks or abandoned planes, but allow to see nice technical details. Some of them allowed me to complete or correct some profiles.

A nice exploded view of I-200 n-03 is provided. Unfortunately, none view of the cockpit, of instrument panel, and of many other details (typically useful to modelers) are included.

A file of line drawings evidence all differences between prototypes and series versions, and even the successive modifications of prototypes. This is extremely clear and well done.

Some good color photos of an AM-35A at the Krakow museum are a good surprise. I didn't know the existence of such an engine there.

An impressive iconography with 40 well drawn color profiles is supplied. Most of them are clearly inspired to some web site...

The best parts of the work are the scale drawings sheets, illustrating all versions from I-200 to I-210. The I-210 sheet is particularly appreciable because it looks by far more exact than other drawings I saw before. Some question could be done on some details of the armament, of the landing gear doors and of the partializator fans. Pity that they didn't produce such drawings of other prototypes as I-211, I-230 and I-231; none good 3-view drawing of these planes is available in literature.

A particular merit of the drawings is to evidence the different shape of horizontal tail surfaces between early type and late type MiG-3s. This difference looks confirmed by photos and, for what I know, it was never taken in consideration in all drawings before.

Some points are questionable. In first place, the book and its drawings describe as operational a first batch of production MiG-1s identical to I-200 n.02. Even two color profiles of them are shown. This would be very interesting, if proven. I have never seen photos of such planes, only profiles in old books that could have been extrapolated from the images of the green-painted I-200 n.03 adding some markings and numerals.

On the whole, the book has many points of interest and can be recommended.

 

                                                                                                                               Massimo Tessitori