Aircraft of the Great Patriotic War

Aerial attacks, air raid sirens, fierce battles in the sky became one of the symbols of the Great Patriotic War, which, unlike all previous armed conflicts, was a "war of motors" — technological and therefore even more massive and ruthless. The role of aviation at that time often became decisive, and those who had overwhelming superiority in the sky could already consider themselves the winners. But airplanes not only participated in air battles, supported the infantry, conducted reconnaissance, and bombed the most important enemy targets — they also supplied the troops with ammunition, food, and medications, evacuated the wounded behind the front line, and delivered paratroopers to the enemy’s rear. Combat flying machines with red stars on their wings were met with tears of joy by war-weary people! This book tells the story of the creation, improvement, and use of aircraft on the front and in the rear that played a huge role in the course of the Great Patriotic War. Tactical and technical characteristics, diagrams, and tables will help compare the capabilities of each model of aviation technology, and information about outstanding Soviet aircraft designers and hero pilots, along with archival photographs, will provide an opportunity to immerse oneself in the atmosphere of wartime hardship.