Sukhoi Interceptors Book Review

By Michael Benolkin

Review

Yefim Gordon is back with another installment of the Red Star series. In this volume (#16), the author examines the family of Sukhoi OKB-designed interceptors. These aircraft included the Su-9 and Su-11 (both NATO code-named: FISHPOT) and the Su-15 (NATO code-named: FLAGON).

The Air Defense Force of the former Soviet Union, the PVO, was equipped with a wide variety of interceptors that were assigned point defense and area defense missions. The point-defense missions went to the Sukhoi and Mikoyan interceptors.

Two of the less-known but familiar-looking interceptors were the Su-9 and Su-11 Fishpots. These were part of a family of aircraft that came off the Sukhoi drawing boards that included the Su-7 Fitter. These three aircraft were all metal chimneys with wings. The Su-7's ground attack mission warranted the heavily swept wing whereas the interceptor versions adopted the high speed delta wing.

Coverage of this title includes:

• Introduction
• The Second Generation
• The Flying Pipes
• Defending the Homeland: The Su-9/11 in Service
• Experimental Models
• Sukhoi Strikes Back
• 'Target in Sight!': Su-15 in Action
• A Close Look at the Sukhoi Deltas

Each subject covered is well-illustrated with black & white photography, line drawings, and some nice color profiles. If you've followed Soviet fighter development, especially the Sukhoi family, you'll see some interesting concepts that aren't well covered before this title. There is some good coverage of both the Su-9 and Su-11, but the majority of the title centers around the many versions of the Su-15! Excellent!!

Once again, the author has done a great job bringing the aviation historian as well as the modeler a wealth of excellent references for the Sukhoi interceptors that served the PVO.

Recommended!