Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot: The Soviet Union's Tank-Buster (Aerofax) Paperback – January 1, 2008

Yefim Gordon has done it again. This book is loaded with every detail possible about the development of the Soviet Ground Attack Aircraft from 1980 to the present. It is packed with excellent color photos, details of the cockpit, weapons used, color schemes, diagrams.In the 1970's, the US Airforce wanted a Close Air Support plane (CAS). The A-10 Warthog won the competition. The A-9 came in second. The SU-25 which co-incidentily (?) looks a lot like the A-9, was created shortly after the US flyoff. The SU-25 is a little smaller than the A-10, carries not quite so much payload (a mere 9,700 lbs vs 16,0000 lbs) and the 30 mm cannon is twin barrel with 250 rounds vs A-10 six barrel gattling gun with 1200 rounds.Smaller, but cheaper too. Just as survivable as the A-10, but not as expensive or sophisticated as the A-10. Due to budgetary problems and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union, "only" 1,200 planes were made.I highly recommend this book. It is an excellent addition to aviation enthusiasts. Pricey for modelers, but certainly would give you every camoflague scheme and thousands of details to use.Only drawback is paperback, but that keeps the price down somewhat.

If you like the Aerofax series and Yefim Gordon's work, this is sure to not disappoint you. Great pictures and a detailed history of the Su-25 Frogfoot, including insight on the political wrangling within the USSR when this aircraft was designed.

Good overview.

Excellent book on this bad-ass warplane.

Like any Aerofax publication or work by Yefim Gordon, this book is lavishly illustrated and well researched. With only 10 pages devoted to predecessors, competitors and basic development, it's easy to think the information would be sparse. Yet, those subjects were fairly well fleshed out and make for a satisfying pre-history of the SU-25. There is plenty of text describing the aircraft, Russian use, upgrades and foreign operators. With 25 pages devoted to combat use there is also a bit there for the historians as well. The only quibble I have with the volume is a lack of system illustrations and no photographs of the powerplant. Modelers will be well served by the numerous cockpit photographs and color plates.Highly recommended for those with an interest in Soviet and Russian aircraft and modelers. Even at eleven years old, this is still a relevant book.

This is an excellent book on an incredible plane. SU25 has quite a history for survivability. There have been cases were it has been hit several times with RPG and still survived to land on airfield. Three has been cases were it had parts of wings torn off or partial rudders. A lot of people seem to try to prove which is better the A10 or the SU25 but the fact of the matter is that they both incredible machines made to serve their function. This book is an excellent coverage on this incredible flying tank. Soviets had the building experience form the early IL2 Sturmoviks during WW2 which served the same function. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves SU25 or the A10.A bit of specs. I wasn't sure were previous reviewer got their specifications. Seems maybe from the earlier model of SU25 or wrong data.SU25TMEmpty weight: 10,740 kg (23,677 lb)Loaded weight: 16,990 kg (37,456 lb)Max takeoff weight: 20,500 kg (45,194 lb) Maximum speed: 950 km/h (590 mph, Mach 0.77) Combat radius: 375 km (235 mi) Ferry range: 2,500 km (1,553 mi) Service ceiling: 10,000 m (22,200 ft) Rate of climb: 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min) Wing loading: 584 kg/m² (119 lb/ft²) Thrust/weight: 0.51A10AEmpty weight: 11,321 kg (24,959 lb)Loaded weight: 13,782 kg (30,384 lb) On CAS mission: 21,361 kg (47,094 lb)On anti-armor mission: 19,083 kg (42,071 lb)Max takeoff weight: 23,000 kg (50,000 lb) Maximum speed: 706 km/h (439 mph) Combat radius: 467 km (290 mi) Ferry range: 4,150 km (2,580 mi) Service ceiling: 13,700 m (45,000 ft) Rate of climb: 30 m/s (6,000 ft/min) Wing loading: 482 kg/m² (99 lb/ft²) Thrust/weight: 0.36

Un livre relativement épais qui décrit bien les divers aspects de l'avion dans toutes ses versions ( mono et bi place ) et utilisateurs , des photos de bonne qualité et utiles aux maquettistes . Un bon rapport qualité prix ...

Speedy service from seller, very good book, highly recommend.

...peccato che oramai queste monografie siano praticamente fuori commercio, perché per foto e descrizioni storiche sono state tra le migliori.

A really good book I suggest to anyone interested in the su-25. It' full of detailes about every version and sub-version of this sturdy aircraft