Aircraft of The Cold War

At the peak of the Cold War in the 1950s the Soviet Union possessed some 12,000 aircraft, making it the largest air force of all the protagonists. By the 1990s this had declined to around 8,000, the reduction largely reflecting the increase in aircraft capability.

Though the Cold War was responsible for decades of suspicion and mistrust between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, it was also responsible for an amazing leap forward in aircraft research, design, and development. The wild blue yonder never looked so exciting! This book features more than 120 military aircraft in service between 1945 and 1985.It covers each plane in great detail and is filled with over 2,000 illustrations and photos of each plane in action.
Each spread highlights the fascinating journey from concept and design to combat missions. Photo files, action data, facts and figures, maps, and other innovative graphics bring the action to life! Sit behind the controls of a B-52 Strato Fortress! This awesome plane began its service in 1952 and will likely continue to fly until 2040–a tribute to the designers and engineers who developed it.