Myasishchev M-50 and M-52: The First Soviet Supersonic Strategic Bomber

Apart from the increasing need to talk around the foreign policy "choices" of the Putin regime, Gordon and his associates seem to remain reliable commentators on Soviet aviation history. It is fairly well know that the aircraft in question was undercut by inadequate engines and policy turbulence, but Gordon and Komissarov have the background information to give you a "deep dive." It turns out that not only were the chosen power plants unable to generate the performance required, but the Soviet industrial complex was unable to deliver the auxiliary components needed to tie the aircraft together. Thus, like its Western counterparts, the M-50 was more suitable for a Gerry Anderson stop-motion animation show than for the operational demands show more of an actual air arm. In as much as the visual documentation is great, if you've previously been buying Gordon's books there is no reason not to acquire this one. show less