MiGs in the Middle East Volume 2: Soviet-designed Combat Aircraft in Egypt and Syria, 1963-1967

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Description

A detailed reconstruction of the operational history, camouflage colours, markings, armament and operational service of MiG-designed fighters in six air forces of the Middle East, from 1967-1975. During and after the June 1967 Arab-Israeli War, fighter-bombers of Soviet-design and manufacture served in the air forces of two frontline Arab states facing Israel: Egypt and Syria. While Algeria and Iraq also deployed contingents flying Soviet-made fighter jets, only the latter saw any significant action. Immediately after, and in reaction to losses and negative experiences from the war with Israel, unprecedented numbers of MiGs were delivered to air forces in the Middle East. The USSR replaced all Egyptian and Syrian losses on 1-for-1 basis, while Iraq and Algeria placed huge orders. Moreover, the USSR replaced Egypt as the main supporter of the republican government in what was then Northern Yemen, and Sudan appeared on the scene to place orders for its own air force. Subsequently, the British Protectorate of Aden achieved independence, quickly established friendly ties to the Soviet Union and Cuba, and began acquiring jet fighters of Soviet origin. Unsurprisingly, by the early 1970s, not only older MiG-15s and MiG-17s but also newer types like MiG-21s served in huge numbers with at least half a dozen air forces around the Middle East. They wore a wide range of very different, and often very colourful unit insignia and other markings, and were flown by many pilots who would subsequently play crucial roles in the future of their nations. Based on original documentation and extensive interviews with veterans, and richly illustrated, MiGs in the Middle East, Volume 2 is a unique source of reference on the operational history of MiG-15, MiG-17, MiG-19 and MiG-21 fighter jets in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Syria, North and South Yemen from 1967 until 1975. 15 colour aircraft profiles, 3 colour ills, 3 colour photos, 1 colour map, 92 b/w photos, 4 b/w maps

Reviews

"...highly recommended for anyone with an interest in Soviet export aircraft, Middle East aerial operations, or both." * Air Power History *
"Technical details, short profiles of pilots and operations, air combat descriptions fit for the tabletop, and aircraft, missile, and equipment purchases are all covered with clear and easy to follow prose.
Enjoyed it." * Historical Miniatures Gaming Society *
"As is the norm with these books from Helion, the research is first rate. The authors have interviewed a number of the participants and are able to provide the sorts of insights that you cannot get from other sources." * ModelingMadness.Com *

Author Bio

Dr. David C Nicolle is a British historian specializing in the military history of the Middle Ages, with special interest in the Middle East and Arab countries. After working for BBC Arabic Service, he obtained his MA at SOAS, University of London, followed by a PhD at the University of Edinburgh. He then lectured in art history at Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan. Dr. Nicolle has published over 100 books about warfare ranging from Roman times to the twentieth century, mostly as sole author. He also co-authored the Arab MiGs series of books which covered the history of the Arab air forces at war with Israel from 1955 to 1973. Furthermore, he has appeared in several TV-documentaries, and has published numerous articles in the specialized press. Tom Cooper is an Austrian aerial warfare analyst and historian. Following a career in worldwide transportation business during which he established a network of contacts in the Middle East and Africa he moved into narrow-focus analysis and writing on small, little-known air forces and conflicts, about which he has collected extensive archives. This has resulted in specialization in such Middle Eastern air forces as of those of Egypt, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, plus various African and Asian air forces. Except for authoring and co-authoring more than 30 books - including about a dozen of titles for Helions @War series - and over 1000 articles, Cooper is a regular correspondent for multiple defense-related publications.