Red Stars 4
Lend Lease Aircraft In Russia

By Carl-Fredrik Geust and Gennadiy Petrov
ISBN: 952-5026-23-X
224 Pages, Hardbound
Apali Oy
[Finland]

Reviewed by Matt Bittner

The Red Stars series of books have been a boon to people - especially modelers - interested in aircraft of the Soviet VVS in and around the time of the Great Patriotic War (WW2). Red Stars 1 is basically just a collection of pictures of everything VVS, regardless of type. Red Stars 2 is a collection of photos of captured machines used by the Soviet VVS during the Great Patriotic War (GPW). Red Stars 3 is an early 'history' of the VVS, starting with the Imperial Russian Air Service before and during WW1, continuing into the Russian Civil War, and ending with aircraft that served prior to the GPW.

Red Stars 4 (RS4) is a natural continuation of the series, dealing with aircraft that came to Russia via the Lend Lease program, as well as non-Soviet, allied aircraft the Soviets 'came in contact with'. Not only are there US aircraft in RS4, but there are British as well.

The image reproduction quality is excellent. There are a lot of photos in here never before seen. In addition, there are a number of color profiles including some unusual schemes. In the back of the book exists a historical section as well as a data table that helps in the understanding of what Lend Lease was, and what was acquired through it.

This book is highly recommended. If you are in any way interested in the VVS, this book is a must. If you have a passing interest in VVS schemes for your US or British machines, this book is a must. If you're curious in how the VVS modified Lend Lease equipment for their own use (such as two seat, training P-39s) this book is a must. As far as I see it, if you enjoy anything about the VVS, you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't buy this book.