Curtiss Kittyhawks in the Soviet Far North 1941-45, Volumes 1 and 2
By Matt Bittner
Volume 1: Origins and Early Combat Operations, 1942-May 1944
Author: Andrey Latkin
Publisher: Helion & Company Limited
ISBN: 978-1-804517-71-0
Binding: Digital
Pages: 82
Volume 2: Reconnaissance, Ground Support, and Final Missions, 1944-1945
Author: Andrey Latkin
Publisher: Helion & Company Limited
ISBN: 978-1-804517-72-7
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 62
The VVS use of the Curtiss P-40 series is one that starts as primarily a fighter and then ending as a fighter-bomber. As one of the major types supplied to the Soviets under Lend Lease, it held a prominent spot in the VVS air force for a good part of the war. These volumes cover their use in the Soviet far north during the entire length of the war, but towards the end saw the number of sorties reduced drastically.
In the author's introduction he mentions that the history of the VVS in the Soviet Far North has never been consolidated into one place until the publication of these books. It's great having the history finally in one place. After the introduction Volume 1 goes into a small introduction to the P-40 and all variants but since this is more of a history of Soviet operations it's kept to a minimum. From here the history starts into the role of the P-40 as a primary-fighter until the introduction of the P-39. From then the Kittyhawk - as all versions of the P-40 were known by the Soviets - took on a dual role of first a fighter-bomber, then once the ordnance was dropped, a primary role as a fighter.
The second volume is where the majority of the P-40's missions were first as fighter-bombers followed by being a fighter, to help the escape of the larger Northern Fleet Air Force attack squadrons. It wasn't long until the P-40 was completely struck off charge as they aged out of the system.
One aspect to mention is that both books deal with the larger function of the Northern Fleet Air Force that consisted of other aircraft types. Yes, the primary focus is on the P-40 but other aircraft are also dealt with in the larger scheme of the fighting, giving an excellent overview of the air force's operation against the Germans.
Another aspect that becomes obvious is the exaggeration of the number of air-to-air victories. Of course by both sides, but as the author collaborated with other German sources it becomes abundantly clear about the gross exaggeration by the Germans. There is one paragraph that sticks out with me in that the Germans claimed 39 kills, but the Soviets only had seven aircraft downed that day.
There are some side-view drawings of the different P-40 types along with a few color profiles per book. But as this is more of a historical reference than a modeling book, it's truly not an issue. As a modeler I am always interested in the history of the aircraft I model and now having access to some of the Soviet operations of the P-40 helps in that regard. My only questions remaining - which will require further research on my end - are how were the FAB bombs attached to the P-40s? Plus the author mentions reconnaissance P-40s, so how and where were the cameras mounted on the P-40 to take the pictures needed?
Overall this is an excellent history of the use of the P-40 by the Soviet Northern Fleet Air Force, along with detailing other aircraft types. I send my thanks to Helion & Company Limited for allowing me to review these wonderful books.