Suggested Reading on Russian Aircraft and the VVS?

[Bino]

I need to learn more about Russian planes of The Great Patriotic War, and how and where they were used. 

All book suggestions gratefully received.   

My native tongue is (American-inflected) English and I can read German fairly well, but I only know a handful of words in Russian.

[Soulyss]

My bookshelf is light on VVS stuff unfortunately, I did find a title that may be worth doing a little research on.  I have several books from Schiffer Books on the shelf, mostly unit histories from the 5th Air Force, but they also published America's Hundred Thousand which is a great reference for the U.S. Fighters.  I general I've been happy with the books I have gotten from them.

http://www.schifferbooks.com/newschiffer/


More specifically I saw this title
http://www.schifferbooks.com/newschiffer/book_template.php?isbn=0764304763

Can also find it cheap used.
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?isbn=0764304763&sts=t&x=39&y=10

[Bino]

In another thread, Fencer pointed me to "Soviet Air Power in World War II" by Yefim Gordon.

[STEELE]

Black Star/Red Cross

[715]

Along time ago a squaddy recommended "Red Phoenix: The Rise of Soviet Air Power 1941-1945", Von Hardesty, Smithsonian History of Aviation Series, Smithsonian Institution Press, ISBN 1-56098-071-0.  It's structured by a chronological description of air campaigns, not by detailed discussion of aircraft performance. (In other words, lots of maps with arrows, orders of battle and description of engagements.)

[havillandhornet]

There are quite a few books written by Yefim Gordon who seems to specialise in this area. In addition the one above there are these two which look quite good:

Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War, Vol. 2: Twin-Engined Fighters, Attack Aircraft and Bombers
Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War, Vol. 1

[Squire]

Osprey Publishing of course also has excellent books on the subject. "Aircraft of the Aces" series has several on the VVS in WW2:

http://www.ospreypublishing.com/section.aspx?SectionID=37

[STEELE]

Does anyone know if thee are any free eBooks (legal) out there on the subject?

[Bino]

In another thread, Fencer pointed me to "Soviet Air Power in World War II" by Yefim Gordon.

Just received my copy of Gordon's book the other day, and I'm very happy with it.   

[Gianlupo]

Black Star/Red Cross

You mean Black Cross/Red Star!

Unfortunately, I'm afraid most of the volumes are out of print and they can only be found at awful prices....

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Cross-Red-Star-Barbarossa/dp/0935553487/ref=pd_sim_b_5

[Brooke]

I liked this one very much, and it dispels much misinformation about the P-39, which the Soviets used a lot.  It also covers much about how the Soviets used aircraft, with much operational information:

http://www.amazon.com/Attack-Airacobras-American-Against-Germany/dp/0700616543/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1308013957&sr=8-1