HMH Publications | Aircraft in Detail #004: MiG-29 Fulcrum
Reviewed by Kevin Williams
Publisher: HMH Publications
Author(s): R. Pied, Nic Deboeck
Publishing Date: 2018
ISBN: 978-2-9602488-3-8
Pages: 114
And yet another fascinating volume here from the good folks at HMH Publications. I've been a MiG-29 fan for many years now, and from the moment I first heard of this volume, have been wanting to add it to my own library. Once again, everything the Fulcrum enthusiast could want, and gobs of it, is featured in this book. Just beautiful coverage. A mainstay in the Soviet and Eastern Bloc nations for many years, it's an impressive fighter, to say the least.
This particular book (No. 004 in the series), depicts the rather aggressive looking Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum, and it’s geared toward both modelers and aviation enthusiasts alike, being very much a detailed, walk around overview of the type, just what a true detail hound like me desires. Certainly one of the earlier books in the "then new" series, nonetheless we are treated here to a plethora of wonderful, full color captures of gobs of MiG-29 goodness, as HMH hit full stride right out of the gate.
(Not a brand new volume by any means, but I'm very fortunate to have access to periodic older publications, thanks to Casemate.)
Large scale aircraft modelers are again in luck here, as there at least two viable kits of the big MiG (Revell and Trumpeter), so building a representative example should be a snap.
As with all of the titles from this publisher, this is very much a collaborative effort, using photos from many varied sources, each with appropriate photo credits given, and there are quite a substantial number of them, especially in this wonderful volume. Printed on good quality semi-glossy stock, the photos are nothing sort of magnificent, highlighting many areas of the air-frame, giving both modelers and aviation enthusiasts alike, a wealth of details on this fascinating plane. If you're looking for wonderful detail shots of the muscled up MiG-29, it's more than likely in this book.
Typical Photo Samples
Photos are broken down by section; types, forward fuselage, MiG-29K/KUB Fulcrum D, air intakes, MiG-29 SMT Fulcrum, MiG-29 UPG, wings, fuselage, cockpit, numerous pages (surprisingly, there's none of the all too familiar Aqua color here, a color that adorns many a Soviet aircraft interior), ejection seat, MiG-35 Fulcrum, fuselage, front landing gear, landing gear, main landing gear, horizontal tails, vertical tail, aft fuselage, maintenance (quite a lot, but certainly not all of the detail photos, are located in this section), centerline, ordenance [sic], and finally, Action!! Certainly enough material is presented here, to satisfy even the most ardent Fulcrum fan.
The prodigious quantity and clarity of photos obviously form the backbone of this book, and for me, this is a true blessing, as I can never seem to get enough details, and this book certainly has them in great abundance.
While I've always liked the lines of the Fulcrum, I've yet to commit to either of the two newest large scale kits, but that may well change now.
Even if you have just a passing interest in the great MiG-29 (or Russian fighter aircraft in general), you can’t go wrong with the purchase of this book, as it's truly an outstanding reference.
Summation
On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d rate this book as a solid 10, no question about it. Topping out at a solid 114 pages of Fulcrum goodness, it's just packed wall-to-wall with details, details, and more details, and is therefore highly recommended. Another great volume "knocked out of the park" by HMH.
Note: Book cover image directly from HMH Publications (used with permission).
My review copy compliments of Casemate Publishers. Thanks a ton to Casemate, it's truly an outstanding reference book for the Fulcrum, really top-notch stuff, and I'm very pleased to now add it to my own library.
© Kevin Williams 2022
This review was published on Friday, November 04 2022; Last modified on Sunday, November 06 2022