The World War 2 fighters designed by A.S. Yakovlev's and his team are rightfully considered the weapon of the Victory in the history of the Soviet Union and Russia. Their speed, maneuverability and firepower made them famous over the Eastern front. Yet until present days historians and aviation enthusiast continue to debate whether the design of these machines was adequate. The goal of this book is not to end these debates, but rather to present as precisely as the documents available to the authors allow the story of the first aircraft in the long lineage of Yakovlev's fighters - the Yak-1. Many new, sometimes unexpected facts about this important machine are presented in this book.
Samir Karmieh Book order






- 2017
- 2017
In July of 1934, the Waffenamt (Ordnance Department) ordered the development of an armored vehicle 10 tons in weight and armed with 20mm automatic cannon. In early 1935, number of manufacturers including Krupp AG, MAN (chassis only), Henschel und Sohn AG (chassis only) and Daimler-Benz AG provided their prototypes of Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper 100 (LaS 100) - agricultural tractor, for evaluation by the army. The new vehicle was also known as 2 cm MG Panzerwagen and as VK 622 (Versuchkraftfahrzeug 622). New light tank - Panzerkampfwagen II was to supplement new Panzerkampfwagen I light tank as a vehicle with heavier armament capable of firing armor-piercing and high explosive rounds.
- 2017
The world's first modern tank, a pioneering vehicle whose basic features can be found on today's modern tanks. FT was an undeniable success. A large number of FTs was provided to most Western front units by 1918, and they were involved in all major offensives, successfully crossing over trenches as intended, but also driving through forests. Renault produced two variants of the FT, the machine-gun model, which was more common, and a short-barreled 37 mm Puteaux SA 18 gun. Those models were identified by their definitive Omnibus turret, multifaceted or rounded with bent metal plates. By December 1917 3100 FTs were produced with the Omnibus turret, in both types. The FT had some flaws of the first series, including the radiator fan belt and cooling system problems. In 1919 a new redesigned version was proposed by Renault, including a more powerful engine, a long-barreled Puteaux gun and additional cases fitted in their tracks. It was successfully exported throughout the world. Some of them were immediately put into action, like the Finnish and Polish versions against the Soviets
- 2015
SMS Emden light cruiser was built by Kaiserliche Werft Danzig dockyard (nowadays Gdansk in Poland). The construction process began in 1906, the launching of the ship took place on 26 May 1908. Together with SMS Dresden, she belonged to Dresden protected cruiser class.
- 2015
Germans had been produced many specialistic armoured vehicles. Storm tanks are among them. They were used as infantry support heavy vehicles. They destroyed buildings, fortifications, barricades etc.STURMPANZER IV BRUMMBAR built on PANZER IV chassis was one of them. It was armed with 150 mm StuH storm howitzer. From 1943 till 1945 BRUMMBAR took part in fights on all fronts. The publication is illustrated with unique 3D renderings by Samir Karmieha that show a lot of detail not only the external details of the vehicle, but also its inside. The book was also enriched with excellent modeling plans by Krzysztofa Muchy that satisfy even the most demanding readers.
- 2014
Weighing in at nearly 70 tons the Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B, now known as Koenigstiger was the largest mass-produced tracked combat vehicle, which was sent to the units of the Third Reich. Armed with a 88 mm caliber gun, the armor thickness reached 180 mm from the middle of 1944. They sowed terror in the ranks of the armed forces of the allies.