War in the Air

Overview

On the eve of Operation Barbarosa the Luftwaffe out classed the Soviet Air Force in pilot training and experience, battle tactics, aircraft capability and armament and very soon, aircraft quantity. Yet the Red Air Force steadfastly stood up to the Luftwaffe making gradual progress in all these area through not quite reaching parity by the close of World War Two. But by then Soviet aircraft vastly out numbered the Luftwaffe which could not compete with Soviet production capacity and combat attrition. Take a close look at the Soviet fighter aircraft and meet the stellar pilots of the war.