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Aviation History
1955
1955 - 0661.PDF
13 May 1955 659 Mig-17s (Soviet A.F.). Russian four-jet bomber ("Bison") escorted by Mig-17s (Soviet A.F.). Mig-15 with U.S.A.F. markings (Soviet and satellite A.F.s). U.S.S.R. The Soviet Air Force REPLYING last May to a question in the House of Commons,the Under-Secretary to the Foreign Office said that manpower "in the air forces in the Soviet Union" had remained at about800,000, and the number of aircraft at 19,000-20,000. There had been a steady replacement of piston-engined fighters andlight bombers with jet-propelled types. In 1951 20 per cent of the fighters were jet-propelled; by May 1954 the figure had beenbrought to nearly 100 per cent. As for light bombers, in 1951 there were no jet-propelled machines at all in this category, butby May 1954 the percentage was 66f. The number of Tu-4 medium piston-engined bombers in operational units had doubledsince 1951. In the satellites and East Germany, manpower had increased from 50,000 in 1951 to nearly 90,000. Aircraft strength,which was about 2,000, had almost doubled, and about half the machines were jet fighters. Less than six months ago General John E. Hull, U.S.A.F.,declared that in the Far East, Communist air strength, including Chinese, Russian and North Korean forces, was 7,000-8,000 air-craft, including between 700 and 900 11-28 twin-jet bombers, and more Tu-4 piston-engined bombers than the total of B-29semployed by America against Japan in the second world war. Additionally the Communist forces in the Far East includedMig-17s. Unlike the Royal Air Force or U.S.A.F., the Soviet Air Forceis not an independent arm. Fighter, light bomber and ground- attack elements operate under Army Command, while the SovietNavy has control of fighter, reconnaissance and strike squadrons. Lease-Lend Douglas Dakota (Soviet A.F.). Tu-4 (Soviet A.F.). 3 •S3* Para-drop from //-72s (Soviet A.F.). (Below) 11-14 (Soviet A.F.).
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