Brought out in the late 1970s as a successor to the obsolete Tu-126 airborne early warning aircraft, the A-50 codeveloped by the Ilyushin and Beriyev bureaux is one of the most interesting military variants in the field of IL-76 military transport. Differing outwardly from the latter mainly in having a conventional saucer rotodome, the A-50 entered flight testing in 1980: the new Soviet AWACS entered service four years later. The improved A-50M was developed several years after that. The type continues in service with the Russian Air Force today, and the fleet is being upgraded to A-50U standard. This book describes the A-50s thrilling developmental history, taking in its many variants (including the A-50EI export model for India) and gives an extensive overview of the various scale model kits covering the subject currently available on the market.

- A brand new addition to the popular Flight Craft series, this time focussing on the A-50, a thrilling aircraft type with an intriguing history.

- Features around 180 photographs in total as well as over 20 full colour side-views and a range of various 3-view linedrawings.

- Packed with illustrative materials, it is sure to satisfy the target demographic of aircraft modellers as well as more general enthusiasts.