The cover of Booklist 65 caused more comment than virtually any other we have had, either of the ‘what the heck is that biplane’ or ‘where did you get that picture of an Antonov An-2 from’ variety. So here is a book about this most interesting Russian aircraft. Designed by Oleg K. Antonov as a multi-purpose aircraft with a short take-off and landing capability, the An-2 first flew in 1947 and despite initial derision of the biplane layout, proved to be an exceptionally docile, reliable and useful aircraft. In fact as well as sharing the same engine as the Russian licence-built derivative of the Douglas DC-3 Dakota, the An-2 is the only aircraft whose production total (more than 17,000 examples) can challenge the number of Dakotas produced. This book details it history, uses, and considerable number of variants and experimental models. 128 pages. Around 260 photographs, 28 in colour and 2 drawings. Paperback. Midland Publishing

The picture on the front of Booklist 65 came from an agency, but is believed to show the only working example of an An-2, on its usual base airfielkd at Popham, near Basingstoke.