"The first comprehensive account in English of the development and operation of Russia's least known postwar jet fighter. Only ever operated over the former Soviet Union's vast northern territory by an elite group of Soviet Air Force aircrew, it was little known even to most Russian military personnel and the majority of Soviet citizens. Although never flown in anger, the Tu-128 played a hugely important part in protecting the nation's Artic approaches against foreign incursions for almost a quarter of a century. The reader will discover the rationale behind its selection and training of aircrew, operation of quick reaction alerts, manual and automated ground controlled intercepts and cooperation with the Sovier Union's first AWACS, its stable-mate the Tu-126 Moss. With numerous previously unpublished photographs, diagrams and expert text, the Tu-128 Fiddler will prove indespensable to enthusiasts and historians alike." --- from jacket cover.