The document accessible though the link provided is an edited computer-generated English translation of a 1958 book on model engines written by then well-known Russian engine expert and International control-line speed competitor Oleg K. Gajevski. A great deal of Internal evidence in the text suggests that this book was almost certainly written in 1957 and was published in Moscow during the following year by DOSAAF, a para-military organization responsible among other things for encouraging Russian youth to gain technical skills and aeronautical insights of potential use to the State through participation in aeromodelling.

An earlier equivalent of this book written by A. V. Filipichev of the Central Aircraft Modelling Laboratory (CAML) in Moscow appeared in 1954 with only 100 pages at that time. This book is also available in an English translation on this website.

The 1958 Gajevski book brings this story up to date and reflects considerable progress since 1954. Over 200 pages were now needed to provide full coverage of the subject.  Drawings and images of a number of  Russian engines were included. Oddly enough, much of the material covered in Filipichev’s earlier book was retained, making Gajevski’s text a curious mixture of then-outdated and up-to-date information. Some of the featured engines were long gone as of 1957 when Gajevski was writing!

The book is mainly a historical artefact today, although certain sections retain their relevance for anyone interested in Russian model engine products of the Iron Curtain era.  Moreover, some of the technical information on model engine design and management remains relevant as well.