The book explores themes such as patriotism, sacrifice, and the importance of understanding the development of technology in wartime. The Plot: The novel begins with Alexei, a young and ambitious pilot, being assigned to fly the Su-2 bomber, a new and experimental aircraft that has just entered service in the Soviet Air Force. Despite his initial reservations about the plane's performance, Alexei quickly becomes attached to the Su-2 and sees it as a symbol of hope for the Soviet Union's victory in the war. As he flies more missions, he begins to realize the importance of understanding the technological process of developing modern knowledge and how it can be used to unify people in a time of war. As the war progresses, Alexei finds himself facing increasingly difficult challenges, from dogfights with German fighters to navigating treacherous weather conditions. Throughout it all, he remains steadfast in his belief that the Su-2 will give the Soviets an edge in the conflict and help turn the tide of the war. However, as the years pass and the war drags on, Alexei begins to question whether the sacrifices made by him and his fellow pilots are worth it.

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