Polikarpov I-16

Polikarpov I-16
Angelmersaenz · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Polikarpov I-16
Caption	A Polikarpov I-16 in flight.
Type	Fighter aircraft
National origin	Soviet Union
Manufacturer	Polikarpov
Designer	Nikolai Polikarpov
First flight	30 December 1933
Introduced	1934
Retired	1950s (Spanish State)
Primary user	Soviet Air Forces
Number built	8,644
Developed from	Polikarpov I-15
Variants with their own articles	Polikarpov I-17

Polikarpov I-16. The Polikarpov I-16 was a revolutionary Soviet fighter aircraft of the 1930s, notable for being the world's first low-wing cantilever monoplane fighter with retractable landing gear to enter mass production. Designed by the team of Nikolai Polikarpov, it was a key asset for the Soviet Air Forces and Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War. Its distinctive, stubby appearance and agile performance earned it the nickname "Ishak" (Donkey) from Soviet pilots and "Mosca" (Fly) or "Rata" (Rat) from its adversaries.

Design and Development

The I-16 emerged from the design bureau of Nikolai Polikarpov, who was influenced by earlier high-speed designs like the Polikarpov I-14. Its compact, wood-and-metal airframe was built around a powerful Shvetsov M-25 radial engine, a license-built version of the American Wright R-1820. A key innovation was its manually retractable landing gear, which significantly reduced drag. The aircraft initially featured an open cockpit, though later models were enclosed, and its armament evolved from two ShKAS machine guns to include ShVAK cannons. The design philosophy emphasized speed and rate of roll over stability, making it a demanding but highly maneuverable aircraft to fly. Early flight testing, including by famed Soviet test pilot Valery Chkalov, revealed both its exceptional performance and tricky handling characteristics.

Operational History

The I-16 saw its first major combat during the Spanish Civil War, where it was supplied to the Republican air force and proved superior to early Nationalist biplanes like the Fiat CR.32. It later faced more advanced opponents such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109 during the Battle of the Khalkhin Gol against Imperial Japanese Army Air Service aircraft and in the opening phases of Operation Barbarossa. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, it was operated by the Republic of China Air Force against Imperial Japanese Navy fighters. Although increasingly outclassed by newer German designs like the Messerschmitt Bf 109E by 1941, the I-16 remained in widespread frontline use with the Soviet Air Forces during the Eastern Front's early years, often employed in ground-attack roles. It also saw service in the Winter War against Finnish Air Force Gloster Gladiators and Fokker D.XXIs.

Variants

Numerous variants were produced, primarily distinguished by engine upgrades and enhanced armament. The initial I-16 Type 4 and Type 5 were powered by the Shvetsov M-25 engine. The Type 6 introduced a sliding canopy, while the Type 10 featured a more powerful Shvetsov M-25V engine and two additional wing-mounted ShKAS machine guns. The Type 17 was a cannon-armed version equipped with two ShVAK cannons. The Type 18 used the Shvetsov M-62 engine, and the final major production model, the Type 24, incorporated the Shvetsov M-63 and further refinements. Specialized two-seat trainer versions, designated UTI-4, were also built in large numbers. An experimental pressurized high-altitude fighter, the I-16SPB, was developed but did not enter production.

Specifications (I-16 Type 24)

* **Crew:** 1 * **Length:** 6.13 m (20 ft 1 in) * **Wingspan:** 9.00 m (29 ft 6 in) * **Height:** 3.25 m (10 ft 8 in) * **Wing area:** 14.54 m² (156.5 sq ft) * **Empty weight:** 1,490 kg (3,285 lb) * **Gross weight:** 2,095 kg (4,619 lb) * **Powerplant:** 1 × Shvetsov M-63 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 820 kW (1,100 hp) * **Maximum speed:** 525 km/h (326 mph, 283 kn) at 3,000 m (9,843 ft) * **Range:** 700 km (430 mi, 380 nmi) * **Service ceiling:** 9,700 m (31,800 ft) * **Armament:** 2 × 7.62 mm (0.300 in) ShKAS machine guns in the wings, 2 × 20 mm ShVAK cannons in the wings, up to 500 kg (1,100 lb) of bombs or RS-82 rockets

Operators

The primary operator was the Soviet Air Forces, which used it throughout the 1930s and into World War II. It was also exported to several countries, including the Spanish Republic, the Republic of China, and Mongolia. Captured examples were evaluated and sometimes used operationally by Finland (during the Continuation War), Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe, and the Kingdom of Romania. The I-16 remained in service with the Spanish Air Force of the Spanish State until the early 1950s.

Category:Fighter aircraft Category:Soviet fighter aircraft Category:World War II Soviet fighter aircraft