Polikarpov I-16
| Polikarpov I-16 | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Fighter plane |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
December 31, 1933 |
| Commissioning: |
1934 |
| Production time: |
1934-1943 |
| Number of pieces: |
8,643 |
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The Polikarpow I-16 ( Russian Поликарпов И-16 ) was a Soviet fighter from the 1930s with an air-cooled nine-cylinder radial engine . Of the central design office of the Moscow State aircraft plant no. 1 ( Russian Государственный авиационный завод № 1 [ГАЗ № 1] ) under the direction of Nikolai Polikarpow developed low-wing monoplane in composite construction was the first mass plane with retractable landing gear .
A total of 8,643 machines were built, 1,639 of which were a two-seater trainer version.
General
With its often underestimated maneuverability, even as an ancient aircraft type and with hopeless inferiority, it has always had surprising successes. It received various nicknames: Because of its critical take-off and landing properties, the Soviet air forces called it Ischak (donkey); it was also called Jastrebok (falcon) there and by the Finnish Air Force because it seemed to be able to stand in the air.
In the Spanish Civil War they called the republican troops half appreciatively, half disdainfully, Mosca (fly), and on the side of their opponents, the Falangists and the German Condor Legion fighting in Spain , Rata (rat) had become naturalized. Pilots of the Japanese Army Air Force , whom they faced in the Sino-Japanese War , disparagingly called them Abu (horse brake). The Polikarpow I-16 also became famous in the initial phase of the " Operation Barbarossa ", the attack by the Wehrmacht on the Soviet Union, with which the German-Soviet War began on June 22, 1941 .
development
Due to a demand for a fast single-seater hunting man from 1932, Pawel Suchoi at the ZAGI and Nikolai Polikarpow at the ZKB began developing two different types. The ZAGI draft I-14 was not pursued after 18 machines were built, as the type ZKB-12 from Polikarpow was very promising.
After nine months of development, the ZKB-12 made its maiden flight on December 31, 1933 with Valeri Tschkalow as pilot with the M-22 radial engine, a Soviet license built by the British Bristol Jupiter . Another prototype was created - the ZKB-12bis equipped with an American Wright R-1820 Cyclone . During testing, it reached the impressive speed of 437 km / h at an altitude of 3,000 meters and was therefore superior to all known fighter aircraft.
Series production of the first version I-16 Type 1 began in mid-1934. After that, the model was continuously developed. A year later, the I-16 was presented to the international public at the May 1st military parade in Moscow and a little later at an exhibition in Milan .
commitment
To support the Republican troops in the Spanish Civil War, the Soviet Union delivered the I-16 to the Air Force of the Spanish Republic ( Fuerzas Aéreas de la República Española , FARE). On October 31, 1936, the first 31 Polikarpow planes arrived. They were given the nickname Mosca (fly).
The total of 157 type 5 and 6 machines and 136 type 10 machines delivered were designated as Super Mosca . After the end of the Second World War , 22 machines were still airworthy, 30 more were built in Jerez and were in flight operations until the end of 1953. Against the double-decker fighters of the putschists, such as the Heinkel He 51 deployed by the German Air Force as part of the Condor Legion , it proved itself excellently through its speed and tight curve radius. It was also able to hold its own against the first Messerschmitt Bf 109 versions B, C and D. On the part of the Soviet Union, this led to the development of new fighter aircraft being postponed. The I-16s proved to be inferior in terms of performance to the Bf 109 E, which was used from 1938/39, but this did not attract much attention in the Soviet Union. This was probably also due to the fact that the Bf 109E only appeared in Spain when the Soviet Union had largely withdrawn from there. Ultimately, the Soviet Union overlooked the fact that the I-16 was at the end of its development potential, while the Bf 109 was just beginning. A planned series production of the I-16 in Spain was no longer possible before the end of the civil war.
The I-16 was also exported to China, which used it against the Imperial Japanese Army in 1937 and 1938 . The I-16 was used in the Soviet-Japanese border disputes of 1939 as well as in the Finnish winter war of 1939/40. While the I-16 proved itself against the Japanese, the tide turned against Finland. The few, but better trained pilots in Finland shot down significantly more Soviet planes than the other way around.
At the beginning of the “ Great Patriotic War ” in the summer of 1941, the I-16 was the most widely used fighter in the Soviet air force. Most of the I-16 units deployed on the Western Front, however, were devastated by the German Air Force. The I-16 was hopelessly out of date against the German aircraft. Initially, the pilots of the Luftwaffe were surprised by the unusual maneuverability of the I-16. In particular, the ability of Soviet fighters to "turn around on the wing tip" made them no easy opponent, but the inadequate training of the new Soviet pilots soon became noticeable. The lack of radio equipment made matters worse. For example, Soviet pilots could not react flexibly to opponents or new targets that suddenly appeared, and they still flew according to outdated tactics (three-way chain instead of a pair). While a Bf 109 could catch up with an I-16 or fly away from it at any time, the I-16 pilots often only had the extremely risky ramming as a last resort in order to be successful against the modern Messerschmitt fighters. At the end of 1943 it was finally withdrawn from service at the front, since at that point in time there were enough more advanced models available.
construction
The I-16 was a small monoplane with a spindle-shaped fuselage in composite construction, planked with aluminum at the front and plywood at the rear. The wing consisted of two tubular steel spars with duralumin ribs and fabric covering, the slotted ailerons ran over the entire span and also served as landing flaps. The main landing gear was retracted manually with a hand crank, which required about 44 turns.
New buildings
Towards the end of the 1990s, the Moscow Society for the Restoration of Historic Aircraft, in cooperation with the former manufacturing plant in Novosibirsk , resumed limited production of I-16 and I-153 , using original parts from wrecks found in northwestern Russia. Parts of two recovered I-15s were also used in the construction. The still existing original drawings and the technical equipment could also be used. The performance data of the aircraft created in this way largely correspond to the historical models, especially since the original M-62 engine is used as the drive. The first newbuildings (six I-16s and three I-153s) were sold to New Zealand for US $ 200,000 each. The aircraft are fully suitable for aerobatics and are also presented and flown at air shows. The reconstructed I-16 with the serial number 2421319, which formerly had the New Zealand approval ZK-JIN, was sold to Germany and received the approval D-EPRN (for "Polikarpov Red Nine" ).
Versions
- I-16 type 1 (ZKB-12)
First series with an M-22 engine , two SchKAS -MG in the wings and increased take-off mass, which emerged from the first prototype . A small series of 30 pieces was created. In 1935 a few examples were equipped with two bombs under the wings for the Sweno project.
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1934 (ZKB-12 1933) |
| drive | M-22, takeoff power 480 HP (353 kW) |
| Top speed | 359 km / h near the ground, 325 km / h at an altitude of 4000 m |
| Rise time | 9.4 min at 5000 m altitude |
| Summit height | 7130 m |
| Range | 720 km |
| Time for a full circle | 14.3 s |
| Takeoff mass | 1311 kg (ZKB-12: 1345 kg) |
| Armament | two 7.62 mm MG SchKAS |
- I-16 series (ZKB-12bis)
Version derived from the second prototype ZKB-12bis with armored back plate for the pilot and closed canopy. A small series was created.
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1934 |
| drive | Wright Cyclone, takeoff power 712 PS (524 kW) |
| Top speed | 382 km / h near the ground, 437 km / h at an altitude of 3000 m |
| Rise time | 6.8 min at 5000 m altitude |
| Summit height | 8640 |
| Range | 800 km |
| Time for a full circle | 15.0 s |
| Empty mass | 1150 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 1420 kg |
| Armament | two 7.62 mm MG SchKAS |
- I-16 type 4
Production model with M-25 drive (license Wright R-1820) and 8 mm armor plate behind the pilot. A small series was created. The first copies had a closed canopy.
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1934 |
| drive | M-25, takeoff power 700 HP (515 kW) |
| Top speed | 395 km / h near the ground 455 km / h at an altitude of 4000 m |
| Rise time | 6.2 min at 5000 m altitude |
| Summit height | 9280 |
| Range | 820 km |
| Time for a full circle | 15.0 s |
| Empty mass | 1160 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 1422 kg |
| Armament | two 7.62 mm MG SchKAS + 200 kg bombs |
- I-16 type 5
Further development of the type 4 and a large-scale model with an AW-1 propeller, underwing stations and modified engine cowling. Over 1,500 were made. Some copies received a rigid chassis. Two Type 5s were converted into attack aircraft with six SchKAS-MG on wing consoles in 1936. The machine guns could be pivoted downwards by 10 °. Some others were converted for the Sweno experiments.
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1935 |
| drive | M-25, takeoff power 700 HP (515 kW) |
| Top speed | 395 km / h near the ground 454 km / h at 3000 m altitude |
| Rise time | 6.2 min at 5000 m altitude |
| Summit height | 9200 m |
| Range | 820 km |
| Time for a full circle | 15.0 s |
| Empty mass | 1200 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 1460 kg |
| Armament | two 7.62 mm MG SchKAS + 200 kg bombs |
- ZKB-18 (I-16Sch)
Attack aircraft variant of Type 1 from 1935 with an armored cabin (for the first time in Soviet aviation) and four SchKAS or PW-1 machine guns . One copy built.
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1935 |
| drive | M-22, takeoff power 480 HP (353 kW) |
| Top speed | 350 km / h near the ground |
| Summit height | 6800 m |
| Takeoff mass | 1518 kg |
| Armament | four 7.62 mm MG SchKAS or PW-1 |
- I-16P
More heavily armed prototype derived from the Type 5 for testing the newly developed 20 mm SchWAK cannon (150 shells each) and six bomb locks under the wings. The attack aircraft of the same name (prototype ZKB-12P ), which was also built in series (data in brackets) , was later developed from the I-16P and the Type 10 .
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1936 (1938) |
| drive | Wright Cyclone, takeoff power 712 PS (524 kW) (M-25W, takeoff power 750 PS (552 kW)) |
| Top speed | 390 km / h near the ground 444 km / h at 3000 m altitude (440 km / h) |
| Rise time | 7.4 min at 5000 m altitude |
| Summit height | 8250 m |
| Range | (550 km) |
| Empty mass | (1508 kg) |
| Takeoff mass | 1640 kg (1670 kg) |
| Armament | two 7.62 mm MG SchKAS, two 20 mm MK SchWAK, six bombs (two SchWAK + two SchKAS or four SchWAK) |
- I-16 type 6
Series version produced in 1937 with a more powerful M-25A engine and reinforced airframe. For winter use, some models were equipped with non-retractable skid-type chassis. The flight performance decreased accordingly (data in brackets).
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1937 |
| drive | M-25A, takeoff power 730 PS (537 kW) |
| Top speed | 390 km / h near the ground (354 km / h) 440 km / h at 3000 m altitude (385 km / h) |
| Rise time | 6.3 min at 5000 m altitude (7.75 min) |
| Summit height | 9100 m |
| Range | 810 km |
| Time for a full circle | 15.5 s |
| Empty mass | 1260 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 1660 kg |
| Armament | two 7.62 mm MG SchKAS + 200 kg bombs |
- I-16 type 10
Most important series variant from 1937 with two additional SchKAS -MG above the engine and a higher starting mass. The type could be equipped with retractable runners in winter and had a wider and bulletproof windshield. Some machines received Wright Cyclone R-1820-F-54 engines. For better performance at high altitudes, some Type 10s were fitted with TK-1 turbochargers (data in brackets).
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1937 |
| drive | M-25W, takeoff power 750 PS (552 kW) (M-25WTK, 750 PS (552 kW)) |
| Top speed | 389 km / h near the ground 440 km / h at 3000 m altitude (494 km / h at 8,600 m altitude) |
| Rise time | 6.9 min at 5,000 m altitude (6.1 min) |
| Summit height | 8,270 m (11,000 m) |
| Range | 800 km (800 km) |
| Time for a full circle | 16.5 s |
| Empty mass | 1,350 kg (1,443 kg) |
| Takeoff mass | 1,715 kg (1,840 kg) |
| Armament | four 7.62 mm MG SchKAS |
- I-16 type 17
Modernized Type 10 with a higher overall mass and reinforced armament, was built in large series.
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1938 |
| drive | M-25W, takeoff power 750 PS (552 kW) |
| Top speed | 385 km / h near the ground, 425 km / h at an altitude of 5,000 m |
| Rise time | 8.9 min at an altitude of 5,000 m |
| Summit height | 8,000 m (11,000 m) |
| Range | 800 km |
| Time for a full circle | 18.0 s |
| Empty mass | 1,495 kg (1,443 kg) |
| Takeoff mass | 1,810 kg |
| Armament | two 7.62 mm MG SchKAS or BS two 20 mm MK SchWAK |
- I-16 type 18
Modernized Type 10 with M-62R supercharger engine and reduced fuel supply, alternatively two additional tanks could be carried. Armed with four SchKAS . Serial production.
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1939 |
| drive | M-62, takeoff power 750 PS (552 kW) (M-25WTK, 750 PS (552 kW)) |
| Top speed | 411 km / h near the ground 464 km / h at 4800 m altitude |
| Rise time | 6.0 min at 5000 m altitude |
| Summit height | 9470 m |
| Range | 800 km |
| Time for a full circle | 18.5 s |
| Empty mass | 1400 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 1830 kg |
| Armament | four 7.62 mm MG SchKAS |
- I-16 type 24
Most built and most powerful of all types with M-25E or M-62 drive, later M-63 were installed on a trial basis . The model received reinforced wings and larger drop tanks; most were equipped with radio and oxygen devices. The armament was also reinforced. The Type 24 was built from 1939. Turbocharged TK-1 machines also appeared.
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1939 |
| crew | 1 |
| length | 6.04 m |
| span | 8.88 m |
| height | 2.41 m |
| Wing area | 14.87 m² |
| drive | an air-cooled Schwezow M-62 nine- cylinder radial engine |
| power | 746 kW (1,000 PS) 1,000 PS (735 kW) |
| Top speed | 440 km / h near the ground 489 km / h at an altitude of 3,000 m 525 km / h at an altitude of 4,500 m |
| Rise time | 5.8 minutes at an altitude of 5,000 m |
| Summit height | 11,000 m |
| Service ceiling | 9,470 m |
| Range | normal 400 km maximum 600 km |
| Time for a full circle | 18.5 s |
| Empty mass | 1,475 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 1,912 kg |
| Armament | four 7.62 mm MG SchKAS or two SchKAS and two 20 mm MK SchWAK 200 kg bombs or six RS-82 missiles at lower wing stations |
- ZKB-29 (SPB)
1936 dive test version with pneumatically operated landing gear and landing flaps.
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1936 |
| drive | Wright Cyclone, takeoff power 712 PS (524 kW) |
| Top speed | 450 km / h at an altitude of 3000 m |
| Summit height | 9000 m |
| Takeoff mass | 1455 kg |
- I-16SPB
For the Sweno project , the I-16 used as a subsidiary aircraft with two 250 kg bombs under the wings. TB-3 bombers served as mother aircraft . Technical data can be found in the Sweno article.
- I-16UTI-4
A two-seater school version built in 1600 copies from types 5, 6 or 10; they were available with rigid or retractable landing gear. The older versions were called UTI-1 and UTI-2 . UTI stands for Uchebno-trenirowotschny Istrebitel ( Russian Учебно-тренировочный Истребитель ), training and training fighter aircraft.
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Construction year | 1937 |
| drive | M-25A, takeoff power 730 PS (537 kW) |
| Top speed | 347 km / h near the ground 389 km / h at 3000 m altitude |
| Rise time | 6.3 min at 5000 m |
| Summit height | 6400 m |
| Range | 600 km |
| Time for a full circle | 18.0 s |
| Empty mass | 1200 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 1492 kg |
| Armament | no |
- I-16 type 28 / type 30
After production ended in 1939, it was resumed in 1941 and these two variants with an M-63 engine appeared. 450 pieces were built.
Countries of operation
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Soviet Union
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Spain
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China
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Mongolia
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Poland (for training purposes)
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As prey planes also in the air force of:
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See also
literature
- Olaf Groehler : History of the Air War 1910 to 1980. Military Publishing House of the German Democratic Republic , Berlin 1981, DNB 203288572 , p. 195.
- Wilfried Copenhagen : Soviet fighters. transpress, Berlin 1985, DNB 850798752
- Peter Stache: Polikarpow I-16. In: Fliegerrevue . 7/1970.
- Jefim Gordon , Keith Dexter: Polikarpov's I-16 Fighter. Its Forerunners and Progeny . Red Star, Leicester 2002, ISBN 1-85780-131-8 (English).
- Václav Němeček: Polikarpov I-16 Část 1 . In: Letectví a kosmonautika . No. 9 , 1976 (Czech).
Individual evidence
- ^ Peter Stache: Polikarpow I-16. In: Flieger Revue 7/1970, p. 301.
- ↑ according to Olaf Groehler: History of the Air War 1910 to 1980. Military publishing house of the German Democratic Republic, Berlin 1981, p. 195 6,555 units were built.
- ↑ Jim Winchester: Fighter Planes. The best fighters and fighter-bombers in the world from 1914 until today. Parragon, ISBN 978-1-4454-3522-0 , p. 50.
- ↑ Peter Misch: Polikarpows Tchaika flies again . In: Fliegerrevue . No. 6/1999 , p. 52-55 .
- ↑ The history of the D-EPRN at flying-wings.com, accessed on December 31, 2018, English language
