VEF Irbitis I-16
| VEF Irbitis I-16 | |
|---|---|
|
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| Type: | Fighter plane |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| Number of pieces: |
1 |
The VEF I-16 was a Latvian fighter in the prototype stage . It was designed in 1939 by Kārlis Irbītis and built by Valsts elektrotehniskā fabrika (VEF). The development was stopped under the Soviet occupation of Latvia and the associated purge under the staff of the VEF. The only model built was later captured by the German Wehrmacht and tested by the Luftwaffe at the time .
Design features
The I-16 was a conventional monoplane in low-ceiling version with an air-cooled turbo-charged V-12 engine Czechoslovak origin , a two-bladed propeller, blown cockpit cover and rounded wing tips. The prototype had a fixed, non-retractable landing gear, while a retractable landing gear was provided for the series version. The prototype was unarmed, but the installation of two Browning MGs in the fuselage was planned. Additional weapons should be installed under the wings.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 1 |
| length | 7.30 m |
| span | 8.23 m |
| height | 2.70 m |
| Wing area | 11.4 m² |
| Empty mass | 1100 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 1550 kg |
| Wing loading | 136 kg / m² |
| Power to mass ratio | 220 W / kg |
| Top speed | 483 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 8100 m |
| Range | 805 km |
| Engines | a Walter Sagitta I-SR , 343 kW (466 PS) |
| Armament | 2 × MG Browning 0.303 in (7.7 mm) |
