Russian Polikarpov I-16 - similar to the P-26 Peashooter - but different

Here are some pics of a Polikarpov I-16 which is an open cockpit plane. It is part of Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Collection and is flown at Paine Field WA. 2 of the pics from a video clip show a mock attack on a much slower Polikarpov.

Russian Polikarpov I-16 - similar to the P-26 Peashooter - but different

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And more advanced than the P-26, to which it owes nothing, not to mention the ground breaking introduction of 'modern' features in a fighter. That particular machine was one of the aircraft pulled out of Russia and restored in Novosibirsk for Sir Tim Wallis' Alpine Fighter Collection, before being sent to New Zealand.

The only thing remotely American about the I-16, was it's ASh-62 radial, which was based on the Wright R-1820 (built under license in the Soviet Union as the M-25).
It's open cockpit, low-wing design was a transitional development that appeared with quite a few aircraft manufacturers of that point in time.

Polikarpov I-16 type 29

The I-16 was developed in Polikarpov design bureau in 1932 and after 1934 it was build in increasing numbers on 39-th production plant in Moscow and later on 21-st plant in Nizhny Novgorod. The serial production continued until 1941.
Highly rear balanced (more than 30%) the I-16 was unstable in flight which at this time was considered normal and even desirable for better maneu-verability. This made pilot training rather difficult, however those who could fly the I-16 easily converted to other types.
The 1-16 became the world's first mass-produced fighter — 10292 were built, including the UTI-4, advanced trainer two-seat aircraft. A genius combination of production simplicity and good performance allowed it to remain in service for almost 10 years. The I-16 took part in several wars — in Spain, China, Mongolia, Finland. During the WW II it was employed on Eastern front until 1942 and remained in service with some units until 1945.
1933-1939 FightersDI-6I-15I-15 bisI-153 ChaikaI-16 type 5I-16 type 24 Crew 2 1 1 1 1 1 Year of issue 1937 1934 1937 1939 1936 1940 Dimensions Length, m 7.0 6.1 6.27 6.17 6.07 6.13 Wing span, m 10.0 9.75 10.2 10.0 9.0 9.0 Wing area, m² 25.2 23.55 22.5 22.14 14.54 14.54 Weight, kg: Loaded weight 2038 1390 1700 1765 1590 1882 Powerplant Engine M-25V M-25 M-25V M-62 M-25A M-63 Power, hp 775 640 775 1000 715 1100 Performance Maximum speed, km/h at sea level 334 315 327 364 390 415 at altitude 382 367 379 424 445 470 m 3000 3000 3500 5000 2700 4800 Time to 5000 m, min 9.2 6.2 6.6 5.7 7.4 5.8 Time of turn, sec 11-12 9.0 10.5 13-13.5 14-15 17-18 Service ceiling, m 8300 9800 9300 10700 9100 9900 Service range, km - 550 520 560 540 440 Armament Machine guns 3 2 4 4 2 4

Polikarpov I-16 type 20 (# 1021681, type 10 with two 200l fuel tanks)