In 1933, Russian Nicolay Polikarpov developed one of the most outstanding biplanes ever used in combat. The Polikarpov I-15 had amazing combat performance due to its gull-shaped top wing that allowed the plane to do a complete turn in eight seconds. Although the first 59 planes were built with an American 630-hp Wright Cyclone engines, they were quickly replaced with Soviet made M-22 and M-25 radial engines that increased the horsepower.
Pilots of the I-15 had two main complaints. The gull-shaped wing did not allow the pilots to view the horizon during flight and especially while landing. Also, at high speeds the plane was unstable during level flight, which would complicate the attack of an enemy airplane and make it difficult to aim the machine gun. In 1935 Nicolay Polikarpov was asked to design and perfect the I-16 monoplane by the Air Force Red Army in response to the negative feedback on the I-15 from pilots.
The Polikarpov I-15 did not go away. In October of 1936 the Soviet Union sent a squadron of I-15's to the support of the Spanish Republic, where these maneuverable biplanes were unexpectedly popular in their combat role. Inexperienced pilots could learn to fly the Polikarpov I-15 very quickly and it was easy to take off and land. This new found excitement for the plane forced the Soviet Air Force to renew their manufacturing contract for more Polikarpov I-15s with a few modifications from Nicolay. The top wing was no longer gull-shaped, the M-25 750-hp engine was installed, and a new exhaust system added, to make up this new I-15bis. The term "bis" meant second version or variant. In 1938, 1,104 I-15bis airplanes were manufactured which made it the most mass produced Soviet fighter of that period. In 1939, an additional 1,304 Polikarpov I-15bis aircraft's were produced, just before the contract was over and production of the I-153 began. The final 27 Polikarpov I-15bis to roll off the assembly line were equipped with the M-62 900 hp engine.
Soviet Air Force pilots came to love the I-15bis because all of the flaws from the previous version were no longer present and the plane was very stable and performed excellent in combat. In 1941 there were still several Polikarpov I-15bis aircraft patrolling the borders of the USSR. They began to be used for auxiliary tasks such as investigating artillery fire, destruction of nightlights, night attacks, and anti submarine defense along the coast. Slowly they were replaced by the MiG-3, LaGG-3, and the Yak-1. The I-15bis remained at several airfields and warehouses as their replacements were being delivered. During the many years of service the I-15bis was used in Spain, Mongolia, Finland, Russia, and even during the Japanese campaign in 1945.
These I-15bis were used by the Air Force of the Red Army until 1945 and in Mongolia several years thereafter. Spain received 30 I-15bis in 1939 which were designated "Super Chato" and flew until the mid 1940s.
This file is Freeware. Use it & enjoy it but do not make money from my work. It must not be
included in a commercial.
"Erafitti"
Submitted by erafitti
Pilots of the I-15 had two main complaints. The gull-shaped wing did not allow the pilots to view the horizon during flight and especially while landing. Also, at high speeds the plane was unstable during level flight, which would complicate the attack of an enemy airplane and make it difficult to aim the machine gun. In 1935 Nicolay Polikarpov was asked to design and perfect the I-16 monoplane by the Air Force Red Army in response to the negative feedback on the I-15 from pilots.
The Polikarpov I-15 did not go away. In October of 1936 the Soviet Union sent a squadron of I-15's to the support of the Spanish Republic, where these maneuverable biplanes were unexpectedly popular in their combat role. Inexperienced pilots could learn to fly the Polikarpov I-15 very quickly and it was easy to take off and land. This new found excitement for the plane forced the Soviet Air Force to renew their manufacturing contract for more Polikarpov I-15s with a few modifications from Nicolay. The top wing was no longer gull-shaped, the M-25 750-hp engine was installed, and a new exhaust system added, to make up this new I-15bis. The term "bis" meant second version or variant. In 1938, 1,104 I-15bis airplanes were manufactured which made it the most mass produced Soviet fighter of that period. In 1939, an additional 1,304 Polikarpov I-15bis aircraft's were produced, just before the contract was over and production of the I-153 began. The final 27 Polikarpov I-15bis to roll off the assembly line were equipped with the M-62 900 hp engine.
Soviet Air Force pilots came to love the I-15bis because all of the flaws from the previous version were no longer present and the plane was very stable and performed excellent in combat. In 1941 there were still several Polikarpov I-15bis aircraft patrolling the borders of the USSR. They began to be used for auxiliary tasks such as investigating artillery fire, destruction of nightlights, night attacks, and anti submarine defense along the coast. Slowly they were replaced by the MiG-3, LaGG-3, and the Yak-1. The I-15bis remained at several airfields and warehouses as their replacements were being delivered. During the many years of service the I-15bis was used in Spain, Mongolia, Finland, Russia, and even during the Japanese campaign in 1945.
These I-15bis were used by the Air Force of the Red Army until 1945 and in Mongolia several years thereafter. Spain received 30 I-15bis in 1939 which were designated "Super Chato" and flew until the mid 1940s.
This file is Freeware. Use it & enjoy it but do not make money from my work. It must not be
included in a commercial.
"Erafitti"
Submitted by erafitti
