OT: I-16 Images

[DennyA]

Went to watch the Polikarpov I-16 fly in Everett yesterday and thought I'd share the shots with you guys. (Posting in FSX as the IL-2 forum's pretty dead.) Along with getting a chance to talk to the Flying Heritage Collection's pilot about the plane, I also got a chance to meet Octavio Ochhoa, who flew I-16s during the Spanish Civil War at age 16. Very cool.

 

[heywooood]

one of my favorite planes in Il2 - '4 days in October' was nice little mission pack to fly...

the hearty lil Moska would be a nice warbird for FSX

 

[falcon409]

....the hearty lil Moska would be a nice warbird for FSX

I fly the Rata at least once a week in FSX. While it isn't a true FSX model, I've found nothing to keep it from performing quite nicely in FSX.

 

[foreigndevil]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[gajit]

Yes - very interesting - tx :ernae:

 

[Mr.Mugel]

Seen one two weeks ago, what an interesting bird, sound was great, too!

Nice pictures, looks like you had a good view of the plane!

 

[falcon409]

Some shots of Woody's Rata flying around Perth:

 

[Bjoern]

Cannon fodder. :d

 

[spotlope]

Is that Rata original, or a replica? I'd have thought those would be damn hard to find these days.

 

[DennyA]

Nope, it's real. Six original I-16s were restored to flying condition in New Zealand in 1999. (Along with three I-153s.) Flying Heritage has one; the CAF has another. The pilot said Jerry Yagen has another one in Florida, but he can't find anyone foolish enough to want to fly it.

All of the Flying Heritage Collection planes are real, restored aircraft. Next week I'm going to go see the Bf-109E (real German engine, not a Merlin-engined license-built plane) and Storch fly. Among the other rare flyable planes they have are a Zero, Oscar, P-40B, FW-190D-13, and a Hurricane Mk. XIIb. They also have an Me-163 and the Fi-103R (manned V-1) on static display. It's an awesome collection.

 

[Bomber_12th]

Thanks for posting the photos! I saw on some other forums that the collection's other Polikarpov, the PO-2, flew as well. In one a prior display, earlier this year, the P-40C had flown with the I-16, because the P-40's airframe served with the Russian airforce during WWII. Eventually it is planned to repaint the P-40C in Russian markings once again.

Of the collections of flyable warbirds around the globe, you really can't top the FHC. If you want to see the most authentic P-51D and P-47D restorations, you go there. The collection currently has a B-25J and FG-1D Corsair under restoration, to the same exacting standards, which will make them the most accurate of their types in existence. The collection also has an original FW-190-A5, FW-189-A1, P-38, B-17E, ME-262A, and two other Zero's, under restoration/in storage.

Someday I am going to have to make the journey up there to see the collection...with the oppurtunity to see the Museum of Flight and the Historic Flight Collection as well, all within the same area.

 

[gera]

This is another one of the ugly russians.....the Republican Fiats 32 use to blow them out of the sky like what they were--- "red ratas".

 

[Naki]

Nope, it's real. Six original I-16s were restored to flying condition in New Zealand in 1999. (Along with three I-153s.) Flying Heritage has one; the CAF has another. The pilot said Jerry Yagen has another one in Florida, but he can't find anyone foolish enough to want to fly it.

All of the Flying Heritage Collection planes are real, restored aircraft. Next week I'm going to go see the Bf-109E (real German engine, not a Merlin-engined license-built plane) and Storch fly. Among the other rare flyable planes they have are a Zero, Oscar, P-40B, FW-190D-13, and a Hurricane Mk. XIIb. They also have an Me-163 and the Fi-103R (manned V-1) on static display. It's an awesome collection.

Ive been lucky enough to see two of these in formation with one I-153 at Wanaka one year, although previous shows had five or six in formation. Very distintive sound and very tricky to land. Seen a vid clip of the late Mark Hanna landing one and bouncing down the runway at Wanaka..if he has problems landing no doubt any decent pilot would.

Love to see the full FHC collection (especially the Bf-109E) ..I think that Oscar is also restored in New Zealand. Now a flying Me-163 would be something to see! ..not that would happen but you never know.

 

[peter12213]

I love the little Rata, very nice shots and does that one work in fsx accel??

 

[falcon409]

I love the little Rata, very nice shots and does that one work in fsx accel??

Yes!

 

[Bjoern]

This is another one of the ugly russians.....the Republican Fiats 32 use to blow them out of the sky like what they were--- "red ratas".

Actually, I doubt that.

Until the Bf-109 entered the scene, the Ratas were just about the best thing operating in the skies over Spain.

 

[gera]

Actually, I doubt that.

Until the Bf-109 entered the scene, the Ratas were just about the best thing operating in the skies over Spain.

Read about it. The fiats were a bit slower but the pilots were better trained and highly motivated, that made a big difference....There are many books on the subject but hardly any in English. Check out the many Spanish and Italian ones, many highly illustrated.......anyway the commies do think, wrongly, like you.....sorry to say.--heheheheeheh!

 

[Bjoern]

Read about it. The fiats were a bit slower but the pilots were better trained and highly motivated, that made a big difference....There are many books on the subject but hardly any in English. Check out the many Spanish and Italian ones, many highly illustrated.......anyway the commies do think, wrongly, like you.....sorry to say.--heheheheeheh!

Fair enough.
I haven't considered pilot training as a factor in that war.

 

[gera]

Fair enough.
I haven't considered pilot training as a factor in that war.

You get an "A+" and a beer or why not?....a good glass of Chianti!!!!

 

[DennyA]

Actually, I asked Mr. Ochoa what he flew against, and he said there were all sorts of planes... But the best plane the other side had was... the Fiat!