Air Weapons

Fighter (1934)

Polikarpov

I-15

I-15
I-15

Developed from the earlier I-5 fighter, the Polikarpov I-15 was the last major biplane fighter used by the Soviet Union and hands down one of the most archaic aircraft to see extensive service during World War II. It was remarkably good for an aircraft of its type and it gave a good account of itself during the Spanish Civil War thanks to decent performance figures and easy handling, it was also instantly recognizable thanks to a prominent upper gull wing which led to its nickname of Chaika (Gull). However, it began to show its age during the clashes with the Japanese in 1939 during the Nomonhan Incident and the Winter War against Finland; by the time of the German invasion it hopelessly obsolete despite a number of improvements throughout its service life. Despite this, it was still used in front line service as far as 1943 due to the USSR's desperate need for fighters.

First flight of the I-15 was during December 1933 and entered service in 1934. It was later replaced by the I-15bis which was used mostly used in Spain and featured a straight upper wing and an improved engine based on the Wright Cyclone. Eventually, the much improved I-153 became the most widely produced version and served during the war mainly as a ground attack aircraft. It returned to the gull wing configuration of the I-15 in addition to having a retractable undercarriage and was modified into the I-153P with 20-mm cannon as well as the I-153V and I-153KGK with pressurized cabins. The strangest variant, however, was the I-153DM which was equipped with auxiliary ramjets.

Preceded by:

None

Succeeded by:

I-16 (1935)

Datafile

DesignI-15I-15bisI-153
TypeFighterFighterFighter
Year193419371939
Crew111
Dimensions
Length6.10 m6.27 m6.18 m
Height2.200 m2.200 m2.800 m
Wing Span9.75 m10.20 m10 m
Wing Arean/an/an/a
Weight
Empty1,106 kg1,243 kg1,219 kg
Loaded1,415 kg1,640 kg1,762 kg
Maximum1,689 kg0 kg1,859 kg
Wing Loading71.7 kg/m²0 kg/m²84.0 kg/m²
Performance
Speed350 km/h367 km/h443 km/h
Speed S/L286 km/h325 km/h365 km/h
Ceiling7,520 m9,100 m9,800 m
Range500 km770 km740 km
Powerplant
Engine1 x M-22
Shvetsov
358 kW
1 x M-25V
Shvetsov
559 kW
1 x M-62
Shvetsov
611 kW
Thrust/Weight0.390.550.61
Armament
Guns4 x 7.62-mm
PV-1 (3,000)
4 x 7.62-mm
PV-1 (3,050)
4 x 7.62-mm
PV-1 (2,500)
Payload---
Production
Built6712,4083,437
Total6,519

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