Polikarpov I-15
The Polikarpov I-15 was a Soviet biplane fighter aircraft of the 1930's that was developed from the Polikarpov I-5. Nicknamed Chaika (or "Seagull") because of its gulled upper wings, it was operated in large numbers by the Soviet Air Force, and together with the Polikarpov I-16 monoplane, was one of the standard fighters of the Spanish Republicans during the Spanish Civil War.
The design for the 14th fighter for the VVS, the I-14, started as an advanced (for the era) monoplane under the direction of Andreï Tupolev. He grew concerned that the design would not mature, and ordered two backup biplane designs as the I-14A and B just to be safe. Polikarpov had just been released from prison in August 1932, and was handed the I-14A project. When both the I-14 and I-14A were ordered into production, Polikarpov's design became the famous I-15.
The first flight was made in October 1933 with V.P. Chkalov at the controls. I-15, also known by its development name TsKB-3, a small biplane fighter with a gulled upper wing. It was equipped with one 700 PS (or 515 kW) M-25 engine. Total 674 were built.
Operational history
The I-15 was used in combat extensively by the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War and proved to be one of the best fighter biplanes of its time. The I-15bis also saw a great amount of action in Manchuria in the various border clashes between the Russians and the Japanese. In 1937, I-15s in the hands of the Chinese air force, fought against invading Japanese where the tough biplane began to meet its match in some of the newer, faster Japanese monoplanes. More than 1,000 I-15bis fighters were still in use during the German invasion when the biplane was employed in the ground attack role. By late 1942 all I-15 and I-15 bis were relegated to second line duties.
Variants
- TsKB-3bis: Prototype.
- TsKB-3ter: Prototype fitted with the more powerful M-25V radial piston engine.
- I-15: First production series.
- I-15bis (I-152): Single-seat fighter biplane, armed with four 7.62-mm (or .30-inch) PV-1 or ShKAS machine-guns, plus up to 150 kg (or 330 lb) of bombs. The I-15bis was powered by the more powerful 570 kW (or 775 PS) Shvetsov M-25V radial piston engine. It had a straight upper wing. 2,408 machines were built.
- I-152GK: One aircraft fitted with a pressure cabin.
- I-152TK: One aircraft fitted with two turbochargers.
- I-15ter (I-153): Development of the I-15 with retractable landing gear (see Polikarpov I-153).
- UTI-1 : (Oochebno Trenirovochnyy Istrebitel' – fighter trainer) – Factory-built two-seat trainer version, front cockpit moved forwards, dual controls fitted, 20 built in 1934 but not used by VVS
Operators
- China : Chinese Nationalist Air Force.
- Finland : Finnish Air Force (captured).
- Nazi Germany : Luftwaffe (captured).
- Mongolia Mongolia : Mongolian People's Army Air Force- received more than 40 aircraft in July 1939 – 1942.
- Soviet Union :
- Soviet Air Force.
- Soviet Naval Aviation.
- Spain Spanish Republic : Spanish Republican Air Force.
- Spain : Spanish Air Force – Post civil war.
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