Polikarpov I-207
Polikarpov OKB · Soviet Union · first flew 1937 · fighter
The Polikarpov I-207 was a refined Soviet biplane fighter developed as a potential successor to the I-15 series, featuring a single-bay sesquiplane layout and improved aerodynamics.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.12 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- single-bay sesquiplane layout
- radial engine with tight cowling
- enclosed cockpit
A neat single-bay biplane with a significantly smaller lower wing (sesquiplane), a tightly cowled radial engine, and an enclosed cockpit that give it a more modern appearance than the I-15. The clean lines and narrow-chord wings help distinguish it from the earlier Polikarpov biplanes.
Specifications
- The Polikarpov I-207 has a length of 6.12 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7 m (23 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 486 km/h (302 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed in 1937 by Aleksei Borovkov and Ivan Florov working within the Polikarpov bureau, the I-207 explored how far biplane performance could be pushed. Four prototypes were completed with progressively more powerful engines, achieving competitive speeds for a biplane but inferior to contemporary monoplanes.
Variants
Four variants were built (I-207/1 through I-207/4), each fitted with a different engine from the Shvetsov M-62 to the M-63.
Where you'll see it
Never entered production; the monoplane trend — exemplified by the LaGG-3 and MiG-1 — rendered further biplane development unnecessary.
Related aircraft
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