Nikitin-Shevchenko IS
OKB-30 Nikitin-Shevchenko · Soviet Union · first flew 1940 · fighter
The Nikitin-Shevchenko IS was a remarkable Soviet experimental fighter whose lower wing could fold upward in flight, transforming it from a biplane during take-off and landing to a monoplane in cruise — one of the most unconventional aircraft concepts of the era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.79 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unique folding lower wing converts biplane to monoplane in flight
- Main undercarriage housed in the foldable lower wing panels
- Shvetsov radial engine; clean upper monoplane wing when converted
On the ground, appears as a conventional small biplane. In flight at altitude, the lower wing folds flush, presenting a monoplane silhouette — the only aircraft of its era capable of altering its wing configuration in this manner.
Specifications
- The Nikitin-Shevchenko IS has a length of 6.79 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.6 m (28 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 453 km/h (281 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by OKB-30 from 1938 and first flown in 1940, two aircraft were completed. The lower wing's inner panels housed the retracted main undercarriage, so the transition to monoplane configuration simultaneously retracted the gear. Although the conversion worked in flight, monoplane performance proved inferior to the MiG-3 and Yak-1 already entering service, and the German invasion in June 1941 ended the programme.
Variants
Two prototypes designated IS-1 and IS-2 were completed; no production followed.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; evaluated and abandoned before the war situation demanded focus on proven designs.
Related aircraft
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