Pashinin I-21
Sokol (Plant No. 21) · Soviet Union · first flew 1940 · fighter
The Pashinin I-21 was a Soviet single-seat fighter prototype of 1940, designed by M.M. Pashinin at Gorky Plant No. 21 (Sokol) to compete with the Yak-1 and LaGG-3 in the new-generation fighter competition. It showed promise but was not selected for production.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.73 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Soviet WWII-era experimental fighter prototype
- Single inline engine low-wing monoplane with retractable undercarriage
- Competing design to the Yak-1 and LaGG-3 that was not selected
A conventional low-wing monoplane fighter with a liquid-cooled inline engine and retractable undercarriage; broadly similar to the Yak-1 and LaGG-3 in configuration, making identification difficult without documentation.
Specifications
- The Pashinin I-21 has a length of 8.73 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.4 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 580 km/h (360 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed to meet the same specification as the Yakovlev Yak-1 and Lavochkin LaGG-3, the I-21 first flew in 1940. Despite achieving a competitive maximum speed, the design had handling deficiencies and structural issues that prevented it from being accepted. The Soviet decision to standardise on the Yak-1 and LaGG-3 meant the I-21 remained a prototype.
Variants
Two prototype versions were built with minor differences; no production followed.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; used solely for Soviet state acceptance trials in 1940–1941.
Related aircraft
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