Polikarpov I-15 Chaika
Polikarpov · Soviet Union · first flew 1933 · fighter
The Polikarpov I-15 Chaika (Seagull) was a Soviet single-seat biplane fighter notable for its distinctive gull-shaped upper wing centre section that improved the pilot's forward visibility. It was one of the most manoeuvrable fighters of the mid-1930s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Gull upper wing forming an inverted-U over the fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Gull upper wing forming an inverted-U over the fuselage
- Biplane with distinctive chaika (seagull) wing centre section
- Fixed undercarriage with wheel fairings
The gull-shaped upper wing centre section is the primary identifier of the I-15 proper (the I-15bis has a flat wing). The biplane layout, large Wright Cyclone or Shvetsov M-25 radial, and fixed gear with wheel fairings are also characteristic. Note: source dimensions were recorded in centimetres and have been corrected to 6.1 m length and 9.75 m wingspan.
Specifications
- The Polikarpov I-15 Chaika has a length of 6.1 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.75 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 370 km/h (230 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1933, the I-15 saw extensive combat in the Spanish Civil War (on the Republican side as the 'Chato') and in the Sino-Japanese War, where it proved highly manoeuvrable against Japanese fighters. It was withdrawn from first-line Soviet service by 1941 but remained in use during the opening months of Operation Barbarossa.
Variants
Variants include the I-15, the improved I-15bis with a conventional flat upper wing (abandoning the gull configuration), and the I-153 Chaika with retractable undercarriage, representing the ultimate biplane fighter development.
Where you'll see it
Operated extensively by the Soviet VVS, Republican Spain, China, and the Spanish Nationalists (captured examples); the I-153 served through the early years of the Great Patriotic War.
Related aircraft
- Polikarpov I-16
- Polikarpov TB-2
- Polikarpov I-15bis
- Polikarpov I-180
- Arado Ar 67
- Avia B-534
- Avia B-534-IV
- Boeing XF6B-1
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