Polikarpov I-153 Chaika
Dux Factory / State factories · Soviet Union · first flew 1937 · fighter
The Polikarpov I-153 Chaika ('Seagull') was a Soviet gull-wing biplane fighter that represented the final development of the biplane fighter concept. It was the fastest production biplane ever built and unusually featured a retractable undercarriage.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.17 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Biplane fighter with gull-shaped upper wing (Chaika means seagull)
- Retractable undercarriage — unusual for biplanes of the era
- Smooth NACA cowling over radial engine
The sharply cranked gull-shaped upper wing that gives the aircraft its name is the primary identifier; combined with the retractable undercarriage, this biplane is unlike any other of its era.
Specifications
- The Polikarpov I-153 Chaika has a length of 6.17 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 444 km/h (276 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in 1937 as an improved I-15bis, the I-153 first saw combat during the Soviet-Japanese border conflicts at Khalkhin Gol in 1939 and subsequently in the Winter War against Finland. Despite being outclassed by monoplanes by 1941, it continued in front-line Soviet service into the early stages of Operation Barbarossa.
Variants
The I-153P carried two 20 mm ShVAK cannon instead of machine guns; the I-153V tested supercharged engines at high altitude; several sub-variants explored different armament fits.
Where you'll see it
Served extensively with Soviet VVS and naval aviation; Chinese Nationalist forces also operated the type against Japan.
Related aircraft
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