Polikarpov I-16
Polikarpov · Soviet Union · first flew 1933 · fighter
The Polikarpov I-16 was the world's first low-wing cantilever monoplane fighter with retractable undercarriage to enter service, becoming the mainstay of Soviet fighter aviation in the late 1930s. Its stubby, rotund fuselage gave it the nicknames 'Donkey' and 'Ishak' (Little Donkey) among Soviet pilots.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Stubby barrel-fuselage monoplane fighter of the 1930s |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Stubby barrel-fuselage monoplane fighter of the 1930s
- Retractable undercarriage — early for Soviet design
- Open or enclosed cockpit depending on variant
Unmistakable short, barrel-bodied monoplane with a round-cowled radial engine, retractable undercarriage and a very short fuselage relative to the wing span; unlike any other fighter of its era.
Specifications
- The Polikarpov I-16 has a length of 6.13 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9 m (30 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 525 km/h (326 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-16 was revolutionary in concept—its short, fat fuselage made it highly manoeuvrable but tricky to fly. It saw combat in the Spanish Civil War where it fought against Nationalist Fiats and was known as the 'Mosca' (Fly) to Republicans and 'Rata' (Rat) to Nationalists. It bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe's initial onslaught in 1941 and was hopelessly outclassed by the Bf 109, suffering catastrophic losses before being replaced.
Variants
Numerous variants from the Type 4 to Type 29, with progressive engine upgrades; the Type 24 was the most common late-model version.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Soviet Air Forces, Republican Spain, China and Mongolia; saw heavy combat in Spain, China and in the opening phase of Operation Barbarossa.
Related aircraft
- Polikarpov I-15 Chaika
- 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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