Polikarpov И-16 Ishak / I-16 Donkey
Technical Information
Background
The Polikarpov I-16 was a Soviet fighter aircraft of revolutionary design; it was the world's first cantilever-winged monoplane fighter with retractable landing gear. In Russian, Ishak means Donkey. Also known as Ishachok meaning Burro.
The I-16 was introduced in 1934 and formed the backbone of the Soviet Air Force at the beginning of World War II. Known to Russian pilots as "jastrebok" (little hawk) or "lastocka" (swallow).
Combat History
The I-153 first saw combat in the 1938 Spanish Civil War and Second Sino-Japanese War. During May-August 1939 during the Soviet-Japanese undeclared war in eastern Mongolia during the Battle of Khalkhin Gol / Nomonhan Incident.
Production
A total 8,644 were built when production ended in 1943.
Technical Details
Crew One (pilot)
Engine 1 x Shvetsov M-63 supercharged air-cooled radial engine, 820 kW (1,100 hp) driving a two-blade propeller
Span 9m
Length 6.13m
Height 3.25m
Maximum Speed 326 mph at 9,845 ft
Range 435 miles (with drop tanks)
Armament 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS MG (cowl) 2 x 20mm ShVAK cannons (wings)
Bombload 6 × unguided RS-82 rockets or bombs up to 500 kg