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Polikarpov I-16
Developed in 1933, the I-16 proved to be a handful to fly. It's speed and rate of climb were impressive enough however to see it developed further and put into production. In October of 1936, supplies of the type were supplied to the Spanish Republican Air Arm. Eventually 278 I-16's of various models were supplied to Spain with a further 10 being licensed built before the government surrender in March 1939.
The type was thoroughly outdated by the time of the German invasion but the pilots fought hard against the Luftwaffe despite heavy losses. It became renowned for Taran ramming attacks where it's innate ruggedness helped the ramming pilot survive ramming attacks that would have demolished most other aircraft.
Type: Single-Seat Fighter
Power plant:
Engine: 1
Shvetsov M-62 9-Cylinder air cooled Radial
1,000 hp
Dimensions:
Wing span: 29 ft. 1¼ in. (8.88m)
Length: 19 ft. 9¾ in. (6.04m)
Height: 7 ft. 10¾ in. (2.41m)
Weight:
4,546 lbs.
Performance:
Maximum Speed:
286 mph at 14,765 ft.
Service Ceiling: 31,070 ft. (9470m)
Range:
250 miles
Armament:
Two 7.62mm ShKAS machine gun in fuselage
Two 7.62mm ShKAS machine gun in wings
