Polikarpov I-15
Encyclopedia
The Polikarpov
I-15 was a Soviet biplane
fighter aircraft
of the 1930s. Nicknamed Chaika because of its gulled
upper wings, it was operated in large numbers by the Soviet Air Force, and together with the Polikarpov I-16
monoplane, was one of the standard fighters of the Spanish Republicans
during the Spanish Civil War
, where it was called Chato (snub-nose) in the Republican Air Force, or "Curtiss" (because its resemblance to Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk
) in the Nationalist Air Force.
. He grew concerned that the design would not mature, and ordered two backup biplane designs as the I-14A and B just to be safe. Polikarpov
had just been released from prison in August 1932, and was handed the I-14A project. When both the I-14 and I-14A were ordered into production, Polikarpov's design, a development of the I-5
fighter became the famous I-15.
The first flight was made in October 1933 with V.P. Chkalov
at the controls, powered by an imported Wright R-1820
Cyclone engine. The I-15, also known by its development name TsKB-3, was a small biplane fighter with a gulled upper wing. The single bay wings were of wooden construction, while the fuselage was of mixed steel and duralumin construction, with a fabric covered rear fuselage.
Production started in 1934, initially being powered by the M-22, a licensed built version of the Bristol Jupiter
radial engine
. While less powerful than the Cyclone, the M-22 powered aircraft were still superior to the I-5 which it replaced, demonstrating excellent manoeuvrability. Production switched to the 515 kW (700 hp
) M-25 engine (a license built Cyclone) in late 1936. A total of 671 I-15s were built, 284 in the Soviet Union and a further 287 under license by CASA
in Spain.
The gulled upper wing of the I-15 was unpopular with some pilots, as it was felt to restrict visibility, so Polikarpov's design bureau
produced a revised version, again powered by the M-25, with a longer span un-gulled upper wing. This version, the I-15bis, commenced production in 1937, a total of 2,408 I-15bis' being delivered by the time production finished in 1940.
(CAF) in its defensive war against Japan. More than 250 Soviet pilots volunteered to fly the 255 I-15s supplied to China in autumn 1937. By 1939, the total number of Polikarpov biplanes delivered to CAF reached 347 I-15/I-15bis. The I-15bis saw a great amount of action in Manchuria
and in the various border clashes between the Russians and the Japanese. In 1937, I-15s in the hands of the Chinese Nationalist Air Force fought against invading Japanese, where the tough biplane
began to meet its match in some of the newer, faster Japanese monoplanes.
In 1939 Polikarpov fighters were extensively used during the Battle of Khalkhin Gol
fought around the Khalkhin Gol River, in Soviet-Mongolian province of Doronod. This short war (11 May-15 September 1939) involved more than 600 planes. When hostilities commenced, the only I-15bis in the area, were 14 aircraft of 70th IAP. Their number increased in the following weeks: on 23 May, 35 I-15bis a from 22nd IAP arrived from the Trans-Baikal region. However the Polikarpov pilots had been hastily trained and they suffered heavy losses against the more experienced Japanese. During this conflict, Soviet Union and Japan lost more than 200 aircraft each.
and proved to be one of the best fighter biplanes of its time.
The first batch of 25 Polikarpovs arrived in Cartagena
, Spain, on 28 October 1936, with 15 pilots, led by future ace Pavel Rychagov. Few days later a further group of 10 pilots and 15 aircraft arrived in Bilbao
.
The Soviet pilots soon entered in action. They had their baptism of fire on 4 November. On that day, I-15s shot down two Junkers Ju 52
/3ms together with two CR.32s, over Madrid, and forced to crash-land a third Ju 52 and a Heinkel two seater. No losses were reported among the Soviet pilots. During the next two days, Chato pilots claimed 12 more victories, at the cost of two I-15s lost.
But on 16 November, while dogfighting with Fiat CR.32
s over Madrid, future ace Rychagov was shot down
and four days later the number of combat-ready Polikarpov in the central area had fallen to 15 aircraft:
seven had been lost in combat, two had force-landed and one was undergoing repair.
In December 1936 and January 1937 two more shipments of 30 Polikarpovs arrived in Spain, making it possible to form a complete combat unit of four I-15 squadrons. Until the spring of 1937, central Spain was the main war theatre of the I-15s. And in May 1937, another batch of 31 Polikarpov landed in Spain, taking the total number of I-15s delivered to Republicans to 116.
The exact number of I-15s lost during the Spanish War is difficult to determine as the Republicans destroyed a number of them while retreating and because there is little reliable data about the final stages of war. Chato losses were comparable to those of its principal rival, the Fiat CR.32
. By 1 January 1939, 197 Polikarpovs had been lost: 88 shot down by enemy aircraft and nine by anti-aircraft artillery, 27 destroyed on the ground and 67 written off in accidents.
TsKB-3bis
TsKB-3ter
I-15
I-15bis
I-152
I-152GK cabin) - One aircraft fitted with a pressure cabin.
I-152TK - One aircraft fitted with two turbochargers.
I-15ter (I-153)
UTI-1 - Factory built two seat trainer version, front cockpit moved forwards, dual controls fitted, 20 built in 1934 but not used by VVS
Nazi Germany
Mongolia
Spanish Republic
Polikarpov
Polikarpov Design Bureau was a Soviet OKB for aircraft, led by Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov. After his death on 30 July 1944 at the age of 52, his OKB was absorbed into Lavochkin, but with some of its engineers going to Mikoyan-Gurevich and its production facilities going to Sukhoi...
I-15 was a Soviet biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
fighter aircraft
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
of the 1930s. Nicknamed Chaika because of its gulled
Gull wing
The gull wing is an aircraft's wing configuration with a prominent bend in the wing somewhere along the span, generally near the wing root. Its name is derived from the seabirds which it resembles. It has been incorporated in aircraft for many reasons....
upper wings, it was operated in large numbers by the Soviet Air Force, and together with the Polikarpov I-16
Polikarpov I-16
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. The I-16 was introduced in the mid-1930s and formed the backbone of the Soviet Air Force at the beginning of World War II...
monoplane, was one of the standard fighters of the Spanish Republicans
Second Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was the government of Spain between April 14 1931, and its destruction by a military rebellion, led by General Francisco Franco....
during the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
, where it was called Chato (snub-nose) in the Republican Air Force, or "Curtiss" (because its resemblance to Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk
F9C Sparrowhawk
|-See also:-External links:...
) in the Nationalist Air Force.
Design and development
The design for the 14th fighter for the VVS, the I-14, started as an advanced (for the era) monoplane under the direction of Andrei TupolevAndrei Tupolev
Andrei Nikolayevich Tupolev was a pioneering Soviet aircraft designer.During his career, he designed and oversaw the design of more than 100 types of aircraft, some of which set 78 world records...
. He grew concerned that the design would not mature, and ordered two backup biplane designs as the I-14A and B just to be safe. Polikarpov
Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov
Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov was a Soviet aeronautical engineer and aircraft designer, known as "King of Fighters". He designed the I-15 series of fighters, and the I-16 Ishak "Little Donkey" fighter....
had just been released from prison in August 1932, and was handed the I-14A project. When both the I-14 and I-14A were ordered into production, Polikarpov's design, a development of the I-5
Polikarpov I-5
The Polikarpov I-5 was a single-seat biplane which became the primary Soviet fighter between its introduction in 1931 through 1936, after which it became the standard advanced trainer...
fighter became the famous I-15.
The first flight was made in October 1933 with V.P. Chkalov
Valery Chkalov
Valery Pavlovich Chkalov was a Russian aircraft test pilot and a Hero of the Soviet Union .-Early life:...
at the controls, powered by an imported Wright R-1820
Wright R-1820
|-See also:-References:* Bridgman, L, Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. Crescent. ISBN 0-517-67964-7* Eden, Paul & Soph Moeng, The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), 1152...
Cyclone engine. The I-15, also known by its development name TsKB-3, was a small biplane fighter with a gulled upper wing. The single bay wings were of wooden construction, while the fuselage was of mixed steel and duralumin construction, with a fabric covered rear fuselage.
Production started in 1934, initially being powered by the M-22, a licensed built version of the Bristol Jupiter
Bristol Jupiter
The Bristol Jupiter was a British nine-cylinder single-row piston radial engine built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company. Originally designed late in World War I and known as the Cosmos Jupiter, a lengthy series of upgrades and developments turned it into one of the finest engines of its era.The...
radial engine
Radial engine
The radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders point outward from a central crankshaft like the spokes on a wheel...
. While less powerful than the Cyclone, the M-22 powered aircraft were still superior to the I-5 which it replaced, demonstrating excellent manoeuvrability. Production switched to the 515 kW (700 hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
) M-25 engine (a license built Cyclone) in late 1936. A total of 671 I-15s were built, 284 in the Soviet Union and a further 287 under license by CASA
CASA
- Aviation :* Civil Aviation Safety Authority - Australian statutory authority responsible for the regulation of Civil Aviation* Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA- Spanish aircraft manufacturer, became EADS CASA in 1999...
in Spain.
The gulled upper wing of the I-15 was unpopular with some pilots, as it was felt to restrict visibility, so Polikarpov's design bureau
OKB
OKB is a transliteration of the Russian acronym for "Опытное конструкторское бюро" - Opytnoe Konstructorskoe Byuro, meaning Experimental Design Bureau...
produced a revised version, again powered by the M-25, with a longer span un-gulled upper wing. This version, the I-15bis, commenced production in 1937, a total of 2,408 I-15bis' being delivered by the time production finished in 1940.
China
In August 1937, the Chinese Kuomintang Government signed a non-aggression pact with the USSR. And, in autumn of the same year, the Soviet Union commenced to ship I-15s as a part of a programme of military aid to the Chinese Air ForceChinese Air Force
The phrase Chinese Air Force may refer to one of two modern bodies; a third historical unit can also be referred to as a part:*Republic of China Air Force: The air force of China from 1920 to 1949, operating from Taiwan only post-1949....
(CAF) in its defensive war against Japan. More than 250 Soviet pilots volunteered to fly the 255 I-15s supplied to China in autumn 1937. By 1939, the total number of Polikarpov biplanes delivered to CAF reached 347 I-15/I-15bis. The I-15bis saw a great amount of action in Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
and in the various border clashes between the Russians and the Japanese. In 1937, I-15s in the hands of the Chinese Nationalist Air Force fought against invading Japanese, where the tough biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
began to meet its match in some of the newer, faster Japanese monoplanes.
In 1939 Polikarpov fighters were extensively used during the Battle of Khalkhin Gol
Battle of Khalkhin Gol
The Battles of Khalkhyn Gol was the decisive engagement of the undeclared Soviet–Japanese Border Wars fought among the Soviet Union, Mongolia and the Empire of Japan in 1939. The conflict was named after the river Khalkhyn Gol, which passes through the battlefield...
fought around the Khalkhin Gol River, in Soviet-Mongolian province of Doronod. This short war (11 May-15 September 1939) involved more than 600 planes. When hostilities commenced, the only I-15bis in the area, were 14 aircraft of 70th IAP. Their number increased in the following weeks: on 23 May, 35 I-15bis a from 22nd IAP arrived from the Trans-Baikal region. However the Polikarpov pilots had been hastily trained and they suffered heavy losses against the more experienced Japanese. During this conflict, Soviet Union and Japan lost more than 200 aircraft each.
Spain
The I-15 was used in combat extensively by the Republicans in the Spanish Civil WarSpanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
and proved to be one of the best fighter biplanes of its time.
The first batch of 25 Polikarpovs arrived in Cartagena
Cartagena
-Colombia:*Cartagena, Colombia, a city in the Bolivar Region, the largest city bearing this name*Cartagena de Chairá, Colombia-Other:*Cartagena *Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety*FC Cartagena, a football club based in Cartagena, Spain-See also:...
, Spain, on 28 October 1936, with 15 pilots, led by future ace Pavel Rychagov. Few days later a further group of 10 pilots and 15 aircraft arrived in Bilbao
Bilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
.
The Soviet pilots soon entered in action. They had their baptism of fire on 4 November. On that day, I-15s shot down two Junkers Ju 52
Junkers Ju 52
The Junkers Ju 52 was a German transport aircraft manufactured from 1932 to 1945. It saw both civilian and military service during the 1930s and 1940s. In a civilian role, it flew with over 12 air carriers including Swissair and Deutsche Luft Hansa as an airliner and freight hauler...
/3ms together with two CR.32s, over Madrid, and forced to crash-land a third Ju 52 and a Heinkel two seater. No losses were reported among the Soviet pilots. During the next two days, Chato pilots claimed 12 more victories, at the cost of two I-15s lost.
But on 16 November, while dogfighting with Fiat CR.32
Fiat CR.32
The Fiat CR.32 was an Italian biplane fighter used in the Spanish Civil War and World War II. This nimble little Fiat was compact, robust and highly manoeuvrable and gave impressive displays all over Europe in the hands of the Pattuglie Acrobatiche. The CR.32 fought in North and East Africa, in...
s over Madrid, future ace Rychagov was shot down
and four days later the number of combat-ready Polikarpov in the central area had fallen to 15 aircraft:
seven had been lost in combat, two had force-landed and one was undergoing repair.
In December 1936 and January 1937 two more shipments of 30 Polikarpovs arrived in Spain, making it possible to form a complete combat unit of four I-15 squadrons. Until the spring of 1937, central Spain was the main war theatre of the I-15s. And in May 1937, another batch of 31 Polikarpov landed in Spain, taking the total number of I-15s delivered to Republicans to 116.
The exact number of I-15s lost during the Spanish War is difficult to determine as the Republicans destroyed a number of them while retreating and because there is little reliable data about the final stages of war. Chato losses were comparable to those of its principal rival, the Fiat CR.32
Fiat CR.32
The Fiat CR.32 was an Italian biplane fighter used in the Spanish Civil War and World War II. This nimble little Fiat was compact, robust and highly manoeuvrable and gave impressive displays all over Europe in the hands of the Pattuglie Acrobatiche. The CR.32 fought in North and East Africa, in...
. By 1 January 1939, 197 Polikarpovs had been lost: 88 shot down by enemy aircraft and nine by anti-aircraft artillery, 27 destroyed on the ground and 67 written off in accidents.
Great Patriotic War
More than 1,000 I-15bis fighters were still in Soviet use during the German invasion when the biplane was employed in the ground attack role. By late 1942, all I-15s and I-15bis' were relegated to second line duties.Variants
- Prototype.
TsKB-3ter
- Prototype fitted with the more powerful M-25V radial piston engine.
I-15
- First production series.
I-15bis
- Single-seat fighter biplane, armed with four 7.62 mm (0.30 in)PV-1 or ShKAS machine guns, plus up to 150 kg (330 lb) of bombs. The I-15bis was powered by the more powerful 570 kW (775 PS) Shvetsov M-25V radial piston engine. It had a straight upper wing. A total of 2,408 machines were built.
I-152
- Modernised version of I-15bis. One built in 1938. Series production was not undertaken, since it was decided to build I-153 instead.
I-152GK cabin) - One aircraft fitted with a pressure cabin.
I-152TK - One aircraft fitted with two turbochargers.
I-15ter (I-153)
Polikarpov I-153
The Russian Polikarpov I-153 Chaika was a late 1930s Soviet biplane fighter. Developed as an advanced version of the I-15 with a retractable undercarriage, the I-153 fought in the Soviet-Japanese combats in Mongolia and was one of the Soviet's major fighter types in the early years of the Second...
- Development of the I-15 with retractable landing gear, see Polikarpov I-153Polikarpov I-153The Russian Polikarpov I-153 Chaika was a late 1930s Soviet biplane fighter. Developed as an advanced version of the I-15 with a retractable undercarriage, the I-153 fought in the Soviet-Japanese combats in Mongolia and was one of the Soviet's major fighter types in the early years of the Second...
.
UTI-1 - Factory built two seat trainer version, front cockpit moved forwards, dual controls fitted, 20 built in 1934 but not used by VVS
Operators
- Chinese Nationalist Air Force
- Finnish Air ForceFinnish Air ForceThe Finnish Air Force is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. Its peacetime tasks are airspace surveillance, identification flights, and production of readiness formations for wartime conditions...
(captured)
Nazi Germany
- LuftwaffeLuftwaffeLuftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
(captured)
Mongolia
- Mongolian People's Army Air ForceMongolian People's ArmyThe Mongolian People's Army or Mongolian People's Revolutionary Army was established on 18 March 1921 as a secondary army under Soviet Red Army command during the 1920s and during World War II.-Creation of the army:One of the first actions of the new Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party...
- received more than 40 aircraft in July 1939
- Soviet Air ForceSoviet Air ForceThe Soviet Air Force, officially known in Russian as Военно-воздушные силы or Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily and often abbreviated VVS was the official designation of one of the air forces of the Soviet Union. The other was the Soviet Air Defence Forces...
Spanish RepublicSecond Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was the government of Spain between April 14 1931, and its destruction by a military rebellion, led by General Francisco Franco....
- Spanish Republican Air ForceSpanish Republican Air ForceThe Spanish Republican Air Force, , was the air arm of the Second Spanish Republic, the legally established government of Spain between 1931 and 1939...
Specifications (I-15 M-22)
See also
External links
- http://www.aviation.ru/Po/#15
- http://www.wio.ru/tacftr/polikarp.htm