Polikarpov I-15

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I-15bis flying replica, Monino, 2004. Note the straight upper wing typical of the I-15bis.

The Polikarpov I-15 "Seagull" (Russian: ) was a Soviet fighter aircraft that first flew in October 1933 with V.P. Chkalov at the controls.

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 Tupolev. He grew concerned that the design would not mature, and orded up 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 became the famous I-15.

I-15, also known by its development name TsKB-3, a small biplane fighter with a gulled upper wing. It was a development of the I-5 fighter.

The I-15 was used in combat in the Spanish Civil War and proved to be one of the best fighter biplanes of its time.

It was equipped with one 700 PS (515 kW) M-25 engine. Total 674 were built.

Variants

• I-15bis (I-152) - Single-seat fighter biplane, armed with four 7.62-mm (0.30-inch)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) M-25V radial piston engine. It had a straight upper wing. 2,408 machines were built.
• I-15ter (I-153) - Similar to I-15 but with retractable landing gear. See Polikarpov I-153
• I-152TK - One aircraft fitted with two turbochargers.
• I-152GK - One aircraft fitted with a pressure cabin.
• TsKB-3bis - Prototype.
• TsKB-3ter - Prototype fitted with the more powerful M-25V radial piston engine.

Operators

• Soviet Union
• China
• Spain
• Finland

Specifications (I-15 M-22)

I-15. Note the "gull" upper wing typical of early aircraft.

References and notes