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Soviet Polikarpov I-15 fighter, "Chaika" (Seagull)¹

Polikarpov I-15 fighter:

Design

The I-15 was designed by Polikarpov.¹

Wings

The Polikarpov I-15 got its nickname, "Chaika" from the gull wings.¹ Some pilots disliked them as they didn't proved a very good view.¹

Fuselage

The I-15s fuselage was made from KhMA gas welded tubes with light alloy skin panels that could be removed.¹ Behind the windscreen the I-15 was covered in fabric.¹

Engine

Early models used the original American engines, but the rest were Soviet licensed built Wright Cyclone M-25.¹

Undercarriage

The legs slid up and down into the upper portion through an internal slot.¹

Prototype

Was first flown in 1933.¹

Production

The I-53 started production in 1934.¹

Variants

• I-15:
• I-15??: Had pressurized cockpit.¹ Only one built.¹

Usage

The I-15 could turn 360° in eight seconds.¹

Spanish Civil War

The I-15 was the principal Spanish Republican fighter.¹ 550 were supplied by the Soviets.¹

They were nicknamed "Chato" (flat nose) by the Spanish Nationalists.¹

Miguel Zamudio was a Spanish ace that flew the I-15.¹

Sino-Japanese War

The Chinese Nationalists used the I-15s against the Japanese.¹

Finland

Finland captured fourteen I-15s and replaced the MGs with Browning MGs.¹ They also installed German radios.¹

	Polikarpov I-151
Type	Fighter1 Ground attack1
Crew	11
Engine (Type)	Wright Cyclone F-3 piston1
Cylinders	Radial1
Cooling
HP	7081
Propeller blades	21
Fuel capacity
Dimensions
Span	32'1 9.75 m1
Length	20' 1"1 6.1 m1
Height	7' 2"1 2.19 m1
Wing area	253 ft2 1 23.55 m2 1
Weight
Empty	2,491 lb1 1,130 kg1
Loaded	3,064 lb1 1,390 kg1
Performance
Speed @ 9,840' / 3,000 m	228 mph1 367 kph1
Climb	2,953'/minute1 900 m/minute1
Cruising speed
Service ceiling	32,150'1 9,800 m1
Range	342 miles1 550 km1
Armament
Nose	4: 7.62 mm PV-1 MG1 3,000 rounds1
Under wings	4: 44 lb bombs1 4: 20 kg bombs1
OR	6: I-153 rockets1

Sources:

1. Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004

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