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The
prototype I-16 (the TsKB-12) first flew in 1933.
Production began in 1934 making it the world's first production
monoplane fighter with retractable landing gear-- 50 mph faster than
the latest US fighter in service, the Boeing P-26.
The I-16 fought in the
Spanish Civil War forcing the German's to commit the Messerschmitt
Bf-109 to the war. I-16s also flew in the Chinese air force against
the Japanese in the late 30's.
Early successes lead
the Red Air Force to believe that the I-16 could meet any threat. When
Germany invaded in 1941, over 88% of the Red Air Force inventory
consisted of I-16s.
The I-16 picked up the
nicknames Mosca (Fly) by Spanish Republican forces and Rata
(Rat) by Nationalist forces. It was best known as Ishak (Little
Donkey) in Russia.
Engine: one
1,000 hp (746 kW) Shvetsov M-62 radial |
