Polikarpov I-16 (oz990)

 

Polikarpov I-16 (oz990) by Rockland F Russo, Michael J Heinrich - plan thumbnail

About this Plan

Polikarpov I-16. Scale rubber model Russian fighter.

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Polikarpov I-16 (oz990) by Rockland F Russo, Michael J Heinrich - model pic

Datafile:

ScaleType:
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    ScaleType: This (oz990) is a scale plan. Where possible we link scale plans to Wikipedia, using a text string called ScaleType.

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Polikarpov I-16 (oz990) by Rockland F Russo, Michael J Heinrich - pic 005.jpg
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User comments

The Polikarpov I-16 (oz990) is a Soviet single-engine single-seat fighter aircraft of revolutionary design; it was the world's first low-wing cantilever monoplane fighter with retractable landing gear to attain operational status and as such introduced a new vogue in fighter design. 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. The diminutive fighter, nicknamed "Ishak" or "Ishachok" ("donkey" or "burro") by Soviet pilots, figured prominently in the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, Winter War and the Spanish Civil War – where it was called the Rata ("rat") by the Nationalists or Mosca ("fly") by the Republicans.
Donkey, rat or fly, no matter what it was called, the I-16 constituted an advancement in fighter aircraft design for its time…and like so many designs of the mid-1930’s was found wanting at the outset of the Second World War. Nevertheless it held the line, sacrificing itself and its pilots until more advanced designs began to appear in 1942. The tiny I-16 and its courageous pilots were true heroes of the Soviet Union.
This particular plan appealed to me because of its use of a traditional box fuselage. A couple of interesting features: the entire engine cowling is of note for not possessing cowl flaps at the rear. Instead, the front was enclosed and possessed openings that could be closed to retain heat (indicative of Russian climatic conditions)! The aircraft was not equipped with wing flaps in the traditional sense, but instead was able to incorporate its ailerons as such during landings. The I-16 was a rugged aircraft and demanded the same of its operators. As compensation for its lack of comfort, it was easily maintained in the field and was fast and agile, not to be taken lightly by an opponent. To my eye, there’s a bit of the Golden Era racers in her design, a touch of the Gee Bee R-1. I think everyone needs to have an I-16. Thanks Steve and Mary for a great model plan.
Neal Green - 11/03/2021
Neal, you continue to astound with beautiful models and wonderfully informative posts.
Jan Novick - 11/03/2021
Thanks, Jan. I recall seeing an old Soviet propaganda film of an I-16 flying CAP (combat air patrol) over a train…the pilot was waggling his wings and waving to the cheering occupants of the train below. I wonder if anything like that really took place? No reason to doubt such occurrences. Here's a nice little documentary about the "little donkey" from YouTube.... Polikarpov I-16 The History - YouTube. I'm amused at the narrator's comment about the hand-cranked landing gear...which was also a later feature of the American Brewster Buffalo and Grumman Wildcat fighters. I-16 makes a great modeling subject.
Neal - 11/03/2021
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