Soviet Polikarpov I-153 fighter
Polikarpov I-153 fighter2:
Design
The Polikarpov I-153 was based on the I-15 series and designed by Nikolai Polikarpov.2
The I-153 was nicknamed the Chaika ("gull").2
Undercarriage
The undercarriage could use retractable wheels or skis.2
Engines
The early production models were powered by the M-25V but these were soon replaced in the production lines with the M-62.2
Prototype
The I-153 first flew in mid 1938.2
Production
Deliveries of the I-153 began May 1939.2 Production stopped in 1940.2
- Total: 3,4372
Variants
- I-153:
- I-153P: Had two 20 mm cannons.2
- I-153TGK: Pressurized cabin.2
- I-153V: Pressurized cabin.2
- I-153DM -or- I-153/DM-4: Had a ramjet and reached 274 mph / 440 kph in test flights in October 1940.1
Usage
China, Finland, and the Soviet Union used the I-153.2
Manchurian Border Clashes
The I-153s were used for the first time against the Japanese during the 1939 Nomonhan Incident along the Manchurian border.2
Russian Aces
Alexander Klubov and Grigory Rechkalov flew I-153s before switching to MiG-3s.1
Chinese Use
The Chinese received 93 I-153s in 1940 and these were used against the Japanese.2
Finland's Use
Finland was able to capture 11 of the I-153s and purchased 11 from I-153s that were captured by the Germans.2
| Polikarpov I-1531 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Fighter bomber2 |
| Crew | 12 |
| Engine (Type) | Shvetsov M-25V (Wright R-1820 Cyclone)2 |
| OR | Shvetsov M-62R |
| Cylinders | 25V: Radial 92 62R: Radial 92 |
| Cooling | |
| HP | 25V: 7752 62R: 1,0002 |
| Propeller blades | 22 |
| Fuel capacity | |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 32' 9.75"2 10 m2 |
| Length | 20' 3"2 6.17 m2 |
| Height | 9' 2.25"2 2.8 m2 |
| Wing area | |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 3,200 lb2 1,452 kg2 |
| Loaded | 4,652 lb2 2,110 kg2 |
| Performance | |
| Speed at sea level | 227 mph2 365 kph2 |
| Speed @ 15,090' / 4,600 m |
280 mph2 450 kph2 |
| Cruising speed | |
| Climb to 9,840' / 3,000 m |
3 minutes2 |
| Service ceiling | 35,105'2 10,700 m2 |
| Range | 292 miles2 470 km2 |
| Armament | |
| Nose | 4: 7.62 mm MG2 |
| OR | 4: 12.7 mm MG2 |
| Bombs | 441 lb2 200 kg2 |
| OR | |
| Rockets | 6: 82 mm2 6: RS-821 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
