Polikarpov I-153

Polikarpov I-153
Country	Soviet Union
Role	Fighter
First flight	1937
Built	3400+

The Polikarpov I-153 Chaika (Russian Чайка, “Seagull”) was a late 1930s Soviet biplane fighter. Developed as an advanced version of the I-15 with a retractable undercarriage, the I-153 fought in the Soviet-Japanese combats in Mongolia and was one of the Soviets’ major fighter types in the early years of the Second World War. Three I-153s are still flying.

Source: Polikarpov I-153 on Wikipedia

Polikarpov I-153 Chaika Walk Around
Photographer	Robert N. Abbott Jr.
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	13

Polikarpov I-153 Chaika 01

Polikarpov I-153 Chaika 12

Polikarpov I-153 Chaika 02

Polikarpov I-153 Chaika 03

Polikarpov I-153 Chaika 04

Polikarpov I-153 Chaika 05

Polikarpov I-153 Chaika 06

Polikarpov I-153 Chaika 07

Polikarpov I-153 Chaika 08

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General Characteristics and Role

The Polikarpov I-153 Chaika (Russian for “Seagull”) was the final evolution in a line of highly maneuverable Soviet biplane fighters. It was developed in the late 1930s to combine the agility of its predecessor, the I-15, with increased speed and performance. Key features included a manually retractable landing gear to reduce drag, a gull-wing upper wing design (giving it the nickname Chaika), and improved armament. Although it was the fastest biplane ever to see operational service and performed well in early conflicts, it was rapidly made obsolete by the advent of faster monoplane fighters, such as those of the German Luftwaffe, by the time of the German invasion in 1941.

Property	Typical Value (I-153 M-62)
Role	Fighter / Ground Attack Biplane
National Origin	Soviet Union (USSR)
Manufacturer	Polikarpov Design Bureau
First Flight	August 1938
Production Total	3,437 aircraft built (1939–1941)
Crew	1 (Pilot)
Length	6.17 m (20 ft 3 in)
Wingspan	10.00 m (32 ft 10 in)
Empty Weight	1,452 kg (3,201 lb)
Loaded Weight	2,110 kg (4,652 lb)

Powerplant and Performance

Engine: One Shvetsov M-62 nine-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine.
Power Output: 746 kW (1,000 hp).
Maximum Speed (High Altitude): 444 km/h (276 mph) at 4,600 m (15,100 ft).
Maximum Speed (Sea Level): 366 km/h (227 mph).
Range: 470 km (290 mi) (internal fuel).
Service Ceiling: 10,700 m (35,100 ft).
Rate of Climb: 15 m/s (3,000 ft/min).
Key Feature: Retractable main undercarriage was manually operated by a hand crank in the cockpit.

Armament

Guns (Standard): 4 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns.
- Cadence: High rate of fire (1,800 rounds per minute per gun), providing a high density of fire.
- Location: Typically two synchronized guns in the fuselage and two in the lower wings.
Rockets: Provision for 8 x 82 mm RS-82 air-to-ground unguided rockets under the wings.
- Note: This was one of the first aircraft widely equipped with air-to-ground rockets.
Bombs: Up to 200 kg (441 lb) of bombs (e.g., four 50 kg or eight 25 kg bombs).
Variants: Later production runs included versions armed with 12.7 mm UBS machine guns or 20 mm ShVAK cannons (I-153P).