The Polikarpov I-16 is a Soviet-made monoplane fighter aircraft that served for the Second Sino-Japanese war and opening stages of the Eastern Front.

Lore

As N. N. Polikarpov developed the longer Polikarpov I-15 biplane family, the VVS wanted a monoplane fighter using existing radial engines: the Tupolev I-14 and the Polikarpov I-16. The latter firm also developed the Hispano-Suiza powered I-17.

The I-16 was deemed nimble for the mid-1930s with its contemporaries and fell out of essence after being pitted with Bf 109 E-G types. Interestingly, it also made as a parasite fighter under the Zveno project.

The Type 5 was first used in the Second Sino-Japanese and the Khalkalin Gol theatres as a frontline fighter, with the common foe was the Navy A5M and the Army Ki-27.

Performance

In late 1930s standards, type 5 spec, lettered:
Speed: 459 km/h TAS at 3,000 metres C+
Range: B
Agility: A
Durability: ND
Firepower: C
Flight Handling: "decent but unstable when pitched hard" C+
Aerial Combat: B-