Polikarpov I-15 – the Soviet fighter

The I-15 was one of the best examples of fighter biplanes in world aviation production practice. It was designed in 1933 by Polikarpov KB. It was the result of a further development of the I-5 fighter, but it was more aerodynamically refined and had a much more powerful air-cooled M-25 engine (license-produced from the American Wright “Cyclone” F-3). A characteristic feature of this fighter became the upper wing with a dent in the middle - the so-called "seagull" type wing, which reduces aerodynamic resistance and greatly expands the pilot's field of vision forward and upwards. Flight tests began in December 1933, the fighter by all parameters far exceeded the I-5. In 1934 the I-15 began to be produced in series and was very popular among pilots for its high flight characteristics, maneuverability, and excellent take-off and landing characteristics. The I-15 became the first plane with which Soviet pilots fought against the Nazis in the autumn of 1938 in the Spanish skies. The I-15 easily defeated Franco's German Heinkel He-51A-1s and Italian FIAT CR.32s, but in these engagements it became clear, that the I-15's armament was too weak to deal serious damage to the Italian fighters. When the Bf-109s of the “Condor” Legion appeared in the Spanish skies, the I-15 had no chance of survival. These fighters were used in the war with Japan at Chalking Gol, where the Ki-10 biplanes could fight well, but when the Japanese introduced the Ki-27 "Nate" monoplanes into the battles, the "fifteenth" became a curl again.

A simple, well-designed and fairly well-detailed fighter model for modelers of all experience. Only advanced beginners and modelers with little experience are recommended to glue this model under the supervision of a more experienced modeler. The model depicts a Spanish Republican AF fighter.