Polikarpov's Biplane Fighters - Red Star Vol. 6 [Paperback]

Yefim Gordon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 28, 2010

This book explores the development of Polikarpov's fighting biplanes from the 2I-N1 to his first aircraft to see production; to the I-3 and the I-5 created while the designer was in prison. This design paved the way for the I-15 which earned fame as the Chato during the Spanish Civil War and also saw action against the Japanese, and the I-15bis, which owed its existence mainly to Soviet Air Force's prejudice against gull wings; and the famous I-153 Chaika, a gull-wing biplane with retractable-landing gear. Experimental versions of this aircraft are also included. This title includes a detailed account of these aircraft's' combat roles and structural descriptions. The book also features details of the ill-starred I-190, which was to have superceded the Chaika, and of privately owned I-15bis and I-153s that have been restored to airworthy condition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Midland Publishing Ltd.; 1st edition (January 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857801415
• ISBN-13: 978-1857801415
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,974,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Russia With Hate: VVS Fighters!, July 30, 2008

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Polikarpov's Biplane Fighters - Red Star Vol. 6 (Paperback)

In 1939, over 90% of ALL Russian fighters in service were machines designed by Nikolay Polikarpov. 90%!! Apart from the I-16, all were biplane fighters, specifically, the I-5, I-15, I-15bis and I-153. Those last-named fighters are the subject of this excellent book by noted Russian aviation historian Yefim Gordon.

Though mention of Polikarpov biplanes brings up the image of stubby, rugged, maneuverable dogfighters powered by radial engines, Polikarpov's first fighter, the unsuccessful I-3, utilized an in-line engine. Switching to radial engines, the follow-up I-5 was a great success, eventually equipping 40% of the fighter force in 1933. The next model, the I-15, was a first-rate dogfighter but its production run was terminated prematurely by VVS brass who hated its gull-wing design. Its replacement - the I-15bis - went back to straight wings but was a disappointment. The I-153 returned to the gull-wing design but engine problems limited its usefulness. The final design - the I-190 - never got beyond the prototype stage.

Gordon and his co-author Keith Dexter do an excellent job summarizing the Polikarpov fighters, separate chapters being devoted to each design. After a short section summarizing initial development, Gordon and Dexter present a structural description of the aircraft followed by its operational history, special models produced and information on surviving examples or replicas.

POLIKARPOV'S BIPLANE FIGHTERS is a photographic treasure trove filled with hundreds of photos. The chapter on the I-15, for example, features 51 photos, many of which are new to this reviewer. Photo quality ranges from excellent to awful. The book also includes eight pages of front, upper and profile views of the basic and special one-off designs AND 15 pages of nicely done color profiles. Gordon and Dexter cram a lot of material in 127 pages; at $27.95, the book is a steal.

An excellent addition to Midland Publishing's 'Red Star' series, this book should appeal to anyone interested in Russian military aviation history. Recommended.