Chaos and Innovation: Russian Aircraft in the Civil War and Early Soviet Era The early Soviet era was defined by technical chaos and radical innovation. Starting in 1923 with the Polikarpov I-1, the USSR’s first indigenous monoplane fighter, Russia began moving away from surplus WWI designs like the R-1. By 1930, the rugged I-5 biplane reached top speeds of 173 mph, becoming the backbone of the Red Air Force. Despite using makeshift fuels like kerosene during the Civil War, these pioneers establ

5.9K views · 124 reactions | From Ashes to Air Power: The Birth of...

Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we’re visiting the world’s first low-wing monoplane fighter with retractable landing gear that entered operational service, the Polikarpov I-16. This Soviet aircraft was a revolutionary design that saw combat in the Spanish Civil War, in China, and WWII. To purchase the Coloring Book - WWII Planes, please visit https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/product/coloring-book-wwii-planes/?utm-source=facebook-warbird-wednesday | Palm Springs Air Museum

11K views · 1.1K reactions | Here's a video from my library... We're happy to say the Polikarpov I-16 Fighter has finally arrived at Fantasy of Flight. Watch here as the FoF crew accepts her into their care, and makes her comfortable in her new home. She'll be gently pampered as we work towards bringing her back to flying glory! Stay tuned. | Kermit Weeks | Facebook

Giant Polikarpov / Поликарпов I-16 Rata flown by Rolf Schönenberger at the Warbird Meeting Oberhausen 2016 FULL VIDEO >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFGIMEFlptM | RC Scale Airplanes