Polikarpov's Biplane Fighters

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 The book also features details of the ill-starred I-190, which was to have superceded the Chaika, and of privately owned I-15bis and I-153s that have been restored to airworthy condition.