Polikarpov I-16

Nicknamed Ishak (Donkey) by Soviet Pilots, the Polikarpov I-16 had a top speed of 283 mph, which was up to 70 mph faster than other contemporary fighter designs of the era. The aircraft like its designer, however, endured mixed fortunes. Nikolai Polikarpov was assigned the task of creating a fighter design in the late 1920s, but was sentenced to death for ‘espionage’ when work did not advance quickly enough. While imprisoned, Polikarpov’s execution was instead commuted to forced labor, working to finish his fighter designs. 

It was during this period that Polikarpov created the I-15 and the I-16, both advanced aircraft in their own right, but it was the I-16 which truly captured Stalin’s attention. Excited about the aircraft’s capabilities, Stalin was eager to see them perform in combat. I-16s engaged the Japanese over China, the Finns over Karelia, and fought for Republican Spain against the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War. Although they did well in some circumstances, I-16s demonstrated significant inferiority against more modern designs such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109. This saw Polikarpov fall from favor once more. Although he escaped execution, his factory and Design Bureau were handed to another designer, Artem Mikoyen; Nikolai was away on an official trip outside the country. 

The Museum’s I-16 was produced at Gorky Aircraft Plant #21 in late 1939. It is believed to have flown with the Soviet Air Force’s 155th Fighter Squadron and crashed in Karelia some time in 1941/1942, where its remains lay until recovered for restoration a half century later in 1991.