Polikarpov I-16 "Ishak" | The Revolutionary Russian Fighter [Aircraft Overview #12]

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  • Опубліковано 10 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 820

  • @A3ATOT
    @A3ATOT 3 роки тому +468

    My grandfather was flying I16 in the beginning of war, then became a commander of a ТB-3. He did survive the war and always given high praise to the donkey. Though he envied to pilots of some rare Mig-3 modification he said was the best fighter of all the war.

    • @Bialy_1
      @Bialy_1 3 роки тому +50

      "the beginning of war" When Soviets and Germans was fighting hand by hand to start the WW2 or are you talking about the time when the friendship ended and your brothers in arms backstabed you when you finished accumulating forces at the border to backstab them?
      Soviets got so big numerical advantage at the beggining of the Operation Barbarossa but thx to the fact that some of the airfields were so blatantly build for the purpose of Soviet invasion that some of them were as close to the border as 800m... perfect position when you are invading but the worst posible if you trying to deffend the country.
      Generaly opinions of soviet soldiers that survived are so out of touch with reality, i remember interview where vet is talking that they did not invade Poland just after he is talking about German-Soviet parade in Brześć(Brest-Litovsk) that you can find even filmed by Gemans on youtube and just by coincidence was in the middle of Second Polish Republic. I can also imagine that you could only have a good opinions about I-16 or you would end up in the gulag as there was this popular joke in USSR sbout how many years in gulag you are getting for nothing(and bad opinion about Soviet fighter is allready something...).

    • @blkmgk16
      @blkmgk16 3 роки тому +269

      @@Bialy_1 take your meds

    • @theart8039
      @theart8039 3 роки тому +8

      Its an awsome looking plane

    • @EneTheGene
      @EneTheGene 3 роки тому +121

      @@Bialy_1 Haha let's get you back to bed.

    • @FacelessMan777
      @FacelessMan777 3 роки тому +3

      @@blkmgk16 You don't know dick about the true history of WWII or you can't handle the truth! Prior to Barbarossa, there was message after message from Churchill and Roosevelt to Stalin, damn near demanding that Russia enter the war against Germany and promising Beans, Bullets and Bandages and the spoils of a victory over Germany.
      You see, the victor writes history and only a devoted seeker of the truth can sort through the bullshit and find the ice cream(truth).

  • @louisavondart9178
    @louisavondart9178 3 роки тому +198

    Play IL2 Sturmovik as a German and you will have the delight of these planes flying rings around your BF109. Get into a turning fight and you WILL lose !

    • @RexsHangar
      @RexsHangar  3 роки тому +54

      With 1.5k hours in IL-2, I agree! ;)

    • @LongTran-em6hc
      @LongTran-em6hc 3 роки тому +8

      Hello fellow IL-2 flyer!
      I have been playing IL-2 since 2005, up until now.
      And thank SAS1946 for keeping the old game alive!

    • @paulrward
      @paulrward 3 роки тому +7

      The trouble is, in IL2 Sturmovik, the I-16 is shown as having landing flaps. NO
      PRODUCTION I-16 EVER HAD LANDING FLAPS. EVER !!

    • @Espanyol_Espaghetti
      @Espanyol_Espaghetti Рік тому

      True

    • @aircraft_geek_603
      @aircraft_geek_603 Рік тому +2

      IL2 is not a good plane 😐

  • @revvingnoodle7192
    @revvingnoodle7192 3 роки тому +665

    I found this channel by accident and this guy is like the Drachinifel of planes, keep up bud,

    • @Whitpusmc
      @Whitpusmc 3 роки тому +30

      An apt comparison, well said.

    • @BaldwinVonDresden
      @BaldwinVonDresden 3 роки тому +36

      Agreed. We shall watch his career with great interest.

    • @MrNicoJac
      @MrNicoJac 3 роки тому +6

      That comment made me subscribe!
      (2nd video I watched, note to self: 11k)

    • @brucebaxter6923
      @brucebaxter6923 3 роки тому +33

      Do we all know drachinifel?

    • @MrNicoJac
      @MrNicoJac 3 роки тому +14

      @@brucebaxter6923
      All 6 of us?
      Yeah, probably 👍🏼

  • @deltavee2
    @deltavee2 3 роки тому +33

    Rex reminds me strongly of Drachinifel in research, concise speech and verbal pacing and pattern.
    This is a good thing. Drach is held in very high esteem indeed.
    More please, Rex!

  • @hungryhedgehog4201
    @hungryhedgehog4201 3 роки тому +571

    One I 16 pliot learned about the germans being very "kill horny" to put it mildly, constantly trying to oneup eachother and even fitting cameras to their planes to prove their killcounts. This lead to them often going after planes that seemed damaged or already going down (similar to players in a videogame) than formations cause a kill is a kill on the camera.
    So the guy would purposefully fly the plane at a lower speed and jiggle it around giving the enemy the idea that it was damaged, when the enemy tried to engage, they would suddently drop their act, evade and drag them infront of other planes or outmaneuver them at low altitude.

    • @Questionablethingy
      @Questionablethingy 2 роки тому +27

      basicly the art of backfiring other

    • @FusionAero
      @FusionAero 2 роки тому +41

      From Master and Commander to classic the Star Trek "The more helpless he thinks we are...." "The closer...." he"...... "Is going" ....."To get!"
      Always a ballsy bet on kill lust over patience and training, those who won that bet lived to tell the tale, but could add a survivorship bias to the odds of such tactics working out as planned.

    • @cosmosyn2514
      @cosmosyn2514 2 роки тому +77

      Further evidence the Germans were true gamers.

    • @tomitiustritus6672
      @tomitiustritus6672 2 роки тому +10

      There's several birds that do that when a cat, for example, get close to their nest. Some even go so far and actually drag one wing behind them while walking away from you on the ground to pretend being hurt. Waiting for the last moment when the cat attacks to just take off and repeat the game. I saw a pair of blackbirds completely distract and divert a cat away from their clutch like that. They just continued to play easy prey until they had the cat 100 m away and around the street corner.

    • @drumminggoose444
      @drumminggoose444 2 роки тому +8

      that’s actually quite genius, bet the Germans learned pretty quick to be careful with damaged planes

  • @dennismason3740
    @dennismason3740 3 роки тому +26

    Knife fight in a phone booth - Imma use that. Great video about the mysterious cigar-stubb of an airplane. Thank you.

    • @Bialy_1
      @Bialy_1 3 роки тому

      "Knife fight in a phone booth"
      Coalition forces can win the battle of Baghdad, but grisly images of death and destruction could cost them the war for Arab hearts and minds.
      By Eric Boehlert
      Published March 29, 2003 1:28AM (EST)

  • @damekkoDASHkun
    @damekkoDASHkun 3 роки тому +216

    It was called "Ishak" not because of it's stubby appearance, but because I-16 in Russian "И-Шестнадцать" sounds kinda similar, something like "Yi-Shestnadtsats". Also, in Russian some bad words are ended on "-ak", so it give this unofficial name some rude connotation. In official propaganda this plane was called "Yastrebok" (Ястребок), it is word play, as this word is shortened form of "Yastreb" ("Ястреб", hawk) and also sounds similar to "Istrebitel" ("Истребитель", fighter aircraft).

    • @zoranocokoljic8927
      @zoranocokoljic8927 3 роки тому +15

      "Yastrebok" sinply means little/young hawk. There is no word play. just similary sounding words. Also, I see no rudeness in the word Ishak, apart those that are traditionaly ascribed to a donkey.

    • @maximbravo6835
      @maximbravo6835 3 роки тому +47

      @@zoranocokoljic8927 “Ishak” is totally a rude word in Russian if addressed to a person. However, many a time have I met references to this plane as “Ishachok” which sounds endearing and not offensive at all, something along the lines of “cute lil’ donkey”.

    • @damekkoDASHkun
      @damekkoDASHkun 3 роки тому +15

      @@zoranocokoljic8927 C'mon, maybe, as a native russian speaker, i know better either there is a word play or not? ;) About "Ishak" and "Ishachok" @Maxim Bravo already said enough. Pretty good illustration if love/hate relationships of russian pilots with this plane

    • @zoranocokoljic8927
      @zoranocokoljic8927 3 роки тому +4

      @@damekkoDASHkun Повторю свое мнение что тут нет игры слов, а только созвучые слов "Ястреб" и "Истреб/итель". Ястребы же не получили свое название потому что истребляют.

    • @damekkoDASHkun
      @damekkoDASHkun 3 роки тому +13

      @@zoranocokoljic8927 А созвучие - это не игра слов? Вы про понятие каламбур слышали? Но вообще мы тут бессмысленный спор ведём, если честно. Что меня изначально задело в видео, так это то, что англоязычные авторы совершенно не выкупают почему И-16 называли "ишаком" и начинают придумывать какой-то совершенно оторванный от реальности обоснуй. Я это уже не первый раз встречаю.

  • @robertguttman1487
    @robertguttman1487 3 роки тому +506

    The presenter mentions many problems with the I-16, such as the poor quality of the canopy glazing, difficulty raising and lowering the landing gear and problems with machine guns jamming. It should be noted that, while Polikarpov designed the aircraft, he had little or nothing to do with the manufacturing of it. In the Soviet system, design teams created the deigns of aircraft such as the I-16. However, once the aircraft was accepted for production, the government would assign it to a factory for mass production. From that point onward, the designers had little or nothing to do with the process. For example, it is known that Polikarpov desired the acquisition of foreign aircraft engines for his fighters, from makers such as Pratt & Whitney and BMW, because he did not have much faith in the availability of high-powered Soviet-built aircraft engines. Polikarpov has likewise been criticized for keeping the I-16 in production too long after it was obsolete. However, again, Polikarpov had nothing to do with that. In fact Polikarpov was busy developing newer and better fighters which were not, for a variety of reasons, adopted for production.

    • @dallesamllhals9161
      @dallesamllhals9161 2 роки тому +9

      Any folks(Friends) in Siberia 2022?

    • @allandavis8201
      @allandavis8201 2 роки тому +27

      I think 💭 that you are 100% correct, the compartmentalised system of Russian design, manufacturing and proving of new aircraft, in fact anything new, had a huge impact on their advancement in the increasingly competitive, fast paced and lucrative aviation industry, just imagine where aviation, in fact all the science’s, would be if Russian/Soviet leadership had not been so paranoid and insecure about allowing people like Polikarpov to oversee a design from inception to completion, I personally think that the world would have been far more advanced than it is, whether that would have been good or bad we will never know. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇦

    • @billy4072
      @billy4072 2 роки тому +1

      🤔 précis reqd 👍

    • @michaelvolovik4516
      @michaelvolovik4516 2 роки тому +10

      Не мог он быть таким дураком, чтобы желать для своего истребителя моторов от BMW пусть на тот момент (не на долго) и более эффективных. Врёшь ты всё, Буча.

    • @DOBRII_BE4ER.
      @DOBRII_BE4ER. 2 роки тому +1

      Ага..конструктор боевого самолёта ,хотел установить мотор , производства,своего потенциального противника..
      Ты идиот?
      Это первое.
      Второе..
      Конструктора контролировали и курировали всю цепочку пооизводства и в любой момент, могли вносить изменения...
      Из тебя историк ,как из говна пуля..😆😃😆

  • @tramlink8544
    @tramlink8544 Рік тому +17

    i was fortunate enough back in 2006 to go to Wanaka Airshow in New Zealand where they had 3 I-16s and 4 I-153s, they did a ''scramble'' type takeoff using the concrete and adjacent grass strip on display. probably one of the last times one could witness 2 flights worth of Polikarpovs taking of together before they eventually got sold to different parts around the world. theres videos of the takeoff on youtube

  • @Hcb37
    @Hcb37 2 роки тому +39

    Nice work Rex. The operational histories of I-16 over Spain, China, Finland, and Soviet Union could each have their own video. The modern I-16 restorations would also make for a interesting story that hopefully someone will tell. Given their mixed construction, I’m very curious how much of the original aircraft made it into the current flying I-16s.

  • @dourmoose
    @dourmoose 3 роки тому +23

    Love this funky little plane.

  • @michaelcorboy8703
    @michaelcorboy8703 3 роки тому +32

    Really well done. Excellent graphics and photos, and high quality narration (a British accent does wonders lol). The first video from this channel I watched was on the Vought Vindicator dive bomber (it showed up in my suggestions after watching one of Montemayor's videos on the Coral Sea). I almost didn't watch it because you never know what you're going to get with a random algorithm suggestion, but I'm glad I did.
    They have an airworthy I-16 Type 24 at the Flying Heritage museum in Everett WA where I live (Seattle area) but I haven't seen it fly yet. Fun Fact: This I-16 was shot down during the war and later discovered in 1991 in Eastern Europe. It was restored at the same factory where it was originally built in 1940, in some cases by the same workers themselves who had worked on the I-16 production line in the 40's as children.

  • @jlsperling1
    @jlsperling1 3 роки тому +38

    Don't forget the SBP dive bomber version that served as the offensive half of the Sveno-SBP strategic weapon system:
    In 1938, Vakhmistrov devised the Zveno-SPB (SPB: Sostavnoi Pikiruyuschiy Bombardirovschik, Combined Dive Bomber) which consisted of a Tupolev TB-3-4AM-34FRN mother ship and two Polikarpov I-16 Type 5 fighters. Each of the fighters was armed with a pair of 250 kg (550 lb.) FAB-250 high-explosive bombs. Although an I-16 Type 5 could get airborne on its own with no more than 100 kg (220 lb.) of bombs, once hoisted in the air by the TB-3 it could reach 410 km/h (220 knots, 255 mph) at 2,500 m (8,200 ft.), had a service ceiling of 6,800 m (22,310 ft.), and could dive at up to 650 km/h (350 knots, 405 mph) while carrying 2x 250 kg bombs. Once the bombs were dropped, the SPB-launched I-16s performed like conventional Type 5s. The three-aircraft Zveno-SPB had a total takeoff weight of 22,000 kg (48,500 lb.), a top speed of 268 km/h (145 knots, 165 mph), and a range of 2,500 km (1,350 NM, 1,550 mi). The use of a mother ship increased the range of the I-16s by 80%.
    The SPB first flew in July 1937, with TB-3 piloted by Stefanovskiy, and I-16s piloted by Nikolayev and Taborovskiy. Following the successful test program in 1938, Zveno-SPB was accepted into service. By 1 February 1940, Soviet Air Force was supposed to receive 20 TB-3s and 40 I-16s, ith the same number going to the Soviet Navy. Vakhmistrov was also asked to investigate the possibility of using Tupolev TB-7, Tupolev MTB-2, and GST (PBY Catalina) as the mother ships, as well as arming I-16s with 500 kg (1100 lb.) bombs. By 1939, the government support for the project had waned, the Navy canceled all of its orders, and the Air Force reduced the number of fighters from 40 to 12. However, Soviet military observers noted the success of the Luftwaffe Junkers Ju 87 dive bombers in the opening stages of World War II. As the Soviet Union had no
    dive bombers, it was decided to resume low-scale work on the Zveno-SPB. Testing of the first production Zveno began in June 1940. It differed from the prototype in using the much more powerful I-16 Type 24 fighters.
    A total of six mother ship-fighter combinations (six TB-3s and twelve modified I-16 Type 24s) were completed. All were attached to the 2nd Special Squadron of the 32nd IAP (Fighter Regiment) of the 62nd Aviation Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet Air Force stationed in Eupatoria. Mirroring the nickname of the Zveno experiments, the squadron was dubbed Shubikov's Circus (Цирк Шубикова) after its commander Arseniy
    Shubikov.
    I write for the Admiralty Trilogy game system, and I did this research for a Sveno-SBP scenario attacking the Romanian oil transport system (the King Carol I Bridge over the Danube River).

  • @Vlad-1986
    @Vlad-1986 2 роки тому +5

    Hey, good job with the video! As you can guess by my nickname and profile picture, I have a bit of a very sweet spot for this plane, so glad to learn a bit more about it. I believe that my grandfather's brother flew in one of those furing the Spanish civil war, but I can't corroborate it.
    A small trivia fact about why it was called a "fly" by Spanish pilots:
    The planes came dissasembled in boxes as to assemble those in Spain. The boxes had "Moscow" ("Moskva") printed on them (I imaigne in the case we needed to fill a return). Now, the Spanish word for fly is "mosca", which is very similar, so pilots got to nickname it that way, for fun or because they though it was the model name. I guess it also made sense as they where quite meneuvrable too, as flies are.

  • @danijuggernaut
    @danijuggernaut 3 роки тому +56

    The Polikarpov was in service in the spanish civil war. The engine durability was disasterous, only 100 flight hours and the engine was burned out. They were optimized in Terrassa (Catalonia-Spain) and equiped with an oil cooler gaining a total of 200 flight hours. No dought that the planes manouverability was excellent.

    • @tucoramirez4558
      @tucoramirez4558 2 роки тому +5

      "only 100 flight hours and the engine was burned out." Sounds perfectly sufficient for the time and what limited flight time would be needed in this war.

    • @danijuggernaut
      @danijuggernaut 2 роки тому +6

      @@tucoramirez4558 We know wars are expensive, but spend money for crap is unecessary and a ruin.

    • @tucoramirez4558
      @tucoramirez4558 2 роки тому +4

      @@danijuggernaut Actually in wars every piece of equipment has an optimal cost-for-performance ratio. Sadly those who view everything in absolute terms and compare apples and oranges don't understand this. Is the F35-Lightning II crap? Considering its whopping cost and running compared to whatever small advantage it has over cheaper designs it's truly crap.
      And on the other side of the spectrum there are the cheap workhorses. Some arguably bad. Others quite good for the money invested.

    • @danijuggernaut
      @danijuggernaut 2 роки тому

      @@tucoramirez4558 Bla, bla, bla, read the history of the Spanish Civil War.

    • @ivanmonahhov2314
      @ivanmonahhov2314 2 роки тому +4

      Spitfire woud burnout the engine in 15 minutes on WEP

  • @bridgecross
    @bridgecross Рік тому +6

    This aircraft is definitely in my list of 40 favorite WWII fighters.

  • @HeadPack
    @HeadPack 3 роки тому +50

    Well done. My grandpa had told me about these. In the Wehrmacht, they were called "Rata" (rat). He said that the pilots occasionally threw hand grenades from the open cockpit.

    • @drumminggoose444
      @drumminggoose444 2 роки тому +8

      I’m sure that would be a concerning event

    • @gibusspy5544
      @gibusspy5544 2 роки тому +9

      Improvised airstrike

    • @alfredfabulous3640
      @alfredfabulous3640 Рік тому +1

      And many were used - as they hardly were able to match the then contemporary fighters of the Luftwaffe - as ramming fighters against german bombers.

  • @General_Rubenski
    @General_Rubenski 3 роки тому +47

    Always one of my all time favorite early war fighter planes. Was also one of the first scale model that I made with accurate detail and weathering so it stands out among the rest for me.

  • @pauldehart744
    @pauldehart744 2 роки тому +11

    I've always liked the I-16, she has nice lines. I would love to have one to fly, as well as the P-26. Since I wouldn't have to use them in combat, they would be fun to fly. I a chance to have a close use look at the I-16 that the Commemorative Air Force in Midland, TX. It has since been sold and move to Florida with Weeks.

  • @garycook2355
    @garycook2355 3 роки тому +29

    Thanks for the well done and informative video. I especially appreciated the correct and vintage photos. I am really tired of articles that use footage that just shows a generic aircraft of the era that doesn't even represent what is being discussed. I have subscribed and I am looking forward to more of your excellent content.

    • @deltavee2
      @deltavee2 3 роки тому

      Agreed. That's exactly what got him my subscription about 30 seconds ago.

    • @theinspector1023
      @theinspector1023 3 роки тому

      Hear hear!

    • @wintersbattleofbands1144
      @wintersbattleofbands1144 2 роки тому +2

      Yeah, better a still than footage of the wrong aircraft. Dark Skies, anyone? If the guy on that channel always sounds like that, and I had to be around him constantly, I'd brain him.

  • @maxchan4654
    @maxchan4654 2 роки тому +9

    The amount of times one of these has run circles around my plane in Warthunder is beyond count

  • @garethjones9371
    @garethjones9371 3 роки тому +11

    Very interesting video(s) and good informative narration. To my mind the I-16 bears a passing resemblance to the Gee Bee Racers of the 1930's. Great stuff.

    • @brittsmith8260
      @brittsmith8260 2 роки тому +1

      You're right.

    • @DuneRunnerEnterprises
      @DuneRunnerEnterprises 2 роки тому +1

      Would be interesting to see,IF "the Racers" somehow was there to inspire I-16,or the other way around...

  • @paulaharrisbaca4851
    @paulaharrisbaca4851 2 роки тому +1

    I love when someone tells me about something I have never heard of . Kudos

  • @pal6636
    @pal6636 Рік тому +3

    Awesome vid. 👍. Very well researched, appreciate learning of new details. Always thought this plane looked like it was inspired by a can of pineapple juice :).

  • @SeraphoftheRoundTable
    @SeraphoftheRoundTable 11 місяців тому +2

    It was a good, innovative little fighter for it's time and despite it eventually being obsolete, it still did what it was asked and did it well. Can't ask for much more than that.

  • @ravenouself4181
    @ravenouself4181 2 роки тому +13

    Interesting information: While on the main front, the I-16 and it's relatives were outclassed by German aircraft, in the Caucasus they held up extremely whel due to their high maneuverability.

  • @fractalign
    @fractalign 3 роки тому +37

    It was truly a splendid looking fighter.

    • @osvaldoromeros.7115
      @osvaldoromeros.7115 3 роки тому +4

      Uhm no it wasnt

    • @NoahSpurrier
      @NoahSpurrier 3 роки тому +12

      @@osvaldoromeros.7115 I’m guessing you’re not a fan of the Gee Bee.

    • @ericbouchard7547
      @ericbouchard7547 3 роки тому

      My main man Bob Hall

    • @bingobongo1615
      @bingobongo1615 2 роки тому

      Yeah but I wouldn’t want to fight a ME109 in this flying coffin…

    • @lapantony
      @lapantony 2 роки тому +3

      @@bingobongo1615 Depends on the model of the Bf-109 really. Later models of I-16 would completely dunk on Bf-109 up until version E came along

  • @warhawk4494
    @warhawk4494 3 роки тому +23

    Id love to see the I-16 in modern Russian Air force camo. That plane would look good ins the blue and white and yellow brown and white camo

  • @jimyoung7090
    @jimyoung7090 Рік тому +1

    "A knife fight in a phone both"? A graphic description that caused me to take a large bite out of my seat cushion without getting out of the chair. Jim Y

  • @michaelrussell5346
    @michaelrussell5346 Рік тому +3

    Was fortunate enough to witness demo flights of both biplane and monoplane versions while in New Zealand in 2008. The aircraft reminded me of a flying cigar butt. The engine revs did not appear to be over 2000 revs and certainly didn’t appear to belong to the performance of the aircraft as it flashed past at low altitude and impressive speed with an engine sound being a deep languid chortle.
    Cheers from Downunder👍

  • @TheButlerNZ
    @TheButlerNZ 3 роки тому +2

    A good family friend (Brian Parker)'s son (Greg?) worked on several of these here in New Zealand. I got to see them fly in Warbirds over Wanaka.

  • @1joshjosh1
    @1joshjosh1 2 роки тому +2

    How did I miss this one?
    Doesn't matter I'm watching it now!!
    👍

  • @giovannimorrisone483
    @giovannimorrisone483 2 роки тому

    Thanks Rex. Very informative. I've always enjoyed your commentary; well-researched facts interspersed with sardonic wit. Good stuff!

  • @martinevans9757
    @martinevans9757 2 роки тому +1

    As Kalani said, you do seem the Drachinifel of aviation. :) Thank you for these excellent summaries of different types!

  • @paulrward
    @paulrward 3 роки тому +35

    OK, here are just SOME of the errors you made in your video:
    1:11 The Polikarpov I- 5 DID NOT lead to the I-15 - they were totally
    different designs.
    2:38 The first nickname for the I-16 was NOT Ishak, it was Yastrebok
    - or Little Eagle
    3:24 The Canopy was NOT glass, it was made from Perspex - similar
    to Plexiglass.
    3:44 Pilots in the USSR did NOT replace their canopies - they simply
    left them open in flight.
    3:56 The Ailerons on the I-16 did NOT function as flaps, they did NOT
    droop 15 degrees, they were NOT ' flaperons '. NO PRODUCTION I-16
    EVER HAD FLAPS ! You can watch videos here on UA-cam of I-16s,
    they do NOT have flaps.
    4:25 It wasn't ' Approval ' of the Wright Cyclone, it was production
    delays in getting the M-25 into service. As a result, in early 1936, the
    Soviets purchased 500 Wright Cyclones from Curtis Wright.
    5:18 For I-16 Spin Recovery, the Power was cut to idle, the stick
    centered and pushed forward, and opposite rudder applied until the
    spin stopped. I got that from a pilot who flew one in Spain.
    5:43 The Wright Cyclone did NOT have Vibration problems. That
    was the early M-25s as they wore out.
    5:54 To free the jammed landing gear, you cut the two cables that
    operated it using the bolt cutter that was in the seat pan of your I-16,
    under your parachute. Same pilot source.
    6:21 There were NO complaints about the Cyclones used on
    Polikarpovs. The first 90 I-16s ( Type 5s) and the first 120 I-15s in
    Spain all used Wright Cyclones, manufactured in Paterson, New Jersey.
    7:07 The I-16 Type 6 was NOT lighter than the Type 5 - it was heavier
    due to the extra gunand ammunition, added pilot armor, and the heavier
    Shvetsov M25 A engine.
    7:40 The ShKas was NOT fired with cables. It was cocked using
    compressed air and solenoids, and fired electrically. This was why it was
    not initially fitted to the I-16 in the fuselage - the Wright Cyclones and
    Bristol Jupiters used mechanical synchronizing gear.
    8:34 The I-16 Type 6 DID NOT have the third gun mounted under
    the fuselage - it was mounted inside the lower front fuslage, in a similar
    manner to the guns on the I-15s.
    8:35 The I-16 Type 10 did NOT have two guns mounted in each wing.
    They had two guns in the upper front cowling, and ONE gun in each wing.
    8:47 The I-16 Type 6 was the first type to have the fixed, one piece
    windscreen. It was the same windscreen as on the Type 10, but the
    Type 6s still had the older telescopic sight instead of the PV-1 Reflector
    sight used on the Type 10.
    9:08 The first Messerschmidt Bf 109 Bs arrived in Spain in early
    1937. The I-16 Type 10s arrived in the middle of 1938, by which time
    there were numerous 109 Cs' and D's flying with the Condor Legion.
    9:36 The I-16 Type 5s were NOT re-armed in Soviet Service - by
    1941, they were either in training squadrons or second line squadrons -
    that is why there are so many photos of fields covered with disabled and
    abandoned Type 5s at the start of Barbarossa.
    9:59 The Soviets defeated the Japanese in the Khalkin Gol /Nomonhan -
    The I-16 was faster than the Ki27's and the A5M's, and even the I-153s
    were better fighters than Japanese fighters, when flown by competent
    Russian pilots.
    12:15 The I-16 was NOT more fire-prone than the Japanese fighters -
    and, once a fighter has been lit on fire, it will burn all the way to the ground.
    This myth of fires going out on burning aircraft is a Wart Thunder fantasy.
    You really need to do more, better research, with more and better sources.
    Paul R. Ward

    • @RexsHangar
      @RexsHangar  3 роки тому +14

      Can you recommend a better source? Genuinely curious and happy to correct errors in the future with a new upload.

    • @paulrward
      @paulrward 3 роки тому +9

      @@RexsHangar I am going to send you a message on your E mail that
      is listed here on UA-cam - We can take this offline

    • @paulrward
      @paulrward 3 роки тому +1

      @@RexsHangar I am having trouble e mailing you. Do you have a solution ?
      Your e mail here on UA-cam is not working.

    • @RexsHangar
      @RexsHangar  3 роки тому +8

      @@paulrward it should work fine as others have emailed me already. If you are attaching a large file or something that may be causing an issue

    • @MrNicoJac
      @MrNicoJac 3 роки тому +10

      @@paulrward
      As much as I appreciate all the time stamps you put into your comment so diligently, I'd love to know your sources for this (apart from that one pilot you spoke with).
      Right now, I can't tell if you're making all of this up, or whether you should start your own aviation UA-cam channel! ;)

  • @geofflewis8599
    @geofflewis8599 2 роки тому +3

    Four of these were built from scratch in Russia on behalf of the Alpine Fighter Collection which is based at Wanaka in New Zealand. They all flew together at the year 2000 show. These can be seen flying at Wanaka on You tube.

  • @JK-rv9tp
    @JK-rv9tp 3 роки тому +5

    Nice job! Subscribed! One thing for sure, if you had to choose between speed and maneuverability, it's speed hands down. The faster guy can choose when to fight, and therefore is usually the hunter. The slower guy can't choose when to fight and is usually the hunted, unless the faster guy was foolish.

    • @scriptsmith4081
      @scriptsmith4081 2 роки тому +1

      I can certainly understand turning a GB Racer into a fighter plane, as Polikarpov seemed to have in mind, but leaving the cockpit open really seems to be defeating the purpose.

  • @tonyraheja1
    @tonyraheja1 6 місяців тому

    Very interesting... Fascinating '30s.. Beautiful pics again... Thanks

  • @malakiblunt
    @malakiblunt 3 роки тому +2

    intreasting and well written - "intreasting stability developments " i know what that feels like :-) subscribed

  • @gtipp10
    @gtipp10 2 роки тому +1

    I have seen several of these flying together a few years ago. The sound was unforgettable.

  • @somerandomguy___
    @somerandomguy___ 3 роки тому +15

    Here are some translations
    1:14 : 1 and 2-y VARIANT
    9:19 (apologies in advance for this crude translation) : Glory to the heroes that partook in the war! Glory stalinism sokolam (i have no clue what "sokolam" means)
    11:11 : For the USSR! (and fun fact : the acronym "USSR" is a direct translation of the russian acrnym word for word so its full name is "Союз Советских Социалистических Републик" (Latinised : Soyuz Sovetkikh Sotsialisticheskikh Repyblik) which of course translates to Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

    • @mikaler6327
      @mikaler6327 3 роки тому +5

      "Sokolam" is "Falcons"

    • @MenRot
      @MenRot 3 роки тому +4

      Сталинским соколам- Stalinskim sokolam- for Stalin's falcons

    • @steve1978ger
      @steve1978ger 3 роки тому +2

      Glory to the heroes of the patriotic war! Glory to Stalin's falcons!

  • @williamscoggin1509
    @williamscoggin1509 2 роки тому +1

    Very unique, and very helpful the way it would easily recover from stalls. That's a plus for any pilot! 👍🏻

  • @peterjohnson6273
    @peterjohnson6273 2 роки тому

    Intelligent, with a droll sense of humour, your videos are some of the best on youtube. Thanks for producing them. :>)

  • @animaltvi
    @animaltvi 2 роки тому +2

    Saw one of these flying at duxford a few years ago. Very distinctive sound. Sounded like a tractor.. developed a fondness for it though. .

  • @doc2help
    @doc2help 3 роки тому

    This is a treasure trove of information that is fun yet nicely detailed. Thank you!

  • @johnhess351
    @johnhess351 Рік тому +1

    At 1:55 the simulated Englishman states that an I-19 early prototype had a "wooden monocoque fuselage with fabric covering". Monocoque means the primary strength comes from the covering. Unless the covered the metal skin with fabric, this airplane would have been as strong as a heavily starched sock, if what you say is true. Has Rex been replaced by an AI? Otherwise a good video, like the rest.

  • @climberly
    @climberly 3 роки тому +26

    by far my favorite airplane, ever!

  • @stephenbesley3177
    @stephenbesley3177 Рік тому +2

    I have nothing but admiration for Russian test pilots who put their lives at risk testing the many Soviet era aircraft.

  • @robertdragoff6909
    @robertdragoff6909 2 роки тому +2

    It looks like something someone built in their garage in their spare time.
    Cute little plane
    But who knew that it was the first fighter to pack missiles?
    Good video

  • @wdtaut5650
    @wdtaut5650 2 роки тому +1

    10:44 What plane is at the top center, with the dark fuselage and inline engine?

  • @jasonz7788
    @jasonz7788 3 роки тому +2

    Great work Sir thank you

  • @dr.brigh0275
    @dr.brigh0275 2 роки тому

    first video i´ve seen from you but if my ears didnt fail me that intro was a Spitfire startup and it was beatifull

  • @Afro408
    @Afro408 3 роки тому +1

    I like the starting method! 😁 Very good and comprehensive history. 👍👏

  • @patjohnson3100
    @patjohnson3100 2 роки тому +2

    Very interesting video. Why does the I 16 have cut out openings in the front of the cowling instead of the much more common fully open cowling?

    • @pdxyyz4327
      @pdxyyz4327 2 роки тому +1

      Cold weathet flight requires shuttering the cowling. This cowling can be closed to ensure it doesn't ice up

  • @jaanikaapa6925
    @jaanikaapa6925 Місяць тому

    Rex... This looks a lot like the Geebee. Even if that is not a military plane, I'd love for you to do a video on that racer.

  • @bobrobert1123
    @bobrobert1123 3 роки тому +1

    Great show my man, you got yourself a sub!

  • @markbooth1117
    @markbooth1117 3 роки тому +20

    Love the channel, as an aircraft nut it is great. You are the aircraft equivalent to Mark Felton for me.

  • @drstevenrey
    @drstevenrey 2 роки тому +2

    As a Canadian, I always asked myself why the American radial engines never ever had these Russian cowlings with the shutters in front. Back in the day, way up in the Yukon, I would have been tickled pink having such shutters. If it is minus 30 on the ground, it will be minus 70 aloft. Yeah, right, no shutters, darn.

    • @pup1008
      @pup1008 2 роки тому

      Not so hot 🔥 in the Pacific though....

  • @deanwoolston4794
    @deanwoolston4794 3 роки тому

    Awesome channel, for those of us who love learning about vintage aircraft.

  • @jjjcmo
    @jjjcmo 2 роки тому

    I’m now a subscriber. Thanks for work my friend!

  • @javierguillen2088
    @javierguillen2088 2 роки тому +2

    El "polikarpov - 16 llamado" chato"fue la estrella de la guerra en el aire durante la guerra civil española.. Saludos desde Fontainebleau 🇨🇵

  • @davidcomtedeherstal
    @davidcomtedeherstal 3 місяці тому +1

    The I-116 was called usually "Rata" the rat.

  • @Mr_Twister77
    @Mr_Twister77 2 роки тому +57

    I'm russian and I'm aviation fan, and of course I know about history of this legendary plane which is one of symbols of Victory in Great Patriotic War in our country. But I am really very interested in a look from the outside at the creations of our designers, besides, sometimes in Western sources there are some details that we can only find in the archives. And other videos on this channel are just a godsend for such an aviation history lover like me!

    • @KateLicker
      @KateLicker 2 роки тому +5

      Hope you are one of the decent ones and not pro-Putin.

    • @ccmadminstrator
      @ccmadminstrator 2 роки тому +20

      @@KateLicker hopefully you are one of the liberal side who can let people to believe in what they want to believe, even if it is Putin.

    • @KD-cg9iq
      @KD-cg9iq 2 роки тому +23

      Hello Matvey, as a Westerner I would like to apologize on behalf of KateLicker , nice to see that the interest in aviation history is something we all can enjoy.

    • @KateLicker
      @KateLicker 2 роки тому +6

      @@ccmadminstrator No, I concede that I cannot actually prevent people from following monsters or supporting and participating in monstrous events, but that does not have to mean I have to endorse or fail to condemn it, which is apparently the at-best apathy of you and your buddy KD here.And btw I did not accuse the Russian poster of taking that position either, I said that I hoped he was not one of the accomplices to it.

    • @ПетарКурилић
      @ПетарКурилић 2 роки тому +3

      @@KateLicker why bring politics into a conversation about a plane? Please shut up

  • @FortuneZer0
    @FortuneZer0 2 роки тому +2

    I just love how much it looks like a comic design.

  • @jennywakeman512
    @jennywakeman512 2 роки тому +1

    That being said, the I-16s had two machineguns mounted under the hood inside the plane's fuselage, near its engine. You can totally see that two machinegun spots in frontal of the plane (right above the propeller). I dont know where did you find this "wing mounted" machineguns, especially 4 of them. As i know, and as i saw at the museums, there were always two ShKAS under the hood, and then the wing mounted ShKASes and even 20mm cannons were added

    • @jean-bastienjoly5962
      @jean-bastienjoly5962 2 роки тому

      I do renember a version of the I-16 with only wing mounted machinegun in war thunder, probably a VERY early version of it. And i can see why those variant, if they had fought in the Spanish Civil War, lead to the "need more firepower" thing.

  • @mikefabbi5127
    @mikefabbi5127 2 роки тому +2

    What a cool looking little plane.

  • @carlorrman8769
    @carlorrman8769 3 роки тому +5

    Hi there Rex, haven't seen your show before. Excellent man. Really informative.

  • @GnutAh
    @GnutAh 2 роки тому +1

    Oh, please do a video about the first missile kill too!

  • @EricF647
    @EricF647 3 роки тому +2

    Well produced & researched WW2 content, a real pleasure to watch

    • @tvideo1189
      @tvideo1189 3 роки тому

      Nope. RIDDLED with wrong information.

  • @theinspector1023
    @theinspector1023 3 роки тому +1

    Good channel, but you keep referring to the antiquated wooden structure. Spare a thought for the DeHavilland Mosquito and what it achieved during WW2. Wood can/could be just as good as metal and it meant that aircraft construction could be achieved by builders other than metal construction specialists.
    A marvellous aircraft, and a marvellous sound! A pioneer and a classic.

    • @mikeholland1031
      @mikeholland1031 2 роки тому

      Mossie didn't have an antiquated wooden structure. It was wood but used modern construction techniques.

  • @PIERRECLARY
    @PIERRECLARY 2 роки тому

    I love this plane... It reminds me of the mickey mouse airplane, even more so than the "buffalo"....
    another great video! Thanks for your work!

  • @paulmarchlewski6354
    @paulmarchlewski6354 2 роки тому +2

    The origonal I16 was probably unique in having a complete canopy that slid forwards not backwards on rails. You can see it in one of the earlier photos. Cant think offhand of any other plane that did that.

    • @Havana-8
      @Havana-8 2 місяці тому

      Gravity, I suppose. The chassis of these planes made canopy stay at an angle while the plane is on ground, as it did with almost all planes in 1940s. So pushing a canopy up against gravity after having an enduring flight would be... An inconvenience. Wouldn't it?

  • @diegoferreiro9478
    @diegoferreiro9478 3 роки тому +3

    The name 'Mosca' ('fly') given by the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War seems to come by the misreading of the original Soviet documentation where the world 'Mockba' (Moscow in Russian) figured prominently. As 'Mockba' (in Russian) looks very like to 'Mosca' (in Spanish), then 'Mosca' was the name for the plane. Or that was the tale says.
    And the name stuck to the point that the aircraft code was 'CM' for 'Caza Mosca' (Mosca Fighter) (As in the profile at 7:07)

    • @Kruglik_Igor
      @Kruglik_Igor 2 роки тому

      Not true. The Spanish called the I-16 "Chatos. That is, "snub nose." And the Nazis "rat" is true.

    • @diegoferreiro9478
      @diegoferreiro9478 2 роки тому

      @@Kruglik_Igor please review your sources.
      The I-15 was known as Chato and the I-16 as Mosca on the Republican side. Both planes were respectively known as Curtiss and Rata on the Nationalist side. Period.

    • @Kruglik_Igor
      @Kruglik_Igor 2 роки тому

      @@diegoferreiro9478 Yes. That's right. You are not the first person to write this to me. If you'll excuse me, my memory fails me. I studied the history of the Spanish Civil War over 40 years ago. That's why I'm confused. I apologize again.

    • @diegoferreiro9478
      @diegoferreiro9478 2 роки тому

      @@Kruglik_Igor no problem.

  • @survivor194
    @survivor194 3 роки тому +2

    The American Frank Tinker downed the first Me109 ever lost in combat while flying an I 16. (Spanish civil war).
    Kermit Weeks owns one. You can clearly see the canopy slide rail ends

    • @Verbindungs
      @Verbindungs 3 роки тому +1

      One the most common myths of the Spanish Civil War is that the quality and quantity of the German help to nationalist side supposed an immediate superiority for that side. No so, in quality the I-16 was far better than anything the nationalists could field, including German help, and the bf-109 only appeared much later in the war. And in quantity, the high number of planes and tanks received from the Soviet Union meant that they had to become part of the nationalist army by the end of the war.

  • @jack1701e
    @jack1701e 11 місяців тому +1

    Honestly love this plane and those like it in War Thunder. They're so nippy and swift and dish out a surprising amount of damage. A real barnstormer!

  • @MGB-learning
    @MGB-learning 3 роки тому +1

    Great video!

  • @ThomasAnderson
    @ThomasAnderson Рік тому +9

    Is it just me, or does this plane have a set of lines that are absolutely timeless? This was beautiful in 1930, it is beautiful in 2023.

    • @zachdew9gaming985
      @zachdew9gaming985 Рік тому +2

      This comment reminds me of the saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Mainly because i would be hard pressed to find a more ugly aircraft.

    • @yarpenzirgin1826
      @yarpenzirgin1826 Рік тому

      You like your women on the chubby side, don't you :).

  • @Hopeless_and_Forlorn
    @Hopeless_and_Forlorn Рік тому +1

    Every city should have an I-16 replica to be flown around at random times to boost morale. Who could see a Rata doing its thing in the sky without feeling better about the world in general?

  • @graantmnz
    @graantmnz 11 місяців тому +1

    i have seen and watched one of these flying ..they have the coolest sounding radial engine I have ever heard ...

  • @oat138
    @oat138 2 роки тому

    10:45 what is that inline powered aircraft in the background?

  • @SergeantSniper
    @SergeantSniper Рік тому +1

    It's so adorable, absolutely cute airplane.

  • @JohnJohansen2
    @JohnJohansen2 2 роки тому

    3:03 Actually it looks like the landing gear is retracted into the fuselage.

  • @Schlipperschlopper
    @Schlipperschlopper 2 роки тому +3

    My favourite fighter!!!

  • @garyjust.johnson1436
    @garyjust.johnson1436 3 роки тому +1

    Knife fight in a phone booth is my new catch phrase for 2022!

    • @MrNicoJac
      @MrNicoJac 3 роки тому

      Please, let's not!
      As if 2021 wasn't bad enough already 😆

    • @mikeholland1031
      @mikeholland1031 2 роки тому

      But it's an old saying

  • @StevenStanleyBayes
    @StevenStanleyBayes 2 роки тому +1

    The designers were kept inside the factory by soldiers, because, back then and even now, airplanes were considered unbelievable top secret, mainly, the design stage. No one wants the enemy to get the design before them.

  • @michaelyoung7261
    @michaelyoung7261 Рік тому +2

    I have the game Squadron Scramble and it has a I-16 as the only Russian plane to be represented. I’ve always liked this plane because it reminds me so much of the GeeBee racing plane that I had a model of. Cute planes. Very chibi. Much adorbs 🥰

    • @kiwitrainguy
      @kiwitrainguy 11 місяців тому

      Yes the I-16 reminded me of a GeeBee as well, similar aircraft from the same time period. Important difference: the I-16 wasn't as unstable as the GeeBee. The GeeBee was just a large radial engine with stubbly wings, practically no tail surfaces, oh yeah, better put a pilot in it somewhere as well.😅

  • @robertsansone1680
    @robertsansone1680 Рік тому

    Mosca. Excellent as usual. Thank You

  • @clivelee4279
    @clivelee4279 3 роки тому

    Competent and interesting, thank you

  • @Fast58Eddie
    @Fast58Eddie Рік тому +2

    The Spanish Nationalist hated this plane, they called La Rata (the Rat). It was superior to the Italian Fiat fighters were going up against them. However, all that changed when the German bf109 stated to arrive in numbers. It was no match for the Messerschmitt bf 109!

  • @michaelleslie2913
    @michaelleslie2913 3 роки тому +3

    Always reminds me of the American G bee race aircraft with its stubby airframe and chunky motor.

  • @gglen2141
    @gglen2141 Місяць тому

    I once read that when fighters went from open canopy to closed canopy the pilots complained that it made it difficult for them to "sniff out" enemy planes. In pre radar days pilots would get a rough idea of altitude and heading of enemy bombers and would then start criss-crossing till they picked up the notable gas stink of massive aircraft engines.....exactly like a bloodhound. They would then zoom in on that. I always thought that was massively cool.

  • @bennails3447
    @bennails3447 2 роки тому +2

    A great vehicle for its time👍

  • @arts-facts79
    @arts-facts79 2 роки тому

    In the spanish civil war it was nicknamed "mosca". Meaning "fly" (in reference to the insect)

  • @vadimpm1290
    @vadimpm1290 Рік тому

    One essentional note: mass replacement of I-16 by Yak fighters had begun not in the end of 1942, but one year earlier.

  • @patosentado9665
    @patosentado9665 2 роки тому

    My favourite propeller plane, but after this video I will follow the channel

  • @MrLolx2u
    @MrLolx2u 2 роки тому +6

    The I-16 might seem obsolete but it depends on how you see it and the quality definitely isn't Polikarpov's fault.
    In fact, the plane was useful to the Russians that they continued using it in small numbers till the end of war.
    Due to it being way smaller and nimbler than the BF-109, the Soviets soon realized that in open grounds in the central Russian plains, it was useless as the BF-109 could fly rings around it and it would be a sitting duck whereas in the Carpathian mountain and Caucasus region where the planes are mostly flying extremely low and ducking and weaving between mountain ranges, the I-16 proved to be the king and they often use one to bait the BF-109 to go low and chase one into the ranges and once the Luftwaffe pilot becomes encumbered with the burden on the mountainous terrain, another I-16 would come in and swoop the BF-109.
    It worked soo well that pilots soon rejected any other planes except the I-16 and whatever the Soviet Air Force had left that wasn't destroyed be given to the air forces down south to fight the Luftwaffe threat at the Caucasus.

    • @thanakonpraepanich4284
      @thanakonpraepanich4284 2 роки тому

      I think another large dose of bad press the plane got came from the Chinese theater where Kuomintang I-16 piloted by seals went against Japanese unicums flying Zeros and Soviet volunteers were too few to made up the differences. Real life seal clubbing if there ever was one.
      Of course Jiang is not going to openly accept his air forces are filled with potatoes so the plane took the blame. The image stuck.

    • @MrLolx2u
      @MrLolx2u 2 роки тому +1

      @@thanakonpraepanich4284 The I-16 actually never took the blame at all during the Chinese theater. In fact, it has one of the best ratios out there, far superseding the Eastern Front ones.
      When the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out, China had a relatively small airforce and the I-16 only had about 250-300 units in the air and only about 150 pilots that can fly it across the vast landscape of China and by 1941 since the outbreak started in 1936, the tallies if I remember correctly was about 250 planes downed in total for the I-16 with various pilots with the loss of 85 planes where most of the pilots were useless Chinese conscripts or Russian pilots who were too strung after long stints of combat.
      When the Russians fully backed out, the I-16 lost parts and that's why they wern't really flown again in China and the new pilot situation did not help either.
      Yes the count of 250 or so planes vs the loss of 85 themselves seems like a high count but it was within a span of like 7 years which itself was pretty amazing considering the state the Chinese Air Force was in and the constant mismatched planes they had.

  • @alexandervapnyar3979
    @alexandervapnyar3979 Рік тому +1

    The I--16's nickname wasn't related to its bulky look but rather to its name. "I-16" ( "И Шестнадцать" in Russian) starts with sounds of "И" (`Ee`) and "Ш" (SH), exactly like the word "ИШак" - "jackass"

  • @maxsmodels
    @maxsmodels 2 роки тому +1

    I believe the planes in Wanaka NZ were actually new ones.

  • @metivs
    @metivs 3 роки тому +1

    This guy is like Mark Felton warstories in planes! HIGH quality research, done much respect.

  • @survivor194
    @survivor194 3 роки тому

    AAHHH The canopy slide rails can be seen on the edges of the instrument panel as the canopy SLID FORWARD!! Yuck.
    11:55 ground crew hand props motor into life.
    12:15 Rod extends off rear of truck to engage gizmo on prop spinner to start engine.

    • @paulrward
      @paulrward 3 роки тому

      Actually, at 11:55, the Mechanics are ' Pulling the Props Through ' to get the oil
      circulating in the engine prior to starting it. For a two bladed prop, you generally
      pull it for three ' blades ' for each cylinder of the engine. On the I-16s, they would
      pull it 27 'blades ' , plus three for good measure, for a total of 30, or 15 revolutions
      of the prop.