FLUF, the Fighter?

The world's first low-wing monoplane fighter with a retractable landing gear: the Polikarpov I-16. It came from Russia in 1933. Now, 70 years later, visitors to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2003 will get to see one of only six remaining flying examples of this aircraft during the show (July 29-August 4). The aircraft, owned by the Commemorative Air Force, will be transported to Oshkosh where test pilot Dave Morss plans to fly it during the showcase, or perhaps the in the warbirds' performances.

"This airplane will undoubtedly be a popular draw for EAA AirVenture participants," EAA President Tom Poberezny said. "Even devoted warbird enthusiasts have likely never seen this airplane up close. Its appearance at AirVenture further indicates that Oshkosh is the place where the world of aviation annually comes together."

The Polikarpov measures just under 20 feet long and is powered by a 1,000 horsepower M-62 radial engine. It was considered well ahead of its time and performed admirably against the German fighters during the Spanish Civil War (1936 to 1939) and against the Japanese Air Force in Manchuria in 1937. Polikarpovs were also the world's first rocket-equipped fighters.

From the moment Germany invaded Russia in 1941, it was obsolete. More than 7,000 of the I-16s were produced, and they served as Russia's front-line fighter well into 1943. Partly because of their appearance and durability, Russians had several unique nicknames for the aircraft: Rata (rat), Mosca (fly), Yastrebok (eagle) and Ishak (little donkey).

Its all-wood, monocoque fuselage and 29-foot, 1.5-inch metal wings proved durable in battle, but the airplanes required highly-skilled pilots to perform well, particularly against better-qualified opponents. They also were very thirsty, holding just 60-gallons of fuel, and burning 70gph at top speed (304 mph). The manually-operated main gears work through a series of drums, pulleys and cables and, according to Morss, require 45 turns to raise or lower [reducing gear-up time on any mission to maybe -- what -- ten minutes?].

The world's entire collection -- six flying I-16s -- were all wrecks, and were restored to flying condition in New Zealand by the end of 1998; they're all Type 24s, all built in 1939.

Specifications (I-16 Type 24):

Engine: One 1,000-hp M-62 radial piston engine
Weight: Empty 3,252 lbs., MTOW: 4,542 lbs.
Wing Span: 29ft. 1.5in.
Length: 19ft. 9.75in.
Height: 7ft. 10.75in.

Armament:
Four 7.62-mm (0.3-inch) Sh KAS machine guns (Two in forward fuselage; two in wings)
Up to 441 pounds of bombs or six RS-82 rockets on underwing racks

Number Built: 7,000+
Airworthy Today: 6

Performance:

Maximum Speed at 10,000 ft: 304 mph
Ceiling: 31,070 ft.
Range: 373 miles

[We don't know if anyone else has picked up on the nickname we give it here, but somebody said it, and it stuck: FLUF -- Fat Little Ugly Fella --ed.]

FMI: www.airventure.org