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Golden Age   polikarpov I-15/I-152
 
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The I-15 was actually an improvement on the I-5, another bi-plane fighter, which was still being developed and not yet produced. The idea was to use an improved engine, and the use of the 'Gull" shaped wings that gave the Chaika it's nickname later.

 
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The design was finalized as the TsKB-3. The TsKB-3 prototype first flew in October 1933 with a powerplant of one SGR-1820-F3 Cyclone radial engine rated at 710 hp (529 kW) at optimum altitude and driving a two-blade metal propeller with blades whose pitch could be adjusted on the ground. The trials revealed that the TsKB-3 had excellent performance and first-class agility, and the factory and official trials were completed in about two months.

 

 
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The TsKB-3 was ordered into production as the I-15, but as the negotiations for licensed production of the R-1820 Cyclone were proceeding only slowly, the first 404 production aircraft were completed with the radial-engined powerplant of the I-5, namely the M-22 (Bristol Jupiter VI sub-licensed from Gnome-Rhône) engine rated at 480 hp (358 kW) at optimum altitude, driving a two-blade metal propeller with ground-adjustable blades, and installed inside a narrow-chord Townend ring cowling.

 
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Later aircraft with the intended powerplant were tested by the State Commision, which concluded that the I-15 had a better performance than all other Soviet fighters, and had a maneuverability and climb rate that matched those of the best foreign fighters.

 
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During the Second Sino-japanese War some I-15's were delivered to China in an attempt to aid them.By this time the I-15bis was the main operational type. The main opponent by that time was the Japanese Nakajima Ki-27 monoplane, which outperformed the I-15bis.

 
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A number of I-15's have been used by other nations as well. China and Spain took delivery of various I-15 models, and the Finns managed to capture some aircraft during the 'Winter War'. these captured aircraft, together with 14 aircraft captured by germany were fitted with Browning machine guns, and were used against the Soviets.
 

 
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At least 8 of these survived until the end of the Soviet-Finnish hostilities in 1944.
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