Bell P-39 Airacobra
The Bell P-39 was designed in 1937 in response to a USAAC requirement for a new fighter that could match the performance of European models that were then in development – particularly the Supermarine Spitfire […]
VVS
Polikarpov I-153
The Polikarpov I-153 was designed to improve on the performance of the I-15 whilst retaining the manoeuvrability inherent to biplane designs. Soviet doctrine of the time required a mixed for of fast monoplanes like the […]
Polikarpov R-5
Designed by Nikolai Polikarpov, the Polikarpov R-5 was a reconnaissance aircraft and light bomber that replaced the older R-1. In addition to being supplied in huge quantities to the Soviet air force, or VVS, it […]
Polikarpov I-16
Whilst design work for the I-15 biplane fighter was underway, Nikolai Polikarpov also began to work on a revolutionary monoplane design with retractable undercarriage and a fully enclosed cockpit. This new design was accepted even […]
Polikarpov I-15
The Polikarpov I-15 was designed for the VVS (Soviet Air Force) in 1932. Nikolai Polikarpov had only recently been released from prison when he was handed the task, and the designer based his new fighter […]
Tupolev SB-2
The Tupolev SB-2 was designed in response to a 1933 requirement for a high speed bomber for the VVS (Soviet Air Force). Two prototype ANT-40s were produced with different engine equipment, with the Hispano-Suiza equipped […]