Bell P-39 Airacobra

March 14, 2017 PE Matt 6

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 […]

Polikarpov I-153

Polikarpov I-153

June 19, 2015 PE Matt 0

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

Polikarpov R-5

June 15, 2015 PE Matt 0

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

April 5, 2015 PE Matt 0

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

April 5, 2015 PE Matt 0

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

April 5, 2015 PE Matt 0

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 […]