RED STAR No 6 POLIKARPOV'S BIPLANE FIGHTERS

This book explores the development of Polikarpov's fighting biplanes from the 2I-N1 to his first aircraft to see production; to the I-3 and the I-5, created while the designer was in prison. The I-5 design paved the way for the I-15 which earned fame as the Chato during the Spanish Civil War and also saw action against the Japanese, and the I-15bis which owed its existence mainly to Soviet Air Force's prejudice against gull wings, and the famous I-153 Chaika, a gull-wing biplane with retractable landing gear. Experimental versions of this aircraft are also included. A detailed account of the combat role of these aircraft is given as are structural descriptions. The book also includes details of the ill-starred I-190 which was to have superseded the Chaika and of privately owned I-15bis and I-153s which have been restored to airworthy condition. With 250 colour and black and white photographs and over sixty colour side views.