I-207 No3 and No4 (products '8' and '9') by A.A.Borovkov and I.F.Florov

44k b/w I-207 (product '8') "History of aircraft construction in the USSR" by V.B.Shavrov, Vol.2 p.66

L
imited success of I-207 No1 and No2, (product '7') trials resulted in an obvious move - introduction of retractable undercarriage. This task was fulfilled by introduction of unusual technic, when gear was retracted vertically into the fuselage by special lever frame. Just a tiny fairing were added under the fuselage.
The '8' (ready at Fall 1939) was powered by same engine and propeller as the product '7'. Introduction of retractable undercarriage boosted the performance, allowing to add two 250kg bombs or external fuel tanks.
44k b/w I-207 (product '8'), courtesy of Sergey Andreev

Despite all gains in performance, product '8' could not satisfy demands of year 1940. It was used as a testbed (one of) for I.A.Merkulov's DM-4 ramjet boosters, installed under the lower wing (replacing the external fuel tanks). About 20 flights with firing ramjets were performed without an accident.
Final version of the I-207 (product '9') was finished in Spring 1941. M-63 engine was equipped with a gearbox and turned new 3-blade VISh (3.0m diameter). Cockpit was enclosed, with canopy opening sidewards. Trials cancelled on the War outbreak.
PredecessorsModifications

7211
I-207
product '7' 		None
ReferencesLinks
  • "History of aircraft construction in the USSR" by V.B.Shavrov, Vol.2 p.65;
  • I-207, Borovkov-Florov
    		• Technical data
    Type I-207 'product 8' I-207 'product 9'
    Function Fighter Prototype
    Year Fall 1939 Spring 1941
    Crew 1
    Engines 1*930/1100hp M-63 1*930/1100hp M-63 with gearbox
    Length 6.35m 6.70m
    Wingspan 7.0m
    Wing area 18.0m2
    Loaded weight 1850kg 2200kg
    Wing load 103kg/m2 122kg/m2
    Power load 1.7kg/hp 2.0kg/hp
    Speed at 0m 428km/h 460km/h
    Speed at 4000m 486km/h 518km/h
    Landing Speed 115km/h
    Range n/a 640km
    Ceiling n/a 10500m
    Climb
    5000m 4.6min 4.5min
    Armament
    Guns 4*7.62mm ShKAS
    550rpg
    Created November 25, 1998
    by Alexandre Savine    		 Back to
    Main Gate