I-16 Type 20 by N.N.Polikarpov

Two 15k photos of the I-16 Type 20 from article 'Long-range I-16 fighter' in Vestnik Vozdushnogo Flota (Air Fleet Herald);

The standard I-16s until 1937 were not equipped with 'wet points' for external fuel tanks. More powerful engines consumed the fuel faster, and range became a problem. I-16 was also a candidate for escorting fast SB bombers.
To address this problem, unarmed I-16 Type 10 was used. It carried two slipper-type auxiliary fuel tanks (200l each) under the wings. Aircraft had also redesigned landing gear wheel covers, removed rear sections of the nose guns fairings. Overall Silver painting.
It was flown in the Winter of 1939. Range was increased from 800km to 1,200km. Type 20 remained as a one of its kind, but successfully tested external tanks were used by later models Type 18, 24 and 29.
PredecessorsModifications

I-16 Type 10
I-16 Type 24		 I-16 Type 27 I-16 Type 29
ReferencesLinks
  • Long-range I-16 fighter at Vestnik Vozdushnogo Flota (Air Fleet Herald) archives;
  • 'Polikarpov Fighters in action, Part 2' by Hans-Herri Stapfer.
    		•
  • See the I-16 Links Page
    • Created March 11, 1998
    by Alexandre Savine    		 Back to
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