Fighter biplane mixed construction, H conceived. Polikarpov as a deep modernization of the I-15, aimed at a significant improvement in speed qualities. The main innovation was the introduction of retractable landing gear. Besides, constructor provided the use of a more powerful engine, replacement of obsolete machine guns PT-1 new ShKAS. Alteration undergone center section of the upper wing, retaining the characteristic form of "seagull", but with a larger collapse, which improved the aerodynamics of the aircraft and view from the pilot's seat. Aircraft project, the designation I-153, has been approved 11 November 1937 city, and the first of two prototypes with engine M-25B was submitted for testing in August 1938 g.
Polikarpov I-153 – video
In the autumn 1939 g. were ready 2 first instance with the motors M-63, read the serial, but in fact used to test. Serial production was carried out by the Moscow aircraft factory number 1, to issue up to 1941 g. 3437 aircraft-153 (1011 at 1939 city, 2362 at 1940 g. and 64 at 1941 g), of them 345 with motors M-63, rest – M-62. The first battle for "Gull" were fighting in Khalkhin- in the middle 1939 g. In July and August in the area of hostilities came to a total of 70 I-153, showed to be very good fighters. Airplane showed an advantage in speed and maneuverability over Japanese fighter monoplane-Ki-27.
By the beginning of the Soviet-Finnish war, the border with Finland focused 119 AED 153 BBC RKKA. In the early days of the conflict the use of "Gull" at the front celebrated as episodic -Most-153 carried on combat duty in the Leningrad Air Defense System. Their combat use intensified in February and March 1940 g. In particular, during the period of I-153 is widely employed for the bomber escort.
To 21 trophy-153 used the Finnish Air Force. 5 of them were captured during the "Winter War", yet 10 They have been sold to Germany at the end of 1942 city, others were captured in the fall 1941 g. and 1942 g. Aircraft initially operated group LeLv 6, November 1942 g. – in Lelv 30, and in the spring of 1944. -in LeLv Intelligence Group 16, ensured the fighting in the area of Lake Onega. Finnish "Seagull" served until February 1945 g.
In the first half 1940 g. 93 I-153 arrived in China. Aircraft involved to ensure the air defense of large cities and in the main have been lost by the middle 1941 city, although individual sorties "Gulls" in China occurred in 1942-1943 gg.
On the eve of the German attack on the USSR in fighter regiment border districts there were about 1300 I-153 (about 30 % their composition), even more 200 "Gull" was registered in the Air Force of the Black Sea, Baltic and Northern fleets. There were they in a number of assault regiments. And if you resist "Messerschmitts" I-153 could not, against the bombers and reconnaissance of the enemy they used with some success. characteristically, the first IAP, received the name of Guards 6 December 1941 city, He fought precisely on I-153 (and I-16). They became the 29th IAP, thrown in the first weeks of the war in the Far East and in force on the Western Front.
Quite common "Seagull" was in the air defense units: 6-j IAK PVO, covering the Moscow, in the middle of July 1941 g. I was 94 such a fighter (of the total composition 783 Aircraft), a 7th IAK PVO, guarding the sky of Leningrad – 38 (of 242). But if these two connections to the end of the year "Seagulls" is almost gone, to the 8-m IAK PVO, Blanking Baku and surrounding oil fields, In the middle 1942 g. there 141 I-153 (of 266 aircraft).
The main application for I-153 on the Eastern front steel punches assault. This role is not only used the "Seagull" Attack Aviation Regiment, but the fighter, and when the enemy approached Moscow and the North Caucasus – even a regiment of the 6th and 8th IAK PVO. AT 1942 g. squadron-153 were included in some night bomber regiments for covering the U-2.
As of 1 July 1942 g. Soviet tactical aviation possessed 83 I-153, and a year later they were left at the front 36 units. Naturally, the wide combat application it was not, but to cover the internal convoys in the Northern Fleet Air Force used the White Sea-153 until May 1945 city!
As the crown of the concept of development maneuverable fighter biplane, I-153 is on a par with CR.42 and "Gladiator", comparing favorably to the presence of these retractable landing gear. surpassing its predecessor – I-15bis – at a rate of approximately 50 kmh, «Seagull», but, I could not compete with high-speed monoplanes. Nevertheless, It was used extensively in the Second World War fronts for solving a wide variety of tasks.
modifications
II-153 - M-25B - the first production samples
I-153P - M-62 - same, the previous, but instead of 4 ShKAS - 2 ShVAK - synchronous. I was in the series (constructed 8 machines).
I-153B - M-62 - a high-rise with a pressurized cockpit (welded) A. I. Shcherbakova. Experienced.
I-153V - M-63 TK.GK. - I had 2 turbocompressor TC-3 and a soft cab. Experienced.
Performance characteristics gull-153
– Manufacturer: GAS №1 (Moscow)
– chief designer: Polikarpov n. n.
– First flight: August 1938
– End of operation: 1945
– years of production: autumn 1939 – 1941
– units produced: 3437
Crew-153 Gull
– 1 pilot
Size-153 Gull
– Length: 6,275 m
– Wingspan: top 10,0 m, lower 7,5 m
– Height: 3,425 m
– wing area: 22,14 m² (both wings)
– Wing loading: 84 kg / m
Weight-153 Gull
– empty weight: 1 348 kg
– Normal takeoff weight: 1 765 kg
– Maximum takeoff weight: 1 859 kg
– Mass fuel in internal tanks: 240 kg
– Volume of fuel tanks: 316 l
Engine-153 Gull
– 1 × radial M-62
– engine power: 1 × 1000 HP. (1 × 610 kW (rated, near the ground))
– thrust-to-weight ratio: 328 W / kg
– Air propeller: Em AV-1
– The diameter of the screw: 2,8 m
Speed-153 Gull
– full speed: near the ground 366 kmh, on the border of altitude 426 kmh
– stall speed: 110 kmh
– Skoropodъёmnost: 15 m / s
– set the height 3000 m: 5,5 min.
– set the height 11000 m: 31 min.
– The length of the run: 106 m
Range of flight-153 Seagull
– 740 km (practical)
Practical ceiling-153 Seagull
– 11 000 m
Arming-153 Gull
– Small-pushechnoe: 4 × 7,62 mm machine gun with ammunition ShKAS 2500 patr.
– rockets: to 8 X RS-82
– bombs: to 200 kg
Picture-153 Seagull
