| Technical data | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | I-14bis, ANT-31bis | |
| Function | Fighter | |
| Year | 1934 | |
| Crew | 1 | |
| Engines | 640hp Wright- Cyclone 9 | 712hp Wright- Cyclone SGR1820-F3 or M-25 |
| Length | 6.1m | |
| Wingspan | 11.2m | |
| Wing area | 16.9m2 | |
| Empty weight | 1169kg | 1170kg |
| Loaded weight | 1524kg | 1540kg |
| Wing Load (kg/m2) | 89.7 | 90.5 |
| Power load (kg/hp) | 2.38 | 2.17 |
| Speed at 0m | 323km/h | 375km/h |
| Speed at 3000m | 414km/h | 449km/h |
| Turn time | 14.0sec | 14.0sec |
| Landing Speed | - | 146km/h |
| Landing Roll | 320m | 320m |
| Takeoff Roll | - | 230m |
| Ceiling | 7200m | 9430m |
| Climb | ||
| 5000m | 9.6min | 6.5min |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 2*37mm APK-37 |
2*45mm APK-11 2*7.62mm ShKAS |
ANT-31bis, I-14bis, P.O.Sukhoj ( A.N.Tupolev bureau)
|
Successful trials of the I-14 allowed the team to proceed with upgraded prototype, I-14bis. Design included several changes:
- cockpit became open with long narrow windscreen - result of pilot's resistance to enclosed cockpit;
- all aircraft skin became smooth;
- landing gear attachment was moved to the fuselage, retracting outwards to the wings.
Pre-series I-14bis was powered with 640hp Wright-Cyclone 9 engine and armed with two APK-37 cannons.
Production aircraft had 712hp Wright-Cyclone SGR-1820-F-3 or its Soviet-built copy M-25. Armament was increased to pair of 45mm APK-11 and two 7.62mm ShKAS machineguns.
Performance was high, but spin delays of the I-14 were not eliminated. Narrow wheel base was also a disadvantage - all Soviet fighters for decades will be designed to operate from unpaved airstrips.
Assembly of 55 aircraft was started, but only 18 were transferred to fighter units, because powerful competitor - famous Polikarpov I-16 rolled out. And it was superior to ANT-31bis in all respects, except stability on tight turns.
References:
- "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.1 p.490-491;
