I-6, N.N.Polikarpov

Small biplane fighter, development of 2I-N1 and I-3 with radial Gnome-Rhone Jupiter VI engine. Engine cradle (precisely calculated by engineer I.A.Tavastersihn) it was much lighter than on other contemporary aircraft without giving up strength.

N.N.Polikarpov was assigned to develop the I-6 (primarily wooden monocoque) fighter (delivery July/August 1930) under provisions of the Five Year Plane for experimental aircraft design (starting 1928). Construction started in May 1929 and was ready (two aircraft) early Spring 1930. It was planned to present new aircraft to public and leadership during May 1st parade. But since September 1929 jobs were carried out without Designer General...

When the unrealistic Plane was obviously failed, N.N.Polikarpov and other ~450 aircraft designers and engineers were arrested by the NKVD as saboteurs. Some 300 survived, and were arranged to work in the police supervised design bureaus and experimental factories (dubbed Sharashkas). N.N.Polikarpov was working there on very similar I-5 aircraft with metal/fabric fuselage skin.

For 1930 I-6 was one of the World best fighters. But during flight tests pilot A.D.Shirinkin suddenly bailed out from aircraft... I-6 flew for some time unattended, then crashed. Pilot complained that engine vibration forced him to abandon aircraft. But investigation proved that engine cradle was perfectly intact.

Comparison with I-5 revealed that I-6 is faster, but I-5 has better climb rate and 1 sec shorter turn time. I-6 carried two machineguns, I-5 was planned to carry four (later it was done on 10 aircraft only). As a result I-6 was rejected in favor of I-5.

Predecessors		Modifications
DI-1 2I-N1	I-3	I-15 TsKB-3

Links		References
I-6, Polikarpov		"History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.1 p.386-387;

Modified February 3, 1998;

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