ITP (M-1 and M-2), N.N.Polikarpov

24k b/w ITP (M-1) from "Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War", Vol.1
Courtesy of

During the Great Patriotic War N.N.Polikarpov made an effort to design a fighter with performance even with best contemporary machines, but with superior firepower. He chose liquid-cooling engines of new design from both V.Ya.Klimov and A.A.Mikulin, promising high power output.

Airframe of the ITP was similar to I-185. Wooden monocoque fuselage made of multi-layer birch ply was combined with duralumin wing (main spar had steel shelves), controls - with fabric cover. Oil cooler located in 'chin' position. Water cooler - in the wing, with intakes on the leading edge. Heavy Sh-37 cannon fired through the propeller hub, pair of synchronized ShVAK cannons were also housed under the engine cowling.

Jean Alexander notices 'strange reminiscence' between the ITP and Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1/MiG-3. Actually this is not a surprise, because both designs are rooted in the N.N.Polikarpov 'Kh' (Cyrillic 'X') project of high-altitude interceptor.

Two more ITP (M-1): 24k b/w from "Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War" by Yefim Gordon and Dmitri Khazanov, Vol.1 p.117 and 26k "Russian Civil and Military aircraft 1884~1969" by Heinz J.Nowarra and G.R.Duval, p.315
Last one may be found also at "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.2 p.187

First variant (M-1) was assembled in October 1941 and was flown first time on February 23, 1942. In 1942 VK-107P engine was replaced with VK-107A.

Performance was promising, but toothing problems of both engines forced N.N.Polikarpov to abandon VK-107P/A and build another variant with different engine and armament.

32k b/w ITP (M-2) from "Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War" by Yefim Gordon and Dmitri Khazanov, Vol.1 Courtesy of . This photo also may be found at "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.2 p.187

A.A.Mikulin AM-37 and AM-39A engines were fitted on the M-2 variant. Those engines had no provision for the hub-mounted guns, and weapon was reduced to three synchronized ShVAK cannons.

35k b/w ITP (M-2) from "Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War" by Yefim Gordon and Dmitri Khazanov, Vol.1
Courtesy of .

Aircraft was built in late 1942, but flew first time only on November 23, 1943. Factory trials continued until June 1944. Abandoned after N.N.Polikarpov death, because A.S.Yakovlev had already adapted the Yak-9 to carry the 37mm cannon.

Predecessors		Modifications
I-185	'Kh' (Cyrillic 'X') project	None

---

Created January 25, 1996 Modified May 2, 2000

Back to Main Gate