Polikarpov Fighters (Pic heavy)

[Nightwitch]

Here is the I-15bis at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, VA:
























I-153





























































I-16:


































































I apologize for my poor camera skills, but I hope these pics give you some impression of the beauty of 1930s Soviet fighter aircraft. I'm in love with the I-16, it's so wonderful in person.

[Micdrow]

Great pictures there Night Witch. Many thanks!!!!

[BombTaxi]

Great pics! I presume from the labelled instrument panels and modern looking seatbelts that these a/c are still flyable?

And do you have any info about the Spitfire in the background of the I-15bis shots? I have never seen a code like that before

[Nightwitch]

These are, as far as I know, still flyable airplanes. Nearly every AC at the Military Aviation Museum is flyable. However, I don't think they get a lot of stick time since being brought in from New Zealand.

As to the Spitfire, I don't know anything about it, other that it is a MkIXe. I didn't intentionally take any pics of it. Sorry.

[GrauGeist]

Great detail shots, Nightwitch!

Thanks for posting them!

[BombTaxi]

Originally Posted by Nightwitch

These are, as far as I know, still flyable airplanes. Nearly every AC at the Military Aviation Museum is flyable. However, I don't think they get a lot of stick time since being brought in from New Zealand.

As to the Spitfire, I don't know anything about it, other that it is a MkIXe. I didn't intentionally take any pics of it. Sorry.

Thanks for the info. They are excellent shots in any case

[Nightwitch]

Originally Posted by BombTaxi

Thanks for the info. They are excellent shots in any case

Thanks. I was actually so focused on the Polikarpovs that I didn't even see that blue and yellow glider until I saw it in some of the photos today. I saw the placard right next to the I-16 for the glider and was like "Oh I guess they moved it." I didn't even think to look directly above me, and every time I glanced in its direction my gaze was riveted to the I-16.

[FLYBOYJ]

Great Photos! It looks like they are original airframes restored of course, I heard about these aircraft but never knew they were all brought to the US. I think an I-16 was at Camarillo (Eric could shed some light on that) I'm wonder if that was the same one.

The glider is a TG-3 I think.

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Great shots Night Witch. Isn't the museum on Princess Anne Road. I use to work at Colonial Chevrolet not far from there. Thanks for posting.

[Nightwitch]

Originally Posted by Aaron Brooks Wolters

Great shots Night Witch. Isn't the museum on Princess Anne Road. I use to work at Colonial Chevrolet not far from there. Thanks for posting.

Yeah, 1341 Princess Anne Road. It's kind of tucked away off the road, but it has a nice paved drive, pretty easy to find once you get out there.

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Now that I think about it, I believe I looked at it the other night on Google Earth. Small grass field with several large hangers on sight. Next time I'm out there visiting friends I think I'll go out and have a look if they will let me.

[Venganza]

Great pictures, Nightwitch! I've seen that I-153 in person, at the Wings Over Houston Airshow several years ago. Amazing - never thought I'd see one in person, much less flying. I also saw a Rata, although it wasn't painted like the one here. That I-15bis is great - I'd love to see that - I didn't know there was one in the U.S. By the way, from where I'm sitting now, I can see an old model of mine, an I-153 done in winter camouflage. I may have to get another one to do in that wonderful green over silver scheme though. I also have a Rata coming in the mail, probably this week, that I'll probably do in a winter scheme also. That'll go with my I-153, my Li-2 and my 3 Shturmoviki all done in various winter schemes. As you may have guessed from this and previous posts, I'm a bit of a GPW fanatic (actually pretty much all Soviet planes from the '20's to the present).

Venganza

[Nightwitch]

Originally Posted by Venganza

Great pictures, Nightwitch! I've seen that I-153 in person, at the Wings Over Houston Airshow several years ago. Amazing - never thought I'd see one in person, much less flying. I also saw a Rata, although it wasn't painted like the one here. That I-15bis is great - I'd love to see that - I didn't know there was one in the U.S. By the way, from where I'm sitting now, I can see an old model of mine, an I-153 done in winter camouflage. I may have to get another one to do in that wonderful green over silver scheme though. I also have a Rata coming in the mail, probably this week, that I'll probably do in a winter scheme also. That'll go with my I-153, my Li-2 and my 3 Shturmoviki all done in various winter schemes. As you may have guessed from this and previous posts, I'm a bit of a GPW fanatic (actually pretty much all Soviet planes from the '20's to the present).

Venganza

Hey, that's fantastic! I tried modeling as a kid but I wasn't patient enough for it really. I might try it again, but I have a feeling I'll just end up gluing my fingers together. Still, I'd love to do a Pe-3bis, maybe as a night fighter, as there's a kit that does that. Plus, the Yak-1b in Lily Litvyak's colors is also a nice choice. I'd love an I-16, maybe Pokryshkin's MiG-3, there's just too many to choose from. Nice to see another big fan of the Soviet stuff.

This museum is running on airshow in May call Warbirds over the Beach. They may (or may not) have the Russian fighters flying for that. They also have a MiG-3 coming in the mail, as I understand it. So I'll definitely drop back by to see their MiG-3.

[Gnomey]

Excellent pics, thanks for sharing.

[Geedee]

Thats a great set of shots there !. Love the internal shots.

I've attached a shot of one these querky looking little planes taken here at Flying Legends at Duxford...didn't get any decent flying shots (more's the pity !)... for comparison on markings and general paint.