After the war the newborn Air Force used 180 units of the I-15, which about 70 were captured during the conflict, 44 were recovered from various airfields or were returned by France, and 66 were completed between 1939 and 1941, which were in various stages of production in the workshops of the Republic. The I-15 formed in groups 32 and 33 from Alicante and 34 and 35 of Valladolid, and I-15 bis in Group 24 of Reus.Some specimens extended their operating life until 1955.
"Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts"
Sir Winston Churchill
"To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today"
Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London
Although direct Soviet involvement in the Spanish Civil War was over by the end of 1938 Stalin approved the delivery of three batches of I-152s in response to a request for assistance from the Commander-in-Chief of the Republican Air Force. Of these 93 aircraft one batch of 31 reached Spain, and in January 1939 was formed into three squadrons of nine aircraft. Sadly these aircraft arrived too late to have any impact on the fighting. They weren't involved I any clashes with Nationalist aircraft, and suffered no combat losses. Two were lost in accidents and the remaining 29 escaped to France. Twenty of these aircraft were later returned to Spain, where they remained in front line use until the mid 1940s, and were used for secondary duties until 1954.
The Polikarpov R-Z Natacha was the last menber of the R-5 family; this version has its fire baptism during the border conflicts between China and Japan in 1939, fighting also with the republicans during the Spanish Civil War; the Republic received a total amount of 113 units since 1937, characterizing for its good performance and its availability. Around 36 machines were captured after the war, being incorporated to the newborn "Ejercito del Aire" and destinated to Nador, in Morocco, wearing the code 17W.
All the Katiuskas captured to the republicans joined the "Ejercito del Aire". Nationalist Spanish Air Force captured 19 SB-2M-100A bombers. All were overhauled and Soviet M-100 engines were replaced with French Hispano Suiza 12Ybrs. These aircraft were used operationally and later for training duties, and were retired in 1950
"Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts"
Sir Winston Churchill
"To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today"
Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London
After the Franco's victory in 1939, 22 captured "donkeys" were assigned to Grupo 28 at an air station in Mayorca and later had their number increased to 52. The I-16's had designations from 1W-1 up to 1W-52. The first 22 captured I-16's, that arrived acted as group 1W, then the designation of group changed to Grupo 28 de Caza. The group was based at air station, San-Juan on the island of Majorca. All the I-16's had, by the autumn of 1940, been transferred to Sevilla where they joined Grupo 26 (22-nd mixed fighter group, 22 Regimiento Mixto de Caza, also flying "Fiats"). In 1945 the Spanish Air Force started on new system of designation. "Rata" then received an index C.8. The colour scheme was changed, a light blue bottom with lateral surfaces of sand color with green camouflage spots of irregular shape. Recognition symbols of red and yellow cocardes were added to the sides of the fuselage plus both the top and bottom surfaces of the wing. The identification code of "C. 8" with the original '1W' plane number beside it. The code was painted on the tail. At about this time, Grupo 26 was renamed to Grupo 22. In the early 1950's, I-16's were used at a flight school in Morona. The last serviceable I-16, with the code C.8-25, was flown by the most skilled instructors of the school. In August 1953, Spain signed a military assistance contract with the USA, which included delivery of modern fighters. On August 15th 1953, Miguel Entrena, for the last time, lifted into the sky in an I-16. So the career and fighting service of the "Rata" in Spain had finished.
"Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts"
Sir Winston Churchill
"To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today"
Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London
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