Polikarpov I-5

Polikarpov I-5

Development and Design Origins (1928–1931)

The I-5 was born from the Soviet Union’s 1928 Five-Year Plan, which demanded a new indigenous fighter to replace foreign types.

Designed by Nikolai Polikarpov, the aircraft featured mixed construction

a steel tube fuselage with duralumin and fabric skin.

First flight

29 April 1930.

Three prototypes were built to refine aerodynamics and systems.

Powered by the M-22 radial engine (a licensed Bristol Jupiter), it had a wide upper wingspan and fixed landing gear.

Production and Frontline Service (1931–1936)

Entered service in 1931 with the Soviet Air Force (VVS) and Naval Aviation.

A total of 803 units were built between 1931 and 1934.

Armament

two 7.62 mm PV-1 machine guns.

Served as the USSR’s primary fighter until replaced by the faster, more modern I-16 monoplane.

Known for its manoeuvrability and ruggedness, it was a transitional design bridging wood-and-fabric biplanes and all-metal monoplanes.

Training and Secondary Roles (1936–1941)

After retirement from frontline duties, the I-5 became a standard advanced trainer.

Used extensively in flight schools and reserve units.

Its forgiving flight characteristics made it ideal for pilot instruction.

World War II Emergency Use (1941–1942)

Following massive aircraft losses during Operation Barbarossa, surviving I-5s were reactivated.

Modified for ground-attack roles

 Equipped with up to four machine guns.

 Fitted with bomb racks for night harassment missions.

Operated by ad hoc units and militia pilots in 1941–42.

Withdrawn as modern aircraft like the Il-2 became available.

Legacy

The I-5 marked a turning point in Soviet fighter design, transitioning from wood to metal construction.

Though obsolete by WWII, its emergency use underscored Soviet adaptability.

It remains a symbol of early Soviet aviation and Polikarpov’s foundational role in fighter development.