Almost 70 years have passed since the Great Patriotic War, and the memories to this day do not let the people of Russia. In wartime, Soviet fighters were the main weapon against the enemy. Most often, I-16 fighters soared in the sky, which was called a donkey among themselves. At the beginning of the war in the west of the country, this aircraft model was more than 40 percent. For a while it was the best aircraft of World War II. The famous aircraft designer Polikarpov developed the fighters, providing for the cleaning of the landing gear.
It was the first aircraft in the world with retractable landing gear. Most of the body of the I-16 is made of duralumin, a very light material. Every year, the model of this fighter was improved, the hull was strengthened, a more powerful engine was installed, and the steering was changed. In the aircraft, the fuselage consisted entirely of wood, iron beams and sheathed with duralumin plates.
The main enemy of the Soviet WWII I-16 fighter was the Messerschmitt Bf 109. It was made entirely of steel, the landing gear was retracted, a powerful engine - the Fuhrer's iron bird - the best aircraft of the Second World War of the German troops.
The developers of the Soviet and German fighter models triedto develop high speed and active takeoff in the aircraft, but paid little attention to maneuverability and stability, so many pilots died, losing control.
Soviet aircraft designer Polikarpov worked to reduce the size of the aircraft and lighten its weight. The car turned out to be shortened and rounded in front. Polikarpov was sure that with a smaller mass of the aircraft, its maneuverability would improve. The length of the wing did not change, before there were no flaps and shields. The cockpit was small, the pilot had poor visibility, it was inconvenient to aim, and ammunition consumption increased. Of course, such a fighter could no longer win the title of "Best Aircraft of World War II".
German aircraft designers were the first to use a liquid-cooled engine in the production of a winged machine, due to which it retained good maneuverability and speed. The front of the aircraft remained elongated and well streamlined. It was the best aircraft of the Second World War from Germany. However, the motor is more vulnerable than before in previous versions.
Of course, the German fighters of World War II with powerful engines and aerodynamic shape surpassed their Soviet counterparts in speed, accuracy and flight altitude. The features of the German aircraft gave an additional trump card in the hands of the enemy, the pilots could attack not only in the forehead or behind, but also from above, and then again rise into the clouds, hiding from the Sovietpilots. The I-16 pilots had to defend themselves exclusively, there was no question of an active attack - too unequal forces.
Another advantage of German technology was communication. All aircraft were equipped with radio stations, which allowed the pilots to agree on the tactics of attacking Soviet fighters and warn of danger. Radio stations were installed in some domestic models, but it was almost impossible to use them due to poor signal and low quality equipment. But nevertheless, for our patriotic pilots, the I-16 was the best aircraft of World War II.
