Polikarpov I-17

The Polikarpov I-17 was a Soviet single-seat fighter prototype designed and built by a team headed by Nikolai Polikarpov at the Central Design Bureau (TsKB) in 1934.

Polikarpov I-17
Role	Single-seat fighter
National origin	Soviet Union
Manufacturer	Polikarpov
First flight	1 September 1934
Number built	3

Development

The I-17 was a lightweight single-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane. Developed under the design bureau designation TsKB-15 it first flew on 1 September 1934 powered by a 567 kW (760 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12 Ybrs engine. The second prototype designated the TsKB-19 had a revised inward retracting wide-track main landing gear and a Soviet M-100 engine. This second prototype was displayed at the 1936 Salon de l'Aeronautique in Paris. The third prototype designated the TsKB-33 had reduced armament to save weight and a revised engine cooling system, but the further development was abandoned in 1936.

A number of related unbuilt projects were also under development including the I-17Z parasite fighter under the designations TsKB-25 with a M-34RNF engine and the TsKB-43 with a Hispano-Suiza engine, none were built.

Variants

TsKB-15

First prototype I-17 powered by a 567 kW (760 hp) Hispano-Suiza 12 Ybrs engine.

TsKB-19

Second revised I-17 prototype powered by a M-100 engine.

TsKB-25

Unbuilt I-17Z project for a Mikulin AM-34RNF powered parasite fighter.

TsKB-33

Third revised I-17 prototype with reduced armament.

TsKB-43

Unbuilt project with a Hispano-Suiza engine.

Surviving aircraft

One I-17 prototype is on display at the V. P. Chkalov Memorial Museum in Chkalovsk, Russia.

Specifications (TsKB-19)

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 (pilot)
• Length: 7.30 m (23 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 10.19 m (33 ft 5 in)
• Height: 2.56 m (8 ft 5 in)
• Gross weight: 1,930 kg (4,250 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Klimov M-100 engine , 632 kW (860 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 490 km/h (305 mph, 265 kn)
• Range: 800 km (497 mi, 432 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,090 ft)

Armament

• 1 x 20mm ShVAK cannon
• 4 x 7.62mm ShKAS machine guns
• 2 x 100kg bombs under the wings

References

• Angelucci, Enzo (1980). The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. Rand McNally Publishing. p. 183.
• Gunston, Bill (1995). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875-1995. London: Osprey. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.

External links

• I-17 article