Polikarpov I-185

[cardboard_killer]

[80 years ago today] • The Polikarpov I-185 has its maiden flight. Pre-production prototypes will be assigned to the 728th Fighter Aviation Regiment following Barbarossa, where it is found that the I-185 is faster and more maneuverable than the Bf-109F up to 20,000 feet. Captain Vasilyaka of that unit will report: “The I-185 outclasses both Soviet and foreign aircraft in level speed. It performs aerobatic maneuvers easily, rapidly and vigorously. The I-185 is the best current fighter from the point of control simplicity, speed, maneuverability (especially in climb), armament and survivability.”

 

 

Polikarpov I-185. Due to the German invasion, it will be decided to not disrupt production of Yak and LaGG fighters by having factories retool, in part as the I-185 requires more duralumin, which is in short supply. The drawings will be passed to the Yakovlev and Lavochkin design bureaus where they will prove very useful in improving the La-5 and later Yak fighters.

[No105_Swoose]

Famed Soviet Aviator and record setter Valery Chkalov died testing a Polikarpov I-180, a predecessor of the I-185, in 1938.  This led to Stalin's growing dissatisfaction with Polikarpov and Polikarpov's diminishing role in Soviet fighter design.  I think that played a role in the decision not to put the I-185 into series production.