Tupolev I-4 - A One Wing Biplane
Designed by Pavel O Sukhoi when a brigade leader of Andrei N Tupolev's AGOS (
Aviatsiya, Gidroaviatsiya i Opytnoye Stroityelstvo - Aviation, Hydro-aviation and Experimental Construction) collective within the TsAGI (
Tsentralnyi Aero-gidrodinamicheskii Institut -Central Aero and Hydro-dynamic Institute), the ANT-5 was the first Soviet all-metal fighter.
A single-seat sesquiplane powered by a nine-cylinder Gnome-Rhone Jupiter radial of 420hp, the first prototype underwent testing between 10 August and 25 September 1927. A second prototype, or dubler, with a 480hp Gnome-Rhone Jupiter 9ASB, was flown in July 1928, and underwent state testing between 1 December 1928 and 4 April 1929, series production of the type having meanwhile been initiated as the I-4.
The first series I-4 underwent state testing between 15 October and 26 November 1929, subsequent aircraft having the 480hp M-22 engine, a licence-built version of the G-R Jupiter 9ASB, and an armament of twin 7.62mm guns. Second series aircraft had the controllable slats occupying 44.5% of the remaining wing's leading edge, and an engine cowling incorporating cylinder helmets.
Designated I-4bis in this form, the prototype was tested by the NIl VVS, the Air Force's Scientific Research Institute, between 11 and 23 September 1931. No further development of the I-4bis was undertaken. Three I-4s were used for aerial launch and retrieval trials from 31 December 1931 by Vladimir S Vakhmistrov utilising a TB-1 bomber as an Aviamatka, or "mother aircraft". Also in December 1931, one I-4 was tested with a 76mm Kurchevski recoilless cannon mounted beneath each wing half.
A total of 369 I-4s was built to January 1934, these equipping 18
eskadrii at their service peak; the type remaining in first-line service through 1933 and for training tasks until 1937.
The model carries the markings of the
'Krasnyye Strelki' (Red Arrows), the premier aerobatic display team of the Soviet Air Force during the Inter-War period.
Original text from Aviastar,org :-
http://www.aviastar.org/air/russia/ant-5.phpcheers,
Robin.