Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov facts for kids

Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov (Russian: Николай Николаевич Поликарпов; 8 June 1892 – 30 July 1944) was a famous Soviet aircraft designer. He is known for creating many important airplanes, especially fighter planes, during the early 20th century. He also founded his own design bureau, which was a special team that designed aircraft. Polikarpov's planes were very important for the Soviet Union's air force, especially during World War II.

Who Was Nikolai Polikarpov?

Nikolai Polikarpov was a brilliant engineer who loved aviation. He dedicated his life to designing and improving airplanes. His work helped shape the future of flight in the Soviet Union. He was a key figure in developing some of the fastest and most agile fighter planes of his time.

Early Life and Education

Nikolai Polikarpov was born on 8 June 1892, in a small village called Georgiyevsk, near Livny, in the Oryol Governorate of the Russian Empire. His father was a village priest. From a young age, Nikolai showed a strong interest in machines and how things worked.

He studied at the Saint Petersburg State Polytechnical University (now called Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University). He graduated in 1916, right in the middle of World War I. This was a time when aviation was growing very quickly, and many countries needed new and better airplanes.

Starting His Aviation Career

After finishing university, Polikarpov began working at the Russian-Baltic Wagon Factory in Petrograd. This factory was one of the first places in Russia to build airplanes. He quickly became a talented engineer and started working on his own aircraft designs.

In 1918, he moved to the Dux Factory in Moscow, which was another important aircraft manufacturer. Here, he continued to gain experience and develop his skills in designing airplanes.

Polikarpov's Famous Aircraft Designs

Polikarpov designed many different types of aircraft, but he is most famous for his fighter planes. These planes were known for being strong, fast, and easy to fly.

The Polikarpov I-15

One of his most famous designs was the Polikarpov I-15. This was a biplane, meaning it had two main wings stacked one above the other. The I-15 first flew in 1933. It was a very agile fighter plane and was used by the Soviet air force in many conflicts, including the Spanish Civil War. Pilots liked its ability to turn quickly in the air.

I-15 Variants

• I-15bis: An improved version of the I-15 with a stronger engine and better structure.
• I-153 Chaika: This was a later version with retractable landing gear, meaning the wheels could fold up into the plane during flight. This made the plane faster. The I-153 was nicknamed "Chaika," which means "Seagull" in Russian, because of its unique gull-wing design.

The Polikarpov I-16

Perhaps Polikarpov's most important design was the Polikarpov I-16. This plane was a revolutionary design for its time. It was a monoplane, meaning it had only one set of wings, and it was one of the first fighter planes in the world to have retractable landing gear.

The I-16 first flew in 1933, the same year as the I-15. It was much faster than the biplanes of its time. The I-16 was also widely used in the Spanish Civil War and was a very important fighter plane for the Soviet Union at the start of World War II. It showed that monoplanes were the future of fighter aircraft.

I-16 Nicknames

The I-16 was often called "Ishak" (Donkey) by Soviet pilots because it was tough and reliable. Spanish pilots called it "Rata" (Rat) or "Mosca" (Fly) because of its small size and agility.

Polikarpov's Legacy

Nikolai Polikarpov continued to design aircraft until his death on 30 July 1944. He was a pioneer in Soviet aviation. His designs, especially the I-15 and I-16, played a crucial role in the development of fighter aircraft. Many of his ideas and innovations influenced later aircraft designs. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of Soviet aviation.