Polikarpov I-180

The Polikarpov I‑180 was a Soviet prototype fighter developed in the late 1930s as a successor to the successful I‑16. Designed by Nikolai Polikarpov’s bureau, the aircraft first flew on 30 April 1939, piloted by test ace Valery Chkalov’s assistant, but suffered a fatal crash that ended its development. Built around a high‑wing monoplane layout, the I‑180 featured an all‑metal stressed‑skin fuselage, a retractable undercarriage and a powerful 850 hp Klimov M-105 V‑12 engine driving a three‑bladed variable‑pitch propeller. Its armament comprised two 20 mm ShVAK cannons and two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, delivering a heavy punch for its class. The fighter incorporated slatted leading edges and a semi‑elliptical wing that promised improved lift and maneuverability at high speeds, while its streamlined nose reduced drag. Although only a handful of prototypes were built, the I‑180 demonstrated advanced aerodynamic concepts and foreshadowed later Soviet fighters such as the Yak‑9 and La‑5. Its brief but turbulent history highlighted the challenges of rapid aircraft development on the eve of World War II and cemented Polikarpov’s reputation as a pioneering designer. The I‑180’s experimental data informed the Soviet shift toward more powerful radial engines and contributed to post‑war jet development concepts.

Nikolai Polikarpov

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Design & Classification