Tupolev I-14

The Tupolev I‑14, designated ANT‑31 during its development, was a pioneering Soviet fighter prototype that emerged in the mid‑1930s. Although the original design work was carried out at the Tupolev design bureau in Moscow, series construction was assigned to the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO), marking one of the first major projects undertaken by the Siberian plant. The aircraft made its maiden flight in June 1934 and featured an all‑metal stressed‑skin airframe, a low‑wing cantilever layout, and fully retractable landing gear – innovations that were uncommon in Soviet fighters of the era. Powered by a 750 hp Shvetsov M‑25 radial engine, the I‑14 achieved a top speed of about 470 km/h and a service ceiling near 10 000 m, while its armament typically comprised two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns. Although limited production numbers and rapid advances in fighter design led to its cancellation in favour of more powerful aircraft, the I‑14 demonstrated the viability of modern monoplane construction and advanced aerodynamics for Soviet aviation. Its development accelerated NAPO’s technical capabilities, laying groundwork for later wartime platforms such as the Yak‑1 and La‑5, and cemented the plant’s reputation as a key contributor to the USSR’s aeronautical industry.

Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification