Jakowlew I-28

The Yakovlev I‑28 was a Soviet prototype fighter developed in the late 1930s as part of Yakovlev’s effort to replace the ageing I‑16 series. Design work began in 1938 under the direction of Alexander Sergeyevich Yakovlev, who sought a more powerful, all‑metal aircraft with improved speed and maneuverability. The I‑28 featured a low‑wing monoplane layout, retractable landing gear, and a streamlined fuselage constructed from duralumin. Power was supplied by a Klimov M-105 V‑12 engine delivering roughly 1,050 horsepower, driving a two‑bladed propeller. Armament consisted of two 20 mm ShVAK cannon mounted in the nose and provision for up to 200 kg of external bombs. Flight testing commenced in early 1940, revealing excellent climb performance and handling, but the design suffered from stability problems at high speed and an unreliable throttle response. By mid‑1941 the prototype was abandoned in favor of the more promising Yak‑1, which incorporated many lessons learned from the I‑28 program. Although only a single aircraft was built, the I‑28 contributed crucial data on all‑metal construction and high‑performance powerplants, influencing subsequent Soviet fighter development and cementing Yakovlev’s reputation as a leading aircraft designer.

Yakovlev

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Design & Classification