The Ischak of the skies: Polikarpov I-16 available for DCS World!

With the Polikarpov I-16, the OctopusG development team has released a Soviet jadg aircraft from the Second World War for DCS World. Due to its unique construction, the I-16 had numerous nicknames. While the Soviet air forces called it “Ischak” (donkey), the Spanish fascists called it “rat”. In Japan it was known under the name Abu (horse brake). For which name you decide: The Warbird is available for about 40 US dollars in the shop of Eagle Dynamics.

The product description of the Polikarpov I-16 attracts with an advanced flight model, which should enable an excellent simulation of the flight characteristics. The DCS module also includes a detailed 3D model, an interactive cockpit with six degrees of freedom and a realistic replica of the systems. The retractable landing gear is also realistically simulated. But this should make for a good cranking experience. The I-16 was the first series-produced aircraft with a retractable landing gear. Operation is therefore manual using a hand crank – 44 revolutions are necessary to retract the landing gear.

The Polikarpov I-16 was manufactured by the Soviet Union in large numbers: Between 8,000 and 10,000 machines came off the assembly line, including a two-seater trainer version. The fighter aircraft was also used in Spain, Poland and China. Even Nazi Germany and Finland used captured I-16s. Even today, a few flying specimens are still in the air. In Germany this is the D-EPRN, which is privately owned.