Quote:
Originally Posted by Furio
A. S. Nikolay Gerasimovich, was the I-16 a great deal less capable than the Messerschmitt?
N. G. All the basic types of I-16, the type-10, -17, and –21, were less capable in their technical and tactical characteristics than the Bf-109E, but not by much. Of course, the older types, the -4 and -5, were not comparable.
The I-16 types -28 and -29 were superior to the Bf-109E. They were capable of the same speed and in maneuverability, in the vertical plane, the Ishak surpassed the E model.
A. S. This is strange. In any reference book you look at it says that the speed of the I-16 types -28 and -29 at 3,000 meters altitude is on the order of 440—460 kmh, and of the Bf-109E--570 kmh. And you say they are the same? And that the I-16 was superior in vertical maneuver? This is news.
N. G. It was the rare pilot who sought to fly at maximum speed in maneuver combat and even rarer was the pilot who achieved it.
In principle, the I-16 could easily and quickly attain a speed of 500 kmh. The E model was quicker, but not by much. In combat there was no practical difference in their speed. The dynamic of achieving top speed of the I-16 was explosive, especially with the M-63 engine. This was its second unique quality, after horizontal maneuverability. It could out-accelerate all other then-existing Soviet-produced fighters, even the new types. The Yak-1 was the closest to it in this capability, but even it fell somewhat behind.
The “Messer” could dive well and get away. The I-16, with its rather large nose, could not develop 530 kmh in a dive. But it must be said that in combat, if we had to disengage, them from us or we from them, we always managed to do so.
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I have read another russian saying the top speed non importanat once you enter the dogfight.
What happens if the Germans do not enter the dogfight, but BnZ, as they really did, too
))? He wrote a whole theory about the combat top speed which could be reached in a short time, and aircraft top speed which takes too long to reach to be of any interest in a dogfight. Having in mind what I just said, couldnt keep myself from laughing ..
I read this interwiev carefully, Furio. Mr Golodnikov almost didn't fly the I16 in combat; transfered to Hurries and later to P40. I read some years ago an autobiographical book of Arsenii Vorozheikin, who started flying the Ishak in the Mongolian conflict, and finished it in 1943 - his unit was the last one to give them over. The book describes very vividly the desperate measures - defensive circles like used by 110s in BoB - to save their bare lives from the Friedrichs.... and Golodnikov says ..'The type-28 and -29 were arguably equal to the Bf-109F, perhaps a little bit behind. '
)))) .. and he heard it from his friends..
I understand your ordeal, Furio
Not having read (more than) enough of all this, you don't know whom and what to beleive
))