I-16 Very close view - Flying Warbird!

[Sven]

Originally Posted by jermin

Have been wondering whether this tiny bird could really give early German fighters a hard time in WWII as portrayed in IL2.

To be honest, not really. The BF-109 has all the advantages except horizontal maneuverability. The Rata was very nimble and hard to hit I could imagine, but it contributed little to halt the German Blitz, it was essential for them to shoot down the German bombers, but they couldn't, not enough of them at least. Large numbers were destroyed on the ground by the bombers and in the air by the 109/110 escorts. The Rata being very advanced when it was introduced, was obsolete by summer 1941. Lacking in speed and armament ( 4x ShKAS main type I-16 ) it was no serious threat for the German fighter pilot, if he stuck to his flying envelop.