Alekseyev I-215

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Alekseyev I-215 was a development of the I-211 prototype, modestly redesigned to incorporate the more powerful centrifugal-flow Rolls-Royce Derwent in place of the Lyulka TR-1 axial turbojet originally planned.

Largely identical to the I-211 with the exception of its redesigned engine nacelles and some associated wing structure, the I-215 made its first flight on 31 December 1947. Fatigue cracking in the structure of the wing centre section early in the test programme necessitated a strengthening scheme which also resulted in a change to the undercarriage layout. The first aircraft had its main wheels in wing wells; the second prototype (first flown in spring 1948 designated I-215D, the 'D' signifying dubler - 'double') used wider-diameter paired wheels in a bicycle arrangement, retracting into the fuselage, along with small outrigger wheels under the engine nacelles which retracted into fairings. Following testing, the Ministry of the Aviation Industry recommended that the I-215D enter series production.

A tandem two-seat version of this design, with a larger wing and more powerful Rolls-Royce Nene turbojets, was developed as a night fighter under the designation I-212. During preparations for flight testing of this design, Joseph Stalin ordered the disbanding of the Alekseyev OKB, ending work on the I-212 and -215. It has been suggested that a comment about the I-212 being a copy of the Messerschmitt Me-262, made by Aleksandr Yakovlev during a meeting at the Kremlin, may have influenced this decision.