Polikarpov ITP

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The Polikarpov ITP (Istrebitel Tyazholiy Pushechniy; Russian: Истребитель Тяжелый Пушечный; Heavy Cannon Fighter) was a Soviet fighter aircraft prototype designed in 1941.

Contents

[edit] Development

In November 1940, Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov proposed a heavy cannon-armed fighter for bomber escort and interception, and ground attack against armored vehicles. The new ITP was designed around the Mikulin M-107P engine with projected 1,230 kW (1,650 hp), and armament consisting of 1x 37 mm and 2x 20 mm cannons. The aircraft drew on Polikarpov's earlier work, particularly Polikarpov I-200 (completed by Mikoyan-Gurevich as MiG-1 and MiG-3) and Polikarpov I-185.

The first ITP prototype (M-1) was completed in October 1941. Due to German attacks, the aircraft was evacuated that month along with the rest Polikarpov's No.51 factory to Novosibirsk, where the factory was deployed in a circus building. ITP M-1 first flew on February 23, 1942. The engine proved unreliable and in late 1942 it was changed to M-107PA, with the armament was reduced to three 20 mm cannons. Flight testing was not finished because the airframe was used for ground static testing.

The second ITP prototype (M-2) was built in 1942 and fitted with Mikulin AM-37 engine which was replaced with 1,345 kW (1,800 hp) Mikulin AM-39 in December. It first flew on November 23, 1943, reaching a maximum speed of 600 km/h (373 mph) near the ground and 655 km/h (407 mph) at 2,500 m (8,200 ft). This was below the projected performance as the engine had not been fully perfected.

Early trials demonstrated that a skilled pilot in ITP M-1 had a better chance of destroying German light and medium armor than the legendary Ilyushin Il-2. Unfortunately, problems with M-107 and AM-39 engines resulted in very protracted development and all work on ITP was stopped after Polikarpov's death in July 1944.

[edit] Specifications (ITP M-2)

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Length: 9.20 m (30 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.0 m (32 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
  • Wing area: 16.50 m² (177.5 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 2,910 kg (6,400 lb)
  • Loaded weight: 3,570 kg (7,854 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1× Mikulin AM-39 liquid-cooled V-12, 1,345 kW (1,800 hp)

Performance

Armament

  • 3x 20 mm ShVAK cannons, 200 rounds/gun
  • 4x 100 kg (220 lb) bombs or 8x RS-82 unguided rockets

[edit] References

[edit] External links

[edit] Related content

Related development

Comparable aircraft

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