I-153s in Chinese service

Updated on January 26, 2016

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Between 1250 planes supplied by Soviets to the Chinese army of Chang Chai-Shek between 1937 and early 1941,93 were I-153s.

These fighters were distributed into three groups located to large cities for air defence; they fought again Japanese fighters as Ki-27, without much subcess also due to the inadequate training of their crews.

 

These surprising color photos show 3 planes of the same unit: n. p-7250 (?), 7258, 7254. Their livery seems as the Soviet one of 1940, AII green and AII light blue. National insignas are under the lower wings, but not over the upper wings. The white-blue rudders and the white codes on the fin are clearly visible. (from http://deruluft.livejournal.com/19805.html)

A noteworhy characteristic of these planes is that they don't wear the frontal shutter, leaving the engine visible to increase its cooling.

As a further measure, the cowling were modified in their upper part: the rings around the barrel's muzzles were removed leaving a venting hole around them, and there is a wide cut on each rear panel. These cuts let probably see the exhaust pipes and the gun barrels. The cuts for the second exhaust pipes are much smaller than usual, and probably the pipes themselves are modified. All the other exhaust pipes and cuts seem as standard from factory.

Of course, these modifications were made on the field, while the planes were likely delivered with standard cowlings. The drawing above tries to show the modified planes.

 

 

Another interesting color photo seems to show anI-153 with standard cowling (but tithout the shutter disk). All the plane looks painted in solid olive drab, with national marks on the lower wing undersurfaces.

 

A poor photo of a Chinese plane shows shutters as for factory standard, and underwing auxiliary tanks. This plane should be of the 27th Sq. The rudder is still in uniform green.

Another (or perhaps the same) plane. A code is partially visible on the fuselage, it could be 270, perhaps part of P- 7270. Drop fuel tanks are visible under the wings.

(from http://aviadejavu.ru/Site/Crafts/Craft19936-3.htm#pics)