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by Massimo Tessitori |
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A third prototype, TsKB-19bis or I-17 bis, was built in late
1936.
it was nearly identical to the second prototype, differing for its rear-sliding canopy separated from the windshield, and for being armed with a 20 mm ShVAK gun firing from the propeller axis and two 7,62 ShKAS machine guns on wings. It was 7.42m long, with 10.00 m span On November 12, 1936, test pilot K.K. Popov made the maiden flight. V.A. Stepanchonok and P.M. Stefanovskiy joined the test program later. The unloaded weight was 1465 kg, while the gross weight was 1917 kg. |
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The aircraft was later modified, removing and replacing part of the
undercarriage doors.
At some point, a new radiator was added in an asymmetrical position under the nose. In this configuration, flight characteristics were not measured, as the objective was to test the airplane's systems and weapons. Pilots mentioned good visibility and aiming, and that the cannon worked well. The aircraft looks painted red, probably with black repainted engine cowling. The net weight increased to 1533 kg, while the gross weight increased to 2020 kg. |
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