Polikarpov ITP
The Polikarpov ITP (Istrebitel Tyazholiy Pushechniy; Russian: Истребитель Тяжелый Пушечный; Heavy Cannon Fighter) was a Soviet fighter aircraft prototype designed in 1941.
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.
Specifications (ITP M-2)
General characteristics
- Crew: One
Performance
Armament
References
- Kopenhagen, W (ed.) (1987) Das groβe Flugzeug-Typenbuch. Transpress. ISBN 3-344-00162-0
- http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fww2/itp.html
External links
Related content
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era