Polikarpov I-15 for FS2004/FSX
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Polikarpov's Bureau began work on the TsKB-3 in 1932, when the earlier I-5 was in full production. Unlike the I-5 the new fighter had a small lower wing and large upper gull wing curved down at the roots to meet the fuselage. As the I-15, a highly manoeuvrable fighter, it gained a world altitude record before serving in very large numbers (about 550) in Spain, where it was dubbed Chato (flat-nosed). It even served against the Finns and Luftwaffe, but by 1937 was being replaced by the I-15bis with a continuous upper wing carried on struts.
Rehabilitated in the eyes of the Soviet hierarchy by the success of the I-5, Polikarpov initiated design of a potential successor, which flew in October 1933. Powered by a Wright SGR-1820-F-3 Cyclone nine-cylinder radial rated at 715hp at 2130m, it was of mixed construction and embodied such refinements as I-type interplane struts, the upper wing "gulled" into the fuselage and cantilever mainwheel legs. Exceptional handling and manoeuvrability re-suited in immediate series production as the I-15, with deliveries of the initial model commencing late in 1934. This was powered by a 480hp M-22 engine and carried an armament of two 7.62mm guns. A total of 404 M-22-engined I-15s was delivered before, in 1936, the imported Cyclone engine became available, this being installed in 59 aircraft before the licence-built version of the Cyclone, the M-25 rated at 700hp at 2300m, was delivered for installation in the final 270 I-15s, production being completed in 1937. In the meantime, armament had been doubled to four 7.62mm guns and an armoured (9mm) seat fitted. Popularly known as the Chaika (Gull), an epithet resulting from its "gulled" upper wing, the I-15 fought in Spain to where 155 were delivered, and was licence-built by the Spanish CASA concern which completed 237 M-25-engined examples, a few of these having the M-25V engine affording 775 hp for take-off. Some 40 late-production I-15s were fitted with twin 12.7mm guns rather than the quartet of 7.62mm weapons.
It was a great aircraft for turning dogfights, having an incredible roll rate and a very tight radius of turn. However it couldn't outspeed most enemies, and because of its size was very vulnerable to damage.

Effects
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-On startup there is automatic engine smoke.
-Then follow the exhaust flames with smoke.
-Wing vortex effect appears by default at 2.5g or quick roll rate.
-Nose guns with flash, smoke and falling cartridges can be triggered with the standard Strobe key (O).
It is much nicer however if you put the FS2004/FSX standard Strobe key (O) to the trigger from your joystick. You can change this in the Key menu.
It is a good idea if you replace the standard (L) key for lights by the L+CTRL, (normaly activating the landing lights only). This avoids you having to have all lights on when pulling the trigger.
-Cockpitdoor opens/closes with the normal key.

Installation:
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-Unzip " Polikarpov I-15" into a temporary file and move the "Polikarpov I-15" folder into the main Aircraft directory.
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-Read instructions carefully when installing the gauges , say YES...when asked if the gauges sources should be trusted. If you say no....most of the gauges are not going to work !
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-Leave the instruments_Russ.cab in your panel folder.
-Copy the effects into the Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator X\effects folder.
-Add the 20can.wav in your Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator X\sound folder.
-Sound aliased to Douglas_DC_3.
ATTENTION :
-For FS2004, change the FS9_Wing_Guns.fx into FX_Wing_Guns.fx
-For FSX change the FSX_Wing_Guns.fx into FX_Wing_Guns.fx
-If having trouble with the cockpit transparencies or turningprop in FSX acceleration, copy the glass.bmp and Prop_B.bmp from the Acceleration.texture into the plane's texture folder.
-If the plane is unstable on the ground while flying in FS2004 under Windows XP, replace the aircraft.cfg and I-15.air by the ones included in the FS2004/XPWINDOWS map.
The plane has been tested In fs2004/FSX with vista and in fs2004/FSX demo with windows XP.

FLYING
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This is a very sensitive but nice flyer. It is a small plane with a big engine that has a lot of torque on takeoff. Go slowly with power at first. Be carefull with turning and braking on the ground...the plane could easily dip a wing if exagerating. Much elevator trim is needed during the flight. Close-by aerobatics are a delight and all manoeuvres are possible.


CREDITS
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Special thanks to :
-GMAX for the drawing program and Microsoft for their makmdls.mdk.

LEGAL:
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The project is released as freeware. You may modify it and repaint it. You may upload this file to another website as long as it is not for profit.
You need the written permission of the original authors to use any of these files for commercial purposes, otherwise a simple credit would be nice. Non commercial repaints-remakes are welcome but I would appreciate very much receiving a copy of your model.
This file should not cause any problems with your computer, but I accept no responsibility if you think it does. Remarks and hints are welcome and are being considered.


Happy Landings!

A.F.Scrub
January 2010
Email: af_scrubbypc@hotmail.com