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I-212 experimental two-seat interceptor

In the summer of 1948, a prototype of a two-seat interceptor was manufactured, which received the designation I-212. Two RD-45 engines with a thrust of 2230 kg each were installed on the plane, followed by their replacement with new VK-1A engines. The long straight wing had retractable slotted split flaps, which were deflected 20 degrees during take-off and 45 degrees during landing. Two-section ailerons are also made split. Chassis fighter three-rack with a nose wheel. The main twin pneumatics fit into the fuselage of a triangular shape.

Having headed OKB-21, Semyon Mikhailovich Alekseev received the task to design and build a two-seat fighter-interceptor, which has a significant range and duration of flight, powerful weapons, and a search locator. The OKB estimated that with three tons of kerosene in the fuselage tanks, the flight range will reach 2300 km, and with two hanging tanks with a total capacity of 1100 kg, it will increase to 3100 km. These calculations, as well as the results of preliminary blowing of models of a new fighter in a wind tunnel and the results of tests of similar Su-9, Su-11 and I-211 aircraft, formed the basis for the development of the interceptor. In the summer of 1948, its prototype under the designationI-212 was built and handed over for testing. In the long run, it was assumed that with small changes, modifications to light bomber and photo reconnaissance options are possible.

The aircraft was equipped with two RD-45 engines with a thrust of 2230 kg each, followed by replacing them with the VK-1A mastered in production. The long straight wing with an area of 32.8 m2 was equipped with take-off and landing mechanisms. Retractable slotted flaps, deflected by 20¦ during take-off and 45¦ during landing, were divided into six sections to increase their combat survivability and better adaptability. Two-section ailerons are also made split. To prevent the aircraft from being pulled into a dive (at high subsonic speeds), automatically mounted shields were installed on it, located behind the wing along the sides of the fuselage. If necessary, a sharp maneuver in flight or before landing, the pilot opened them manually from the cockpit. The fighter’s chassis is a three-post with a nose wheel.

The main twin pneumatics fit into the fuselage. This also determined its shape - triangular in front view. Small arms consisted of five guns. In the nose of the fuselage, above the Thorium-1 radar, a battery of three guns was placed: one 37 mm caliber with 75 rounds of ammunition and two 23 mm caliber with 200 rounds of ammunition. Two-gun turret gunner radio operator had a 70-degree cone shelling the rear hemisphere and was controlled by a selsyn drive from his workplace. He sat with the pilot, but face back. Both crew members had reliable armor protection. According to calculations, the flight characteristics of the I-212 were quite high. With a normal take-off weight of 9250 kg: the maximum speed at ground level is 1000 km / h, at an altitude of 8 thousand m - 962 km / h, landing speed - 178 km / h, climb time of 5 thousand m - 2.3 minutes, practical ceiling - 15,000 m, take-off run - 675 m, mileage - 565 m.

An experienced fighter-interceptor I-212 to some extent anticipated the creation of aircraft of this class. In 1950-1952 passed state tests of the same-purpose vehicle I-320 designed by A.I. Mikoyan, the aircraft "200" designed by S.A. Lavochkin. The Yak-25 interceptor constructed by A.S.Yakovlev with a more powerful radar station and already swept wing, built according to the same principle scheme, was accepted into serial production in the early fifties. Tests of the I-212 aircraft, begun by the factory chief pilot A.A. Popov, could not be completed. Only taxiing and jogging were done. In the fall of 1948, OKB-21, like some others, was closed. S.A. Alekseev was transferred to another enterprise, where several military and experimental aircraft were created under his leadership and with his participation.

Tests of the experimental two-seater fighter - the I-212 interceptor, begun by the test pilot Alexander Andreevich Popov, could not be completed. In the autumn of 1948, OKB-21 was closed, and the OKB P.O. Sukhoi and V.M. Myasishchev, in which the original machines were created. The entire "fighter theme" at that moment was concentrated in two organizations - MiG and Yak.