The VEF I-16 was a prototype Latvian fighter aircraft designed by Karlis Irbitis (Kārlis Irbītis) and produced by VEF in 1939. The only example built was captured by German forces and tested by the Luftwaffe

Specifications (I-16)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one, pilot
• Length: 7.30 m (23 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 8.23 m (27 ft 0 in)
• Height: 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in)
• Wing area: 11.4 m² (122 ft²)
• Empty: 1,100 kg (2,420 lb)
• Loaded: 1,550 kg (3,410 lb)
• Maximum takeoff: kg ( lb)
• Powerplant: 1x Walter Sagitta I-SR, 343 kW (460 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 483 km/h (301 mph)
• Range: 805 km (503 miles)
• Service ceiling: 8,100 m (26,568 ft)
• Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
• Wing loading: 136 kg/m² (28 lb/ft²)
• Power/Mass: 0.22 kW/kg (0.13 hp/lb)

Armament

• 2x .303 Browning machine guns

Related content

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Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: VEF I-12 - VEF I-14 - VEF I-15 - VEF I-16 - VEF I-17 - VEF I-19