WesWorld

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[SIZE=4]VEF Irbitis I-19A [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Specifications:[/SIZE]
Length: 30.2 ft
Wingspan: 36.1 ft
Height: 10 ft
Wing area: 240 ft²
Weight:
- Empty: 5,500 lb
- Loaded: 7,250 lb
Crew: 1
Powerplant: 1× Rolls-Royce Merlin VI, 1,280 hp

[SIZE=3]Performance:[/SIZE]
Speed: 375 mph
Rate of climb: 45 ft/s
Ceiling: 31,825 ft
Range: 575 miles with no external load
Remarks: Retractable landing gear, metal airframe with wood/canvas skin.

[SIZE=3]Armament:[/SIZE]
- 6x.5'' guns
- 100 lb external load

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[SIZE=4]VEF Irbitis I-19B [/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Specifications:[/SIZE]
Length: 30.2 ft
Wingspan: 36.1 ft
Height: 10 ft
Wing area: 240 ft²
Weight:
- Empty: 5,750 lb
- Loaded: 7,500 lb
Crew: 1
Powerplant: 1× Rolls-Royce Merlin VII, 1,685 hp

[SIZE=3]Performance:[/SIZE]
Speed: 421 mph
Rate of climb: 52 ft/s
Ceiling: 33,500 ft
Range: 575 miles with no external load
Remarks: Retractable landing gear and tailwheel, all metal construction. All-metal version of I-19A.

[SIZE=3]Armament:[/SIZE]
- 6x.5'' machine guns
- 100 lb external load

I, as the Latvian player, am currently in a dilemma that I'd like to get all of your opinions on. At the current time, VEF is designing the future I-19 fighter, the two varients of which can be seen above. First of all, I'd like to hear any critiques with the designs posted above by the general player audience.

Secondly, I'd like to know your opinions on the most reasonable timelines for these aircraft to be introduced. Preferably, I'd like to introduce the I-19B, by the latest in July 1941. Both of these aircraft will end up being built, if even in only prototype form, but I'd like to know a timeline to introduce them into.

Some proposed timelines are below:

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[size=3]Proposed Timeline A[/size]
October 1938 - Design team for the I-19 is formed (Russian Metal Aircraft design assistance is procured in early 1939)
November 1940 - Prototypes of I-19A are built, used for testing and analyzation
February 1941 - I-19A enters limited pre-production, I-19B enters prototype stage
April 1941 - I-19B enters pre-production
June 1941 - I-19B enters full production

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[size=3]Proposed Timeline B[/size]
October 1938 - Design team for the I-19 is formed (Russian Metal Aircraft design assistance is procured in early 1939)
January 1941 - Prototypes of I-19A are built, used for testing and analyzation
March 1941 - I-19A enters limited pre-production, I-19B enters prototype stage
May 1941 - I-19B enters pre-production
July 1941 - I-19B enters full production

Thanks for helping in advance!

EDIT: HUGE ERROR: All of the 1940's orginally placed have been replaced by 1941; twas a typo.

There doesn't seem much point in the I-19A, you might as well just go for the monocoque metal fuselage from the start since the B would have a totally different rear fuselage structure to make the change from doped fabric to metal covering.

Remember the RR Merlin VII is a 1940 engine, production is likely to be low during the first half of the year and so a more likely production date would be perhaps October-November before sufficent engines could be supplied to fit to the finished airframes. The I-19B prototype could be fitted with the Merlin VI to get it airborne and begin flight tests as its not critical to have the VII in the prototype.

My suggestion is;
October 1938 - Design team for the I-19 is formed (Russian Metal Aircraft design assistance is procured in early 1939)
7 November 1939 - Prototypes of I-19A are built, used for testing and analyzation
March 1940 - I-19A enters limited pre-production
April 1940 - I-19B enters prototype stage
August 1940 - I-19B enters pre-production
November 1940 - I-19B enters full production

As for specs, 41lb/ sq ft wing loading seems a bit high, true some single-seaters have already exceeded this but 30-35lbs would be more fitting with current designs. More wing area seems to be needed.

Sorry, Hood; huge mistake. All of those 1940's were supposed to read 1941....

That makes far more sense.

My only nitpick then is the lack of wing area.

Any farther comments?