Hurricane V LA-7 (for MorgothNL)

[Panzergranate]

Six I-16s and three I-153s have been recovered and retrned to flying condition in New Zealand.

Two of the I-16s are being used in air races. One of the I-153s is used for aerobatic displays by the US Commerative Airforce, two I-153s are used in airshows around New Zealand and I'm not sure about the other I-16s though one is used in airshows around Europe and Russia.

The Martin-Baker company, more famous now for ejector seats than its aircraft work, such as the prototype that went on to become the P-51, the MB-3, are building an exact flying replica of their MB-5 "Rapier" prototype contrarotating prop fighter that would have been the fastest fighter of WW2, if it had seen service with a top speed of 540 MPH (ye sit was faster than the Me-262). The MB-5 was intended to be a jet killer and was powered by the 2,500 HP Napier-Sabre H-Block engine.

First flown in 1944, the war ended and so it bever saw production.

Martin-Baker are building the aircraft for use as in air racrer in the 2010 annual Reno Air Races. The original MB-5 test aircraft is on display on a plinth in Reno somewhere.

It would have been nice to have had the MB-5 in IL-2 1946 on the PC.