The I-153 was the final biplane development of the Polikarpov I-5 of
1930. Experience in the Spanish Civil War indicated to the Soviet
Air Force that the maneuverability of the biplane was an important factor in
fighter development, even though almost all other countries had accepted
the monoplane design.
The I-153 first flew in 1939 and was produced
in quantity until late 1940 making it the last production front-line
biplane fighter.
The I-153 was known as the Chaika
(Seagull).
