First-rate Russian Rata

First-rate Russian Rata

Rolf Schönenberger spent 500 hours building this unusual Polikarpov I-16 Rata using all-wood construction. The 1/2.6-scale model weighs in a 79 pounds and is powered by a 400cc Moki five-cylinder radial engine spinning a 38×20 Seidel prop. Although the full-size didn’t have brakes, the model has pneumatic disc brakes (required in Switzerland for 55-pound and over models) and handmade pneumatic landing gear. Thanks to RCScaleAirplanes for taking this video at the recent Warbird Meeting in Oberhausen, Germany.

Updated: May 8, 2018 — 10:47 AM

9 Comments

  1. Beautiful! Love the sound and the realistic flight manuvers especially take-off and landing roll-out. Watch those brakes!

  2. Fantastic airplane and a great video of it’s flight.

  3. EXCELLENT pilot! AWESOME sound and flyimg!!

  4. I saw a real one at EAA Air Venture in WI in the 90’s. I had to look twice to make sure this was a picture of a model or the real thing. Graet job!!!!

  5. Perfect!
    I appreciate people who makes a so professional and admirable job.
    My congratulations.

  6. It is so incedibly obvious that Rolf put his heart into the building of this beautiful aircraft, especially when you consider it was not done with a kit or ARF. My hat is off to you, Sir!
    I wish you many happy landings,
    Roland

  7. Great looking plane – the sound makes it perfect! Wow!

  8. Great model, Brilliant sound and excellently flown for scale effect,

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