Here's the second item:
I-195 fighter project
In July 1940, N. N. Polikarpov presented the NCAP with a very promising project for a biplane fighter designated I-195 powered by a 1750 hp M-90 engine. The upper wing was of two-spar wooden construction with plywood covering, with a gull-wing center section. The single-spar lower wing was of mixed structure (partly metal with plywood covering). The fuselage was made of welded chrome tubes, with retractable landing gear. The tail was made of duralumin, lined with fabric.
The aircraft was armed with two 20-mm guns and two ShKAS machine-guns. Provision was made for eight RS-82s and for bombs weighing up to 500 kg, including two bombs of 250 kg. Maximum speed at an estimated altitude of 7,000 meters was 591 km/h, and 510 km/h at sea level.
The Commission considered the project on July 27, 1940. The findings were as follows: "The final decision as to the need for the SC to have such an aircraft will depend on the Air Force's impending clarification of the question." A controversy arose as to whether the airplane could be produced in a maneuverable fighter variant, but when the St. George Commission deliberated, no doubt remained that on the basis of that project a very effective battlefield aircraft could be developed. If the unrealistic M-90 engine could be abandoned, and replaced by the M-82A, and later the M-82FN, it would be possible to get a good plane to hit point targets on the battlefield with dive bombs, small guns, cannon fire and rockets. With its high maneuverability characteristics, the aircraft could successfully achieve raids on extended targets with shallow dive and planning.
Calculations showed that on an airplane using extra armor weighing 250-300 kg with two FAB-250 sling bombs or 6 x RS-132s, the flying characteristics were still good enough for the aircraft on the battlefield. With the M-82A engine, maximum speed could amount to 500-520 km/h in altitude, and 400-420 km/h at sea level. And when using the M-82FN, the figures were respectively 600-630 km/h in altitude and 490-520 km/h in level flying, with the use of a short-running afterburner.
Unfortunately the development of the I-195 was not pushed forward by Air Force specialists or by the chief designer of Polikarpov aircraft.
Calculated performance characteristics:
take-off weight: 3254 kg
engine power: 1750 hp
top speed: 590-600km/h
ceiling: 12,000 m
range:900 km
armament: two 20-mm cannons, 2 x 7.62-mm machine guns, 8 x RS-82s or 500 kg bombs.
I do not speak fluent Russian, and these translations were made with Google's very approximate results combined with my experience of other languages as a teacher and translator. If you see some inconsistencies or mistakes (as there are bound to be) please let me know and I'll correct them. For instance, I removed a couple of bits that I simply could not translate at all.
