Story

In 1944, Polikarpov introduced the I-990, a lightweight fighter designed for extreme speed, agility, and firepower.

Featuring a sleek design reminiscent of the La-7, it was built with speed in mind, making it one of the fastest aircraft of its era. The I-990 was equipped with five 20mm ShVAK autocannons mounted in the nose, delivering devastating firepower and exceptional accuracy in close-range dogfights. Its lightweight aluminum alloy frame made it highly maneuverable, though it was vulnerable to heavy enemy fire.

Despite its promising performance, the I-990 project was canceled as the Soviet Union shifted focus to jet aircraft by 1945. Nevertheless, it remains a legendary "fire horse" among test pilots and aviation historians.