ARR captured I-16's

[i16stealth]

I'm interested in any info about I-16 number 1 used in ARR as a trainer (the capturing, the period it was used, e.t.c) and other I-16's captured by romanians. If you have something to say, please note.

[Victor]

The aircraft was captured on 13 July 1941 at Dorohoi. It received Romanian markings from the 19th Observation Squadron and was flown in simulated dogfights by lt. av. Gheorghe Popescu Ciocanel, a pilot of that unit (he later became a fighter pilot and until his death scored 14 victories). He even asked for permission to fly escort mission for his squadron mates, but because the risk of being taken for a VVS fighter by the German pilots was big (the 19th Observation Squadron was assigned to the Cavalry Corps which in 1941 went as far as north of the Azov Sea) he was refused. The airplane was eventually lost in an accident in Iasi in September 1941 by lt. Ivanciovici.

[i16stealth]

Thanks for your answer! Were there any other I-16's in ARR?

[Victor]

During the 1941 campaign 3 I-16s were captured at Ismail, 4 I-16s at Feodosiya, 1 at Dorohoi (the one mentioned above) and another 8 on Bessarabian roads.

[i16stealth]

QUOTE

During the 1941 campaign 3 I-16s were captured at Ismail, 4 I-16s at Feodosiya, 1 at Dorohoi (the one mentioned above) and another 8 on Bessarabian roads.

And what was the destiny of this I-16's?