The Polikarpov I-16 is often dismissed by aviation historians because it did not fare well against its more modern adversaries in the Second World War. It was often referred to in the West by the disparaging nickname of Rata, the Russian word for rat! Nikolay Polikarpov's I-16 was nevertheless an outstanding fighter in its day. Among its claims to fame, it was the world's first monoplane fighter with a retractable undercarriage. The aircraft first showed its capabilities in combat during the Spanish Civil War and it was still in front line service when the German armed forces fell on the Soviet Union in 1941. The book deals with Polikarpov's early monoplane fighters which came before the I-16. It includes detailed coverage of every variant of this diminutive fighter, including development aircraft and unbuilt projects. An account is also given of the later designs that evolved from it. Details are given of all surviving examples including the six aircraft which were restored to airworthy condition in Russia in the 1990s. The book is highly illustrated throughout with black and white photographs, many of which will not have been published in the west before, over 60 colour profiles and a number of line drawings. This is the third title in Midland's new Red Star series, further titles are in preparation. Very little to date has been published in English on this important Soviet aeroplane. The book is highly illustrated with black and white photos, line drawings and colour profiles. This title will appeal both to aviation historians and modellers and will be marketed effectively to reach this extensive readership