There was good news for the Spanish historic aircraft scene recently when a rare Polikarpov returned to the skies

After four years on the ground the Fundación Infante de Orleans’ (FIO) Polikarpov I-16 'Mosca' EC-JRK returned to the airshow circuit on February 4, performing at the first event of the year held at Cuatro Vientos. It had made its first flight following extensive overhaul on December 30, 2023.

The FIO acquired the aircraft in 2005 from New Zealand – the distinctive monoplane had been rebuilt using the remains of an example built in 1937 which was recovered in 1992 from Karelia, Russia. From 2008 the aircraft understandably became a star attraction at the monthly Cuatro Vientos airshows. It’s painted in the colours and markings of Spanish Civil War ace José María Bravo, the commanding officer of the Spanish Republican Air Force’s 3 Escuadrilla.