This Strange WWII Fighter Jet Was Incredibly Fast – Yet It’s Largely Forgotten

During World War II, many nations experimented with radical aircraft designs in an effort to gain an edge in aerial combat. Among these, the Soviet Union developed one of the most unique and ambitious fighters of the war: the Bereznyak-Isaev BI. It was a rocket-powered interceptor designed to reach incredible speeds, but despite its innovations, it remains largely forgotten today.

In the early years of the war, Soviet engineers sought ways to counter the high-speed bombers and fighters of German forces. The idea of a rocket-powered fighter was not new, but the Soviet Union was determined to make it a reality. The BI project was led by engineers Aleksandr Bereznyak and Aleksei Isaev, working under the aircraft manufacturer OKB-293. Their goal was to create an interceptor capable of reaching speeds far beyond conventional aircraft.

The Russian Rocket: The Rise and Challenges of the BI Aircraft

The BI was a small aircraft, built largely from wood to save weight and resources. It weighed around 3,000 pounds at takeoff and was powered by the D-1-A-1100 rocket engine, developed by Leonid Dushkin. This engine was designed to provide rapid acceleration and steep climbs, allowing the aircraft to engage enemy planes quickly. However, rocket-powered flight presented significant challenges, particularly with fuel consumption. The engine could burn through its entire fuel supply in less than three minutes, meaning the BI had only a brief window to attack before gliding back to base.

On May 15, 1942, test pilot Grigory Bakhchivandzhi took the BI on its first powered flight. The aircraft roared to life, accelerating faster than any Soviet fighter before it. Within moments, it reached speeds that rivaled the fastest aircraft of the era. However, this speed came at a cost. The intense vibrations from the engine caused structural stress, making control difficult. Despite these challenges, initial tests were promising, and the BI was seen as a potential game-changer.

The Soviet military planned to mass-produce the BI and use it as a point-defense interceptor, stationed near key cities and military installations. The strategy was simple: the BI would take off, engage enemy bombers, and then glide back to land. However, the aircraft’s limited flight time and technical difficulties made it difficult to develop into a reliable combat aircraft. Engineers worked tirelessly to refine the design, but progress was slow due to wartime shortages and the overwhelming focus on producing traditional fighters.

Tragic Testing and the End of the BI Program

In March 1943, during a high-speed test flight, Bakhchivandzhi pushed the BI to its limits. As the aircraft neared transonic speeds, it became uncontrollable. The intense vibrations worsened, and the aircraft nosedived into the ground, killing the pilot. The accident raised concerns about the structural integrity of the BI and cast doubt on its viability as a frontline fighter.

Despite the setback, Soviet engineers continued to explore rocket-powered flight. The BI was further tested with modifications, but by the time improvements were made, jet-powered aircraft had begun to dominate the skies. With jet technology advancing rapidly, the BI was deemed obsolete before it could enter full-scale production.

Legacy of the BI Project

The project was eventually abandoned, and the few BI prototypes that had been built were either destroyed or relegated to museums. While the aircraft never saw combat, it provided valuable insights into high-speed flight and laid the groundwork for future Soviet aerospace developments. Engineers who worked on the BI went on to contribute to later Soviet jet and rocket programs, shaping the future of aviation.

Though overshadowed by more famous wartime aircraft, the Bereznyak-Isaev BI remains an important part of aviation history. It was one of the first rocket-powered fighters to be developed and tested, demonstrating both the potential and the limitations of the technology. While its short flight time and technical issues prevented it from becoming a practical weapon, it stands as a bold experiment in the race for faster and more advanced aircraft.