[caldrail]

The russians also used I-16 airframes with wing panels removed for students to practice taxiing without risking a take-off! I don't know how widespread that practice was but it's mentioned in the memoirs of a russian pilot who flew in front line service from just after Barbarossa and into the Korean War. Can't remember the guys name but he was in the same squadron as Ivan Khoze... Kozedub... A famous russian ace.

Sorry... :oops: