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The Russians had 7 aircraft factories in 1914 (source for all data: Gröhler) and increased this number to 12 in 1917. The most important factories were Anatra (Odessa), Lebedejew (Petersburg), The Russian-Baltic Waggon factory (Petersburg), Dux and Stschetinin. The Construction bureau of Sikorsky was founded in 1912 by the Russian-Baltic factory. One of the team members was N.N. Polikarpow.
The Russians produced 5607 aircraft in WWI and imported 1800 but the Russian industry could not cope with the engine production for their aircraft (1511 produced and 4000 imported).
Russian aircraft types (source Nowarra): Anatra/Anade/Anasal; Diell, Dekan; Iwanoff; Lebedeff "Albatros"; Mosea-Bistrizkij; Okhowsky "Torpedoe"; Porokowshikoff; Stschetinin M.5, M.9, M.11, M.16, M.23 and M.24; Sikorsky "Russkij Witjas" and "Ilya Mourometz" (different types).
Only one (or two?) of the latter were shot down. Lt.Wolff reported in an article in "Das Fliegerbuch" about his and his observers combat against the Giant (10 minutes air combat in 3000 m altitude). Wolffs aircraft got 70 hits but was able to bring the monster with its crew of four officers (armed with 3 MG) down on 25th September 1916.
Lwaotschkin died (I believe 1960) in one of the biggest catastrophes of the Soviet Rocket program when the a starting rocket hit the bunker. Dozens of people were killed (I remember one source saying 200).
The Soviets believed in the competition between different design bureaus. The resulting best product should be produced with all available power of the state economy. This idea should replace the market mechanism and establish a kind of "Socialist competition". The experience shows that some bureaus established a kind of monopoly on informal ways. E.g. the Tupolew-bombers were not always the best in the competitions but Tupolew had established better connections than his rivals. The successes of the young Yakowlew created a dangerous situation for Polikarpow who was losing his exclusive position in the late 30s and early 40s. A number of designers were send to prison and had to start there the design of the next aircraft generation but Yakowlew got an own sport car and 100,000 Rubel - an enormous amount of money for Russian conditions in this time and system.
So - I guess that helps.
Sincerely,
Hannes
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