This I-153 was found in a swamp around the Moormasji aerodrome, outside the city of Murmansk. During 1942 - 43 the aircraft was part of the 2nd Aviation Fighter Squadron of the Northern Navy. The aircraft was painted silver and spotted with green. I-153 serial number 6316 was restored in 1998 by a Siberian Aeronautical Research Bureau and after test flights, shipped to New Zealand. It has been painted silver with green spots, red stars with black outline and number '16' on the rudder in conformance with instructions of 1938.
Fuselage is welded tubular-steel fabric covered and metal engine cowlings.
Wings are of fabric covered wooden construction. Pneumatically operated retractable undercarriage. IImorrow Apollo SL40 radio, Artex ELT 200. T.S.O. 32.45 hours which includes 6.65 hours testing in Russia.