The I-16 was named the Mosca, or Fly, by the Republicans who flew it in the Spanish Civil War and the Rata, or Rat, by the Nationalists. The Nationalists won the war, so history remembers it as the Rata, although Russian pilots called it the Ishak, or Donkey. Despite all its lovely nicknames, the I-16 was a nimble and well-liked fighter that also served with China against the Japanese. It was becoming outdated by the time WW2 started, but soldiered on until 1943. You know how hard it is to get rid of rats...

Cool stuff for I-16 lovers: