Romania's Industria Aeronautica Romania IAR 80 fighter
Photos
Industria Aeronautica Romania IAR 80 fighter: |
Industria Aeronautica Romania IAR 80A fighter1: |
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Industria Aeronautica Romania IAR 80 fighter: |
Design
The Industria Aeronautica Romania (IAR) designed the IAR 80 to be a replacement for the Polish PZL P.24E that had been licensed built.1,2
The design of the rear of the fuselage, the tail assembly, and the motor housing was based on the PZL P.24.2
Tail
Both the IAR 80 and IAR 81 had tail skids instead of a tail wheel.1
Prototype
The IAR 80 prototype first flew in late 19382 / April 1939.1,2 It had an IAR K 14-II engine (900 HP) which were based on the Gnome-Rhône 14 engine.1
Production
Production started in the spring of 1940 and ended in late 1943.1
- IAR 80: 511
- IAR 80A: 901
- IAR 80B: 301
- IAR 80C: 501
- Total IAR 80: 1202
- IAR 81: 501
- IAR 81A: 291
- IAR 81C: 1611
- Total IAR 80 and IAR 81: 4611
- Manufacturer: Industria Aeronautica Romana2
Variants
- IAR 80: Had enclosed cockpit.1 A cantilever tailplane.1 Entered service in January 1941.1
- IAR 80B: The 21st and subsequent IAR 80Bs had a slightly wider wing span.1
- IAR 80C: Postwar two seat trainer.1
- IAR 81: Entered service in October 1941.1
- IAR 81A: Changes in gun armament.1
- IAR 81C: Changes in gun armament.1
Usage
The IAR 80s and IAR 81s were primarily used on the Eastern Front until they were withdrawn to defend Bucharest and the Ploesti oilfields.1 At the start of 1942 units started to receive the IAR 80s.2
Post World War II
The IARs were in service until 1949.1 Some of these were converted in to IAR 80C trainers and were used until 1952.1
Specifications
| Industria Aeronautica Romania IAR 801, I.A.R. 802 | Industria Aeronautica Romania IAR 80A1 | Industria Aeronautica Romania IAR 80B1 | Industria Aeronautica Romania IAR 80C1 | Industria Aeronautica Romania IAR 811 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter2, Fighter bomber1 | ||||
| Crew | 11,2 | ||||
| Engine (Type) | I.A.R. - Gnome-Rhône 14 K2 | IAR K 14-1000 (Gnome-Rhône)1 | IAR K 14-1000 (Gnome-Rhône)1 | IAR K 14-1000 (Gnome-Rhône)1 | |
| Cylinders | Radial 142 | Radial 141 | Radial 141 | Radial 141 | |
| Cooling | Air2 | ||||
| HP | 9402 | 1,0251 | 1,0251 | 1,0251 | |
| Propeller blades | 31 | 31 | 31 | ||
| Fuel capacity | |||||
| Dimensions | |||||
| Span | 32' 10"2, 34' 6"1 10.51 m1 |
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| Length | 26' 9"2, 29' 5"1 8.97 m1 |
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| Height | 11' 10"1,2 3.6 m1 |
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| Wing area | |||||
| Weight | |||||
| Empty | 3,930 lb1 1,783 kg1 |
4,685 lb1 2,125 kg1 |
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| Loaded | 5,480 lb2 | 5,489 lb1 2,490 kg1 |
6,768 lb1 3,070 kg1 |
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| Performance | |||||
| Speed | |||||
| Speed @ 13,000' | 317 mph2 | ||||
| Speed @ 14,765' / 4,500 m |
314 mph1 505 kph1 |
311 mph1 500 kph1 |
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| Speed @ 22,965' / 7,000 m |
342 mph1 550 kph1 |
337 mph1 542 kph1 |
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| Cruising speed | |||||
| Climb | |||||
| Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m |
6.6 minutes1 | 6.5 minutes1 | |||
| Service ceiling | 34,500'2 | 34,450'1 10,500 m1 |
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| Range | 590 miles2 | 454 miles1 730 km1 |
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| Range with drop tanks | 640 miles1 1,030 km1 |
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| Armament | |||||
| Wings | 2: 20 mm2 4: MG2 |
6: 7.92 mm MG1 | 4: 7.92 mm MG1 2: 13.2 mm MG1 |
4: 7.92 mm MG1 2: 20 mm1 |
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| Bombs | 220 lb2 | 4: 110 lb1 4: 50 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
