Ikarus Aero 2

The Ikarus Aero 2 was a piston-engined military trainer aircraft built in Yugoslavia in the years following World War II, although the design pre-dated the war.

Development

It was designed in response to a Yugoslav Air Force requirement for a modern, monoplane trainer to replace the Fizir FN biplanes then in service. The powerplant was to be the de Havilland Gipsy Major because of its successful use in similar trainer aircraft built in other countries.

Ikarus' entry, designed by Boris Cijan and Đorđe Petković was selected over its two competitors in trials held between June and November 1940, but production did not take place until the Air Force began to rebuild itself after the war. 248 were eventually built, serving from 1948 to 1959 (380 built according to.^[1]

Design

The Aero 2 was a low-wing monoplane that seated the student and instructor in tandem, open cockpits (although later versions added a canopy to enclose them). Undercarriage was fixed and used a tailskid.

Variants

Aero 2B

Open cockpit version with a 145hp (108kW) de Havilland Gipsy Major engine.

Aero 2BE

Enclosed cockpit version with a 145hp (108kW) de Havilland Gipsy Major engine.

Aero 2C

Open cockpit version with a 160hp (119kW) Walter Minor 6-III engine.

Aero 2D

Enclosed cockpit version with a 160hp (119kW) Walter Minor 6-III engine.

Aero 2E

Enclosed cockpot version with a 160hp (119kW) Walter Minor 6-III engine.

Aero 2F

Open cockpit version with a 160hp (119kW) Walter Minor 6-III engine.

Aero 2H

Twin-float version with a 160hp (119kW) Walter Minor 6-III engine.

Operators

 Yugoslavia

• Yugoslavian Air Force
  • 1st Training Aviation Regiment (1945–1948)
  • 3rd Training Aviation Regiment (1946-1948)
  • 103rd Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment (1949–1951)
  • 105th Training Aviation Regiment (1948-1949, 1951-1959)
  • 267th Aviation Regiment of School of Reserve Officers (1951–1953)
  • 122nd Hydroplane Liaison Squadron (1949–1959)
  • Training Squadron of 29th Aviation Division (1953–1961)
  • Training Squadron of 39th Aviation Division (1956–1959)
  • Training Squadron of 44th Aviation Division (1956–1961)
  • Liaison Squadron of 7th Aviation Corps (1953–1956)

Specifications (2B)

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 1
• Length: 8.45 m (27 ft 8¾ in)
• Wingspan: 10.5 m (34 ft 5¼ in)
• Height: 2.80 m (8 ft 10¼ in)
• Wing area: 17.4 m² (187 ft²)
• Empty weight: 564 kg (1241 lb)
• Gross weight: 996 kg (2196 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × de Havilland Gipsy Major, 108 kW (145 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 208 km/h (129 mph)
• Range: 680 km (423 miles)
• Service ceiling: 4500 m (14,765 ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Miles Magister
• RWD-23

References

Notes

Bibliography

External links

• Photos and drawings at Ugolok Neba