IAR 80: Romania’s Indigenous Fighter Plane

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The new version was given the 1,025-hp IAR 14K 1000A engine and equipped with six Browning FN machine guns. An armored windscreen and seatback were added for the pilot’s protection, and a new Goerz gunsight was installed. Although the IAR 80A had a more powerful engine, the added weight of the guns, ammunition and armor plating actually reduced the top speed to 316 mph. Only eight IAR 80As had been completed when the invasion of Russia began, but the version proved quite satisfactory in combat, and by the end of 1941 three squadrons in Grupul 8 Vinatoare flew the IAR 80A in the skies over Russia.

The Royal Romanian Air Force served throughout southern Russia, supporting both the Romanian and the German forces of Army Group South as they advanced through the Ukraine.

The Romanians continued to operate the IAR 80s and 80As in Russia throughout 1942, and the air-to-air victory scores of the Romanian pilots continued to climb. Lieutenant Dan Vizante scored most of his 32 credited kills flying the IAR 80. However, the Russians were introducing new and better types of fighters, and the IAR 80s and 80As were soon outclassed on the Russian front. The IAR engineers tried several different modifications to improve performance. They tried to mate the Focke-Wulf FW-190’s BMW 801 radial engine and the Junkers Jumo 211 Da engine to the IAR 80 airframe. However, neither adaptation was successful, and the Germans found it more beneficial to outfit the Romanian air force with standard Luftwaffe aircraft.

Although the IAR 80 and 80A were eventually withdrawn from service on the Russian front, they continued to serve in Romania, protecting vital oil fields and ports from both Russian and American attack. A total of 236 IAR 80 and 80A fighters were built during World War II, and the planes served the Romanians well. The IAR 80 and 80A provided protection for Romanian troops during their many battles in Russia and protected vital installations in Romania until the end of the war.

This article was written by Timothy J. Kutta and originally appeared in the May 1996 issue of World War II magazine.

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Tags: Aircraft, Flight Technology

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