In the late 1930s, the Polish PZL P.11 and P.24 all-metal, high wing fighter planes were produced under licence by IAR, Industria Aeronautica Romana. Using the P.24??s fuselage structure, a new fighter plane was created by a design team led by Ion Grosu and the plane was named the IAR -80. The new fighter had performance approaching that of contemporary foreign designs like the Hurricane, P-36, MS 406 and Bf 109D. Various changes to weapons led to the IAR-80A, B and C sub-versions, and also the IAR-81C which was designed for fighter-bomber role during spring of 1941, although it served in both air interceptor and ground attack roles. The IAR-81C was the most numerous sub-version to be produced (from no 300 to 450), deliveries starting early in 1943.Total production for IAR-80/81 series totalled around 450 units, but ceased (as well as the production of the Bf 109 type that only had just begun) after the American bombing of Brasov factory, on April 16th, 1944.
1/32 IAR-81C Rumanian Defender 32068
- Scale:
- 1/32
