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Description

The IAR 80 first flew in 1938 and entered service in 1941 with the Royal Romanian Air Force. It was an advanced design at the time, and very close in ability to the early Messerschmitts and Spitfires, but by 1944 it was outdated.

As well as defending Romania's oil fields from US bombing raids, the IAR 80 also saw action in the invasion of Russia. In 1944 the pro-German government was overthrown and Romania joined the Allies,

The IAR 80 was armed with 4 x 7.92mm machine guns, the 80A had 6 x 7.92mm machine guns, the 80B had 13.2mm machine guns and provision to carry a bomb or drop tank.

This example is an IAR 80 of the Romanian Aviation Command 1950.

Description

The IAR 80 first flew in 1938 and entered service in 1941 with the Royal Romanian Air Force. It was an advanced design at the time, and very close in ability to the early Messerschmitts and Spitfires, but by 1944 it was outdated.

As well as defending Romania's oil fields from US bombing raids, the IAR 80 also saw action in the invasion of Russia. In 1944 the pro-German government was overthrown and Romania joined the Allies,

The IAR 80 was armed with 4 x 7.92mm machine guns, the 80A had 6 x 7.92mm machine guns, the 80B had 13.2mm machine guns and provision to carry a bomb or drop tank.

This example is an IAR 80 of the Romanian Aviation Command 1950.