IAR 80 – Photos & Videos

V IAR 80 was a Romanian World War II low-wing monoplane, all-metal monocoque fighter and ground-attack aircraft. When it first flew, in 1939, it was comparable to contemporary designs being deployed by the airforces of the most advanced military powers such as the Hawker Hurricane and Bf 109E. Production problems and lack of available armament delayed entry of the IAR 80 into service until 1941. It remained in frontline use until May 1945.

Vir: IAR 80 on Wiki

The IAR 80 was a Romanian fighter aircraft that was developed and produced by Industria Aeronautică Română (IAR) during World War II. It was a low-wing monoplane with an all-metal monocoque structure and a retractable landing gear. It was powered by an IAR K.14 radial engine that gave it a maximum speed of 560 km/h. It was armed with six 7.92 mm machine guns or one 20 mm cannon and four machine guns, and could also carry a 250 kg bomb.
The IAR 80 first flew in April 1939 and entered service in February 1941. It was comparable to contemporary designs such as the Hawker Hurricane and the Messerschmitt Bf 109E, but suffered from production delays and lack of modern armament. It fought against the Soviet Air Force until August 1944, when Romania switched sides and joined the Allies. It then fought against the Luftwaffe until March 1945, when it was withdrawn from frontline use. A total of 346 IAR 80s and its ground-attack variant, the IAR 81, were built until September 1944.