The IAR 79 was a twin-engine bomber and military reconnaissance aircraft with a wood and metal structure that saw service in World War II built under licence in Brasov, Romania, by Industria Aeronautică Română

IAR 79
JRS-79B at a airfield, 1943
General information
TypeMedium bomber
ManufacturerIndustria Aeronautică Română (IAR)
Primary userRoyal Romanian Air Force
Number built72
History
Introduction date1938
First flight1937
Retired1952
Developed fromSavoia-Marchetti SM.79

Development

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In May 1937, Romania ordered 24 Savoia-Marchetti SM.79B bombers powered by two Romanian-built IAR K14 engines. This variant was designated SM-79B and equipped the 1st Bomber Group (71st and 72nd Bomber Squadron).[citation needed]

Second batch of aircraft were upgraded by replacing the IAR K14 engines with 1200 hp water cooled Junkers Jumo 211Da engines increasing the maximum speed from 350 km/h to 405 km/h. Eight of these new airplanes were ordered in Italy. They were designated JIS-79B (Jumo Italian S-79B). But they didn't arrive until August 1941. An additional 36 aircraft were license built in IAR factory in Brasov under designation IAR 79 JR (Jumo Român).[citation needed]

In the autumn of 1942 another order of 36 bombers was issued to the IAR factory. They were upgraded by replacing the Junkers Jumo 211Da engine with new Junkers Jumo 211F, a 1400 HP engine.[citation needed]

Design

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The IAR.79 was a cantilever low-wing monoplane bimotor, with a retractable taildragger undercarriage. The fuselage of the IAR.79 was made of a welded tubular steel frame and covered with duralumin in the forward section, duralumin and plywood on the upper fuselage surface, and fabric on all other surfaces [1] The wings were of all-wood construction, with the trailing edge flaps and leading edge slats (Handley-Page type) to offset its relatively small size. The internal structure was made of three spars, linked with cantilevers and a skin of plywood. The wing had a dihedral of 2° 15'. Ailerons were capable of rotating through +13/-26°, and were used together with the flaps in low-speed flight and in takeoff. Its capabilities were significantly greater than its predecessor, the SM.79, with over 1,850 kW (2,480 hp) available and a high wing loading that gave it characteristics not dissimilar to a large fighter. The engines fitted to the main bomber version were two 750 kW (1,010 hp) IAR K14 radials, equipped with variable-pitch, all-metal three-bladed propellers. Speeds attained were around 430 km/h (270 mph) at 4,250 m (13,940 ft), with a relatively low practical ceiling of 6,500 m (21,300 ft). Cruise speed was 373 km/h (232 mph) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft), but the best cruise speed was 259 km/h (161 mph) (60% power). The landing was characterized by a 200 km/h (120 mph) final approach with the slats extended, slowing to 145 km/h (90 mph) with extension of flaps, and finally the run over the field with only 200 m (660 ft) needed to land (2,050 rpm, 644 Hg pressure). With full power available and flaps set for takeoff, the SM.79 could be airborne within 300 m (980 ft).[citation needed]

Variants

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S-79B
Romanian designation of the Savoia-Marchetti SM.79B bombers with 2 x IAR K14 1000 HP engine. Italian Built[citation needed]
JIS-79B
Romanian designation of the Savoia-Marchetti SM.79B bombers with 2 x Junkers Jumo 211Da 1200 HP engine, The aircraft made were Italian-built.
IAR JRS-79B
Romanian designation of the IAR 79 with 2 x Junkers Jumo 211Da 1200 HP engine, built under license by IAR factory. A total of 36 were manufactured by the Romanian factory (numbered 101-136).[2]
IAR JRS-79B1
Romanian designation of the IAR 79 with 2 x Junkers Jumo 211F 1400 HP engine, built by IAR factory. A total of 36 were manufactured by the Romanian factory (numbered 201-236).[3]

Operational service

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Initial in 1938 S-79Bs equipped the 1st Bomber Group (71st and 72nd Bomber Squadron). In July 1941, one of the 2nd Bomber Group's squadrons, the 75th Bomber Squadron, was re-equipped with new JRS-79B, These went on to fight in the battle of Odessa. In 1942 newer JIS-79Bs were assigned to the 71st Squadron. The 72nd Squadron was re-equipped with JRS-79B. The remaining older S-79Bs were transferred to flying schools. In 1944 the 2nd Bomber Group (82nd and 83rd Squadron) was re-equipped with IAR JRS-79B1. In October 1944 the 1st Bomber Group was reorganized (72nd and 82nd Squadron) and sent to the front. This unit fought on until the end of the war in May 1945.[citation needed]

Operators

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  Romania

Specifications (IAR JRS-79B1)

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Data from Janes 1938,[4][5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 5
  • Length: 16.82 m (55 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 21.2 m (69 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 4.1 m (13 ft 5 in) tail down
  • Wing area: 60.6 m2 (652 sq ft)
  • Airfoil: root: NACA 2418; tip: NACA 2412[6]
  • Empty weight: 6,400 kg (14,110 lb)
  • Gross weight: 11,785 kg (25,981 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Junkers Jumo 211F V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engines, 980 kW (1,320 hp) each
  • Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 436 km/h (271 mph, 235 kn) at 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
  • Range: 1,750 km (1,090 mi, 940 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 1,900 km (1,200 mi, 1,000 nmi)
  • Endurance: 5 hours
  • Service ceiling: 9,000 m (30,000 ft)
  • Take-off run: 400 m (1,300 ft)
  • Landing run: 350 m (1,150 ft)

Armament

  • Guns:
    • 5 x 7.92 mm machine guns
    • 1 x 20 mm cannon
  • Bombs: 1500 kg of bombs

References

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  1. ^ Mondey 1996, p. 236.
  2. ^ Mark Axworthy, London: Arms and Armour, 1995, Third Axis, Fourth Ally: Romanian Armed Forces in the European War, 1941–1945, p. 270
  3. ^ Mark Axworthy, London: Arms and Armour, 1995, Third Axis, Fourth Ally: Romanian Armed Forces in the European War, 1941–1945, p. 270
  4. ^ Grey, C.G. and Bridgman, L., Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1938.(1972). Newton Abott: David & Charles ISBN 0-7153-5734-4
  5. ^ Gugju, Ion; Gheorghe Iacobescu; Ovidiu Ionescu Pages=212-213. Romanian Aeronautical Constructions 1905–1974. Brasov.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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