DISCONTINUED IKARUS IK-2 "VVJK"

The Ikarus IK-2 was a World War II Yugoslav fighter in a high-wing configuration with a fixed landing gear. The drive was provided by a single engine Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs with 860 hp. The prototype flight took place in April 1935. Serial production continued in the years 1938-1941, which led to the creation of 12 copies of this aircraft. The deck armament consisted of a single 20mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon and two 7.92mm machine guns. Work on the IK-2 began in the early 1930s with the goal of creating a new fighter plane for the Yugoslav Air Force. The designers of the new machine decided to use the so-called Pulawski wing and reduce the aerodynamic resistance of the structure as much as possible. However, despite the test flight of the prototype in 1935, work on its elaboration lasted until 1938. Ultimately, however, The Ikarus IK-2 was characterized by good maneuverability and considerable ease of piloting, but it was clearly inferior to the latest British or German designs (Hurricane or Me-109) in terms of maximum speed. Ikarus IK-2 machines took part in the battles with the German invasion in 1941, and later - until 1944 - served in the Croatian air force.