Ikarbus IK-2
Ikarbus · Yugoslavia · first flew 1935 · fighter
The IK-2 was a Yugoslav single-seat fighter of the mid-1930s, notable for its inverted gull-wing arrangement that gave ground clearance to the large propeller without requiring very long undercarriage legs. It was the most capable indigenous fighter operated by the Royal Yugoslav Air Force.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.88 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Yugoslav interwar fighter with gull-wing mid-wing configuration
- Hispano-Suiza inline engine
- Saw limited service in the 1941 Yugoslav campaign
The distinctive inverted gull-wing centre section is the primary identification feature; the inline Hispano-Suiza engine gives it a pointed nose profile characteristic of 1930s European fighters.
Specifications
- The Ikarbus IK-2 has a length of 7.88 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.4 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 435 km/h (270 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by engineers Kosta Sivčev and Ljubomir Ilić at the Ikarus factory, the IK-2 entered service in 1937. A small batch of about 12 aircraft was built and these saw action during the German invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941, achieving a handful of aerial victories before the country's rapid defeat.
Variants
The IK-2 had no significant production variants; a successor IK-3 was also developed.
Where you'll see it
Operated solely by the Royal Yugoslav Air Force, the IK-2 fought briefly in April 1941 before Yugoslavia's capitulation; no IK-2s are known to have survived the conflict.
Related aircraft
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