Ikarus S-49
Ikarus · Yugoslavia · first flew 1949 · fighter
The Ikarus S-49 was a Yugoslav single-seat piston fighter that entered service in the early 1950s, representing the final generation of propeller-driven fighters before Yugoslavia transitioned to jet aircraft. Its claimed top speed of 628 km/h is at the high end for piston fighters.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.06 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Post-WWII Yugoslav piston-engined fighter
- Low-wing monoplane with bubble canopy
- One of the last piston fighters produced in Yugoslavia before jet transition
A late-piston fighter with a prominent inline engine, bubble canopy, and clean low-wing profile — similar in concept to the Spitfire or Yak-9 era but produced a decade later by Yugoslavia.
Specifications
- The Ikarus S-49 has a length of 9.06 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.3 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 628 km/h (390 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by the Ikarus factory in Zemun, the S-49 first flew in 1949 and entered Yugoslav Air Force service in small numbers. It was powered by a Hispano-Suiza V-12 engine and carried cannon armament, serving alongside early jets during the transition period.
Variants
The S-49A and S-49C were production variants with improved armament and engine fits.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Yugoslav Air Force (JRV) in the early to mid-1950s, eventually replaced by licence-built Soviet jet fighters.
Related aircraft
- Ikarus Orkan
- Arsenal VG 90
- Dassault MD 450 Ouragan
- de Havilland DH.112 Venom
- De Havilland DH.113 Vampire NF
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.