Zmaj R-1
Zmaj · Yugoslavia · first flew 1940 · fighter
The Zmaj R-1 was a Yugoslav single-seat fighter prototype developed in 1940, representing Yugoslavia's effort to field an indigenous combat aircraft on the eve of Axis invasion. Its dimensions seem unusually large for a single-seat fighter of the period.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.78 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Yugoslav single-seat monoplane fighter of 1940
- Inline engine in sleek low-wing airframe
- Indigenous design from the Zmaj factory in Zemun
A late-1930s style monoplane fighter with a liquid-cooled inline engine, low-wing configuration, and retractable undercarriage — similar in concept to contemporaries across Europe.
Specifications
- The Zmaj R-1 has a length of 12.78 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.4 m (47 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 450 km/h (280 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Built at the Zmaj factory in Zemun, the R-1 was developed as Yugoslavia sought to modernise its air force through domestic production. The April 1941 Axis invasion of Yugoslavia terminated any further development before the type could enter service.
Variants
Only a prototype was completed; the German occupation ended the programme.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; the prototype was destroyed or captured during the 1941 invasion.
Related aircraft
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