The armament issue was somewhat rectified with the inclusion of Romania into the Axis fold. Since control of Belgium fell to the Germans, the alliance netted Romania the much-needed guns for its IAR 80 planes. This finally allowed the IAR 80 to begin its delivery schedule into Romanian air groups for some valuable operational experience. The first IAR 80 was made available in January of 1941, some three years after its first flight in prototype from. Production models were only allowed an armament suite of 4 x 7.92mm machine guns, however, which severely limited the types combat effectiveness to an extent. In-field feedback also resulted in the use of the K14-IV C32 series engine of 960 horsepower as many Romanian pilots felt the aircraft lacked much punch in terms of performance.
As the war progressed in Germany's favor, the IAR 80 benefitted by the delivery of more guns. This resulted in the aircraft now coming off the production lines with its full bevy of 6 x 7.92mm machine guns. A newer 1,025 horsepower engine (K14-1000A) engine was also fitted for improvements in performance and armor plating and a bulletproof windshield was added to the cockpit area. The IAR design in this new form was now designated as the IAR 80A, a production model now more in line with the IAR 80's intended form. These additions, however, came at a lofty price. The added weight of the new engine, extra machine guns and armor no doubt slowed the overall top speed of the aircraft, though these additions were seen as detrimental to improving the type for the long run. Production of IAR 80A models now superseded any of the pre-existing IAR 80 base types. The IAR 80 and IAR 80A were ready by the time of the German invasion of the Soviet Union, pitting the aircraft in actual combat against Soviet designs. The IAR 80A model series clocked in at 316 miles per hour with a 715 mile range and a ceiling of 31,200 feet.
Wartime experience of the IAR 80A showcased the aircraft to be weak in several areas. A follow-up design produced the IAR 80B (deliveries beginning mid-1942) with new longer wings and heavier-caliber 13.2mm machine gun armament for added offensive firepower and provision for underwing 2 x fuel drop tanks or 2 x bombs. The communications suite was also further upgraded. The base IAR 80 could hit 317 miles per hour and ceiling of 34,500 feet while achieving a range of 580 miles.
The similar IAR 81 was designed to fulfill the Romanian need for a dive bomber platform. Modifying the IAR 80A was an economical response to the requirement considering the atmosphere in Europe at the time. This dive bomber derivative eventually sported a centerline bomb rack position for 500lb ordnance and underwing racks mounting 110lb bombs as well. Follow-up variants to this design included the IAR 81A, IAR 81B and IAR 81C, differing mostly in armament types as they became available from the Germans. The IAR 81C hit a top speed of 342 miles per hour, a range of 454 miles and a ceiling of 31,200 feet.
Future variants of the fighter design included the IAR 80M (designation for an armaments upgrade standardization of IAR 80A/80B and IAR 81A/81B models) and the IAR 80DC (post-war trainer models).
Design
Design-wise, the base IAR 80 fighter displayed a very distinct layout when compared to her contemporaries, with the pilots position located well aft on the pencil-like fuselage, positioned behind of the wing trailing edges. A radial piston engine - a single IAR-produced K.14-IV C32 air-cooled radial, 14-cylinder double row of 960 horsepower - was used and made up a large portion of the forward fuselage. The low-wing monoplanes were fitted behind and below the engine compartment, well ahead of the cockpit - this was a necessity with changes brought about after the initial prototype was revised as mentioned earlier. The single seat cockpit featured a bubble style canopy offering good vision with the forward piece showcasing framing. The fuselage compacted into a tight empennage to which was adorned a traditional rudder and elevator assembly.
Armament
Armament of the base IAR 80 consisted of 4 x FN/Browning 7.92mm machine guns with 50 rounds per gun. These systems were mounted in the wings. The IAR 80A saw this armament increase to 6 x 7.92mm machine guns, again with 500 rounds to a gun. The IAR 81C retained the original 4 x 7.92mm machine gun armament but added 2 x MG 151/20 Mauser cannons to the mix, thanks to Romania's German alliance during the war.
Conclusion
In the end, the IAR 80 as a series was a limited success. With more potential early on to compete with the likes of other fabled designs, the Romanian air industry had to make do with what it could manifest. Tight control of supplies by their German overseers allowed the IAR 80 to suffer and limited production of the fighter to the extent that it played only a minor role in the conflict. The aircraft would serve in the Romanian air forces up until 1952, those these later models were nothing more than modified trainers, themselves replaced by more capable Soviet types. The IAR 80 made up no fewer than nine Romanian Air Force groups - numbering from the 1st to the 9th Fighter Group.
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