Soko 522
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Soko 522 | |
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| Type | training and light fighting aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Soko Aircraft factory |
| Designed by | Sostaric, Marjanovic and Curcic |
| Maiden flight | February 1955 |
| Retired | 1978 |
| Primary user | Yugoslav Air Force |
| Number built | approx. 110 |
| Unit cost | 100.000 $ |
Soko 522 is two seater, Yugoslav military training and light fighting aircraft produced in mid 50’s by Soko Aircraft Factory from Mostar, ex Yugoslavia, today Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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[edit] History
Soko 522 was constructed by team of Yugoslav engeeniers Sostaric, Marjanovic and Curcic from the Ikarus Aircraft Factory in Zemun. The first prototype flew in February of 1955. After initial succes with new aircraft, complete technical documentation was transfered to the Soko Aircraft factory in Mostar which was assigned to start serial production. Production lasted until 1961. and the total production number of this type of aircraft was 110. It was used in training units of Yugoslav Air force until 1978. when the remaining aircrats were transfered to the Air clubs for civil use.
Although quite a useful and reliable aircraft, it will be remembered not by it`s military service but by it`s role in many war movies filmed in Yugoslavia during 60’s and 70’s. Because of it`s overall resemblance with Fw 190, it was used in movies to simulate German airplanes. Some of it`s prominent movie roles are surely role in movie „Battle of Neretva“ which was Yugoslav candidat for Oscar, and „Kelly's Heroes“ starring Clint Eastwood.
[edit] Preserved aircrafts
After retiring from military use, Soko 522 was used by many air clubs around Yugoslavia. Today, there is no airworthy aircraft of this type in any of the ex Yugoslav republics. Some of the specimen were sold to foreign customers and are still flying. Current prise for this aircraft is 100.000 US dollars.
One airworthy Soko 522 is in France [1], other is in USA [2]. There is even one in Dixie Wing Commemorative Air force [3] but it crash landed on his belly and it isn’t flyable at the moment.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (Soko 522)
Data from </ref>
General characteristics
- Crew: two
- Length: 8.77 m ()
- Wingspan: 11 m ()
- Height: 3.69 ()
- Wing area: 17.98 m² ()
- Empty weight: 2.020 kg ()
- Max takeoff weight: 2.564kg ()
- Powerplant: 1× Pratt Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp air-cooled, 441 kW (600 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 333 km/h
- Range: 605 km ()
- Service ceiling: 5.070 m ()
- Rate of climb: 7.9 m/s ()
Armament
- 2 x 12.7 mm Colt Browning machineguns (2x150 bullets)
- 2 x 50 kg bombs
[edit] References:
- Illustrated history of aviation ’’Modern Ikars“, IRO Vuk Karadzic&Sluzbeni list SFRJ, Belgrade, 1989. ISBN 86-307-0088-2
- Yugoslavian Air Force and Air Defence, group of authors, VINC, Belgrade, 1989.
