Romanian Barbarossa 1941 Vol.2 IAR.80 Early and IAR.80A 1:72 IBG 72565

Plastic model airplane kit: Romanian Barbarossa 1941 Vol.2 IAR.80 early and IAR.80A 1:72 IBG 72565

We present a plastic model kit of the IAR 80 fighter aircraft in 1:72 scale, produced by IBG Models. This model kit allows you to build two versions of the aircraft: the early IAR 80 and the IAR 80A, which were used by the Royal Romanian Air Force during World War II. This model is part of the "Romanian Barbarossa 1941 Vol.2" series and offers the possibility to recreate historical machines that participated in Operation Barbarossa.

Model features:

• Scale: 1:72
• Manufacturer: IBG Models
• Catalog number: 72565
• Type: Assembly kit
• Includes parts to build one of two: early IAR 80 and IAR 80A

History and historical background:

The IAR 80 is a Romanian fighter aircraft from World War II, designed and produced by Industria Aeronautica Romana (IAR). It was a single-seat low-wing aircraft with an entirely metal structure, serving both as a fighter and an attack aircraft. The first flight of the IAR 80 took place on April 12, 1939, and it entered service in February 1941. This aircraft was comparable to other fighters of that era, such as the Hawker Hurricane and the Messerschmitt Bf 109E.

Production of the IAR 80 began in 1941, and the aircraft remained in combat use until the end of the war. A total of 450 units of this model were produced. The IAR 80 was used by the Royal Romanian Air Force, which supported German operations on the Eastern Front, including during the Battle of Stalingrad.

Technical specifications of the IAR 80:

• Length: 8.97 m
• Wingspan: 11 m
• Height: 3.6 m
• Wing area: 17 m2
• Empty weight: 2200 kg
• Maximum takeoff weight: 3030 kg
• Engine: 1x IAR K14 IVc32 1000A1 engine, 14-cylinder, air-cooled, with a power of 750 kW (1000 HP)
• Maximum speed: 510 km/h
• Range: 730 km
• Service ceiling: 10,000 m
• Armament: 2x 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons and 2x 7.92 mm FN-Browning machine guns

Combat use:

The IAR 80 was mainly used on the Eastern Front, where it supported Romanian and German operations against the Soviet Union. These aircraft participated in numerous combat missions, including bomber escort and ground attack. In 1943, the IAR 80 was transferred to Romania, where it served in air defense against American bombers attacking the refineries in Ploiești.

During Operation Tidal Wave on August 1, 1943, the IAR 80 faced American B-24 Liberator bombers. Romanian pilots reported shooting down 25 bombers, which was a significant success in defending against Allied air raids.

Contents of the kit:

The IBG 72565 model kit includes all the necessary components to build one of the two aircraft: IAR 80 or IAR 80A. The kit contains detailed plastic parts that allow for accurate reproduction of the structural details of these historical machines. Modelers can also take advantage of the included decals, which enable the recreation of authentic markings used by the Romanian Air Force from 1941 to 1944.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. Assembly requires separately sold modeling tools (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g., Tamiya Extra Thin Cement). The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.