Port side view
of the plane flown by sgt. Eduard Banfic. Click and drag cowling
panel to see engine details
In
regards to the new design trends in the world, Ljubomir Ilic, Kosta
Sivcev and Slobodan Zrnic begun the project of the fighter. The new
fighter was calculated and designed as a private venture and up to the
mid of the 1936 complete documentation were submitted to the High
Command. Prototype was completed a year later, and the IK-3 made its
maiden flight in the May 1938. IK-3 was built to fit production
capabilities of the Yugoslav industry- mixed construction, fuselage of
metal tube, front side metal covered and rear side cover with fabric.
Wings and tail surfaces was of wooden construction. This is the first
plane in Yugoslavia to have a elements of composite construction, widely
used in the modern planes. Prototype featured Hispano Suiza engine while
the series production had the same type but from the Avia license.
Armament was of central type, proven successful on the earlier project
of IK-2. This configuration eliminate vibration during fire release and
on the trials IK-3 fighters got higher score on the target then the
German Bf109E fighter. Also a number test was done to compare with
Bf109E and only omission was in rate of climb and accelerations. Some
pilot memories state that IK-3 heat much in cockpit while Bf109E ram
down pilot to the seat during the take off. But IK-3 could take any
maneuvering during the dive [Bf109E could not] and had a smaller combat
turn radius.
But crash of the prototype delayed series production and moreover strike
of the aeronautical worker more delayed delivery of the production
planes. First block of six aircraft were delivered in March 1939 and
followed by six more in the July of the same year. Operator of the type
was 6. vazduhoplovni puk and home base was Zemun airfield.
During
the peacetime operation one IK-3 was lost and pilot Ercigoj was killed.
In the moment of beginning of April war, only six planes was operational
while the rest was on repairs or conversion. Due to the small number and
lack of combat experience, IK-3 had a very high score. Possibly three of
them was captured by Germans but their fate is still not clear.
In
regards to the new design trends in the world, Ljubomir Ilic, Kosta
Sivcev and Slobodan Zrnic begun the project of the fighter. The new
fighter was calculated and designed as a private venture and up to the
mid of the 1936 complete documentation were submitted to the High
Command. Prototype was completed a year later, and the IK-3 made its
maiden flight in the May 1938. IK-3 was built to fit production
capabilities of the Yugoslav industry- mixed construction, fuselage of
metal tube, front side metal covered and rear side cover with fabric.
Wings and tail surfaces was of wooden construction. This is the first
plane in Yugoslavia to have a elements of composite construction, widely
used in the modern planes. Prototype featured Hispano Suiza engine while
the series production had the same type but from the Avia license.
Armament was of central type, proven successful on the earlier project
of IK-2. This configuration eliminate vibration during fire release and
on the trials IK-3 fighters got higher score on the target then the
German Bf109E fighter. Also a number test was done to compare with
Bf109E and only omission was in rate of climb and accelerations. Some
pilot memories state that IK-3 heat much in cockpit while Bf109E ram
down pilot to the seat during the take off. But IK-3 could take any
maneuvering during the dive [Bf109E could not] and had a smaller combat
turn radius. 
But crash of the prototype delayed series production and moreover strike
of the aeronautical worker more delayed delivery of the production
planes. First block of six aircraft were delivered in March 1939 and
followed by six more in the July of the same year. Operator of the type
was 6. vazduhoplovni puk and home base was Zemun airfield.
During
the peacetime operation one IK-3 was lost and pilot Ercigoj was killed.
In the moment of beginning of April war, only six planes was operational
while the rest was on repairs or conversion. Due to the small number and
lack of combat experience, IK-3 had a very high score. Possibly three of
them was captured by Germans but their fate is still not clear.