Rohr 2-175

In 1974, Rohr Chairman Burt Raynes resolved to move Rohr into the light airplane market by summoning Walt Mooney as designer and project manager to come up with a quantum leap in light aircraft technology. Mooney selected the best people Rohr had, including key players Bill Chana, Bob Fronius, Mike Voydisch, and Don Westergren, and built three airframes; two flying prototypes and a static tester, plus 1/10- and 1/2-scale models for feasibility tests.

Fiberglass-reinforced plastic honeycomb construction. Sparless folding wings and vertical tail for storage in an average one-car garage. Goodrich Aerostructures Group was a contract manufacturer of engine cowlings and pylons.

A shortage of funds precluded further development. By the time the project ended (for reasons having nothing to do with the merits of the airplane), one prototype had accumulated 23 hours in the air.

Engine: 150hp Lycoming special high-rpm (4400rpm)
Prop: four-blade ducted-fan pusher prop plus a six-blade stator
Wingspan: 30’0″
Length: 28’0″
Gross weight: 1450 lb
Seats: 2

Rogožarski SIM-XV / R-313

In connection with the growing danger of war in the second half of the thirties Yugoslavia started to carry out intensive work on designing new types of modern combat aircraft. Specifically, multi-purpose aircraft, which can be used as a light bomber, ground-attack aircraft and tactical explorer. Work to meet these requirements was begun by Ikarus and Rogožarskij.

In 1937 Rogožarski (Prva srpska fabrika aeroplana Rogožarski – Прва српска фабрика аероплана Живојин Рогожарски А. Д.) established a working group of engineer to proceed the project of a light twin-engine battle aircraft, designated R-313.

The Rogozarski R-313 (Рогожарски Р-313 in Serbian), originally called SIM-XV, was a two-seater twin-engined monoplane fighter/light bomber/reconnaissance aircraft. It was powered by two in-line Walter Sagitta IIR engines, both fitted with a compressor; each was capable of 493 hp. The inner fuel tank held 680 litres. The elliptical, wooden fuselage was covered in plywood which was also used to ‘skin’ the round-tipped, trapezoidal wings. The engine nacelles also housed the landing gear. The tail-wheel was, like the main landing gear, retractable. The fuel tank was located in the centre section between the wings. The reconnaissance variant of this aircraft was due to be equipped with a camera, a radio, a fixed 20mm cannon and a single FN 7.9mm machine gun, flexibly mounted. As a light bomber, the plane would carry four 106 kg ‘Stankovic’ bombs inside the fuselage. It was designed and built at the Rogozarski factory in Belgrade.

Construction of the prototype began in 1938 and completed at the end of next year. According to various sources, the first flight of the R-313 took place either at the end of 1939 or in July 1940. A total of 25 aircraft were planned, both reconnaissance and light bomber versions. In any case, the Sturmovik for the most part justified the hopes of the Air Force, whose specialists noted only the insufficient power of the engines. The engineers responded to the military’s wishes, presenting soon the variants of the R-313 with Daimler-Benz DB-601 and Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. Both versions brought the aircraft to the level of foreign aircraft, but because of the German invasion of a number of European countries, deliveries of foreign-made engines became not possible.

The prototype became part of 603 training squadron which was located at Grab, near Trebinje during the April war. It was damaged and abandoned attempting to take-off from Grab on 12 April 1941. A month later, the Germans took control and sold the machine to the Croats who had taken over the ‘Ikarus’ factory. They renamed the aircraft “Независни” (“Independent”); after repairs, a test flight was carried out on 19 May 1942. Sabotage was then detected, so serious that further repairs could not be carried out. Thus ended the plane which was popular in literature as the “Yugoslav moskito” Although it was designed and built long before its legendary counterpart.

Crew: 2
Engines: 2 × Walter Sagitta I-SR, 368 kW (493 hp) each
Propellers: 3-bladed Ratier
Wingspan: 13.00 m (42 ft 8 in)
Wing area: 26.40 m2 (284.2 sq ft)
Length: 11.00 m (36 ft 1 in)
Height: 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in)
Empty weight: 2,950 kg (6,504 lb)
Gross weight: 4,270 kg (9,414 lb)
Maximum speed SL: 376 km/h (234 mph; 203 kn)
Maximum speed 4000m/13,123ft: 460 km/h / 286 mph
Range: 1,000 km (621 mi; 540 nmi)
Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 8.33 m/s (1,640 ft/min)
Time to 3000m / 10,000 ft: 5,7 min
Armament: 1x 20 mm (Oerlikon FF) HS-404 cannon, 1x flexible 7,92 mm Browning FN machine gun
Bombload: 400 kg / 882 lb

Rogožarski Brucoš

The Rogožarski Brucoš (Freshman, Serbian Cyrillic: Рогожарски Бруцош) was a single-engine, two-seat, low wing monoplane aircraft designed as a trainer in Yugoslavia in 1940. It was designed and built in the Rogožarski aircraft factory in Belgrade. Only one prototype was built.

Engine: 1 × de Havilland Gipsy Major I, 96 kW (129 hp)
Propeller: 2-bladed
Wingspan: 10.00 m (32 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 16.00 sq.m (172.2 sq ft)
Length: 8.10 m (26 ft 7 in)
Height: 3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)
Empty weight: 615 kg (1,356 lb)
Gross weight: 872 kg (1,922 lb)
Maximum speed: 185 km/h (115 mph; 100 kn) 210 km/h at sea level
Range: 840 km (522 mi; 454 nmi)
Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
Rate of climb: 2.54 m/s (500 ft/min)
Crew: 2

Rogožarski SIM-XII / Рогожарски СИМ-XII-Х

Rogožarski SIM-XII-H (left) and SIM-XIV-H (right) (Kumbor 1938)

The Yugoslav Royal Air Force turned to the Rogožarski factory for seaplane pilot trainers in 1937. A requirement was the seaplane would match the characteristics of the SIM-X. Since it was not possible to adapt existing SIM-X for installation of EDO floats, chief designed Sima Milutinović fitted the new, larger plane with a more powerful Walter Major 6 190 hp engine. At the end of 1937 the prototype was ready for testing. The first flight was conducted on February 7, 1938, by test pilot Ivan Koroša in at Divulje. After the flight tests had achieved satisfactory results, the first batch of aircraft was ordered, which were delivered in mid-1939.

The SIM-XII-H two-seat plane, with engine Walter Major 6 (190 hp), was of predominantly wooden construction, with an elliptical cross-section of fuselage entirely made of wood and covered with plywood. The wings were wood covered with fabric, with rounded ends. On each side, the wings are supported by a pair of inclined struts attached to the fuselage. The fuel tank was located in the central section between the wings. The first series of aircraft had two EDO Model 47 floats installed.

Nine were built in total.

The Royal Maritime Navy signed a contract with the Rogožarski factory on July 15, 1940 for a second series of these plane (4 aircraft) with these seaplanes equipped for instrument, or, “blind” flying. Rogožarski delivered these aircraft in five months but without floats as the delivery from Canada was delayed for several months. With agreement reached between the Rogozarski factory an the Navy command, the design and development of domestic aircraft floats was launched, unfortunately this project did not reach completion due to the outbreak of April war . In the pre-war period two SIM-XII-H aircraft were in accidents both in Boka Kotorska in 1940. Both aircraft were designated for disposal, so the Navy Command requested approval to install the floats from these planes onto new aircraft (onto the 2nd series of SIM-XII-H) considering that these planes were equipped with instruments for instrumental (“blind”) flying. When the approval was given, the floats were installed into new planes, so the aircraft in the second series in use before the war broke out.

The type was retired in 1941.

Rogožarski SIM-XII-H
Engine: 1 × Walter Major 6, 6-cylinder line, 140 kW (190 hp)
Propellers: 2-bladed
Length: 7.50 m (24 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 11.00 m (36 ft 1 in)
Height: 2.96 m (9 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 2,050 m2 (22,100 sq ft)
Empty weight: 635 kg (1,400 lb)
Gross weight: 920 kg (2,028 lb)
Maximum speed: 208 km/h (129 mph; 112 kn) at sea level
Range: 840 km (522 mi; 454 nmi)
Crew: 2

Rogožarski SIM XI

The Rogožarski management observed that the SIM-X characteristics were very close to an acrobatic plane. It was decided to make some modifications to make an acrobatic plane. Sima Milutinovic designed reinforcements, reducing the wing area, and more powerful engines during 1937.

The Rogozarski SIM-XI (Serbian: Рогожарски СИМ-XI) was a single engined, one crew, high wing monoplane, designed and built at the Rogožarski factory in Belgrade.

The test flying was conducted by factory test pilot Captain Milan Bjelanovic by the end of January 1938. Factory tests were carried out until 12 March, then tests the experiment group of the Yugoslav Royal Air Force. The plane got excellent grades and and the YAF bought the prototype SIM-XI. This was the first Yugoslav aerobatic aircraft.

Engine: 1 × Siemens Sh14a, 110 kW (150 hp)
Propeller: 2-blade
Wingspan: 9.40 m (30 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 17.30 sq.m (186.2 sq ft)
Length: 7.16 m (23 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in)
Empty weight: 540 kg (1,190 lb)
Gross weight: 680 kg (1,499 lb)
Maximum speed: 191 km/h (119 mph; 103 kn)
Cruising speed: 168 km/h (104 mph; 91 kn)
Minimum control speed: 88 km/h (55 mph; 48 kn)
Range: 825 km (513 mi; 445 nmi)
Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,045 ft)
Rate of climb: 4.87 m/s (959 ft/min)
Crew: 1

Rogožarski SIM-X / SEA-JEEP / SI-GIP

Aircraft SIM X was designed by Sima Milutinovic at the beginning of the 1936, drawing on the positive experiences of his previous SIM-II and SIM-VIII. The Rogozarski SIM-X (Serbian: Рогожарски СИМ-X) was a 1936s Yugoslav Sports and tourist plane and for basic training of military pilots. It was designed and built at the Rogožarski factory in Belgrade.

The prototype aircraft was built at Rogožarski from August until the end of the 1936. The first test flight took place on 1936. The SIM X had parasol monoplane with one engine, a wooden two blade propeller, with two crew members in tandem. The aircraft was registered YU-PDY.

While the plane was designed for three types of engine mounting: Walter NZR 120 hp, Siemens 110 hp and Gypsy Major 120 hp: the production incorporated a Walter NZR 120 hp air-cooled radial with reduction gear which was produced locally by Vlajković in Belgrade. The plane was mostly wooden construction, the fuselage of elliptical cross-section made entirely of wood covered with plywood, and the wings made of wood covered with cloth, with rounded ends. On each side, the wings are supported by a pair of inclined struts from the fuselage. The fuel tank was located in the central part between the wings. Landing gear was fixed, no axles, completely made of steel pipe.

A trainer single-engine two-seater plane for the initial training (21 units, 1937)

The Rogožarski SEA-JEEP was a modification of SIM X with Gypsy Major engine (1 converted SIM-X, 1940)
A second Rogožarski SEA-JEEP was a modified SIM-X plane for a school night flying (1 converted SIM-X 1941)

Variants:
Rogozarski SIM-X First variant with Walter NZR engines 120 hp, 21 built (1) prototype 1936 (10 airplane) 1937 and (10 airplane) 1938

Rogozarski SI-GIP
Second variant with Gipsy Major engines 132 hp, 1 built (conversion) in 1940.

Rogozarski SIM-Xa
Third variant instrument flight aircraft with Walter NZR engines 120 hp, 1 built (conversion) in 1941.

Engine: 1 × Walter NZR 6-cylinder radial, 89 kW (120 hp)
Propellers: 2-bladed Crew: 2
Wingspan: 10.00 m (32 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 18.50 sq.m (199.1 sq ft)
Length: 6.96 m (22 ft 10 in)
Height: 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in)
Empty weight: 543 kg (1,197 lb)
Gross weight: 785 kg (1,731 lb)
Maximum speed: 202 km/h (126 mph; 109 kn)
Cruising speed: 168 km/h (104 mph; 91 kn)
Minimum control speed: 72 km/h (45 mph; 39 kn)
Range: 560 km (348 mi; 302 nmi)
Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,045 ft)
Rate of climb: 4.17 m/s (821 ft/min)

Rogožarski SIM-VI

SIM VI

The Rogožarski SIM-VI (Serbian Cyrillic:Рогожарски СИМ-VI) was designed by engineer Sima Milutinović in the early 1930s as an inexpensive trainer plane that would enable expansion of sports aviation. It was a single-engined, two-seat, low wing aircraft designed as trainer in Yugoslav before World War II. It was designed and built at the Rogožarski factory in Belgrade.

The project was in suspension until 1936, when a prototype was constructed, and the maiden flight was made in 1937. The aircraft was a low wing monoplane of fabric-covered wooden structure. A four cylinder 50 hp / 35 kW Walter Mikron engine drove a two-bladed wooden propeller. The plane had tandem seating and was intended for civilian use, for the training of sports pilots, demonstration flights and travel. The wings were of thin profile, only 6% of trapezoidal shape with rounded ends. On each side, the wings were stretched with molded wire ties.

Immediately after completing the flight tests of aircraft SIM-VI, engineer Milutinovic undertook the repair of the shortcomings he had observed, so that by the end of the 1937 Rogozarski had a new variant of this airplane which was designated SIM-VI-a. It had a more powerful engine Walter Mikron II 44 kW (60 hp). An increase in engine power required strengthening of the basic structure which Milutinovic used to make general improvements to the aircraft. Wing relative thickness was increased from 6% to 15% which strengthened the wings, and resulting in the removal of wire ties. Now the wings were covered with cardboard to the half swing instead of cloth which resulted in an improved overall stiffness of the aircraft. This also enabled the landing gear and aerodynamic characteristics of new aircraft to be upgraded, while the weight was only slightly increased.

After successful testing and registration (YU-PDX) the SIM-VI was bought by the Central Administration of the Aero Club, which used the it at airshows and for the training of sport pilots. The aircraft did not enter serial production because it could not be used at smaller and under-equipped airports that existed in central Serbia.

Flight tests that were carried out at the Zemun airfield proved that the SIM-VI-a had slightly better performance than its predecessor, and was able to perform basic stunts. After being granted a navigation license the plane was registered under civil designation YU-PEZ and it was bought by Aero Club’s Central Administration. The plane was used until the beginning of the war in 1941 at air shows, sports competitions and for pilot training.

Pilot and engineer Arsenijevic, piloted this plane at the competition Little Entente states in 1938. during the competition the plane flew some 3,274 km (2,034.37 miles) achieving an average speed of 151.01 km/h (93.83 mph). Pilots who flew the plane felt that the plane was agile and easy to operate and fly, but despite good features and relatively low cost, SIM-VI did not go into serial production it could not win over the traditional empirical approach (a robust and powerful aircraft is a good aircraft). Right before the outbreak of war, the aircraft was included into the Yugoslav Royal Air Force, deployed as a signalling plane but was destroyed during the bombing of Lazarevac airfield on 7 April 1941.

Engine: 1 × Walter Mikron, 37 kW (50 hp)
Propeller: 2-bladed
Wingspan: 9.50 m (31 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 15.00 m2 (161.5 sq ft)
Length: 7.05 m (23 ft 2 in)
Gross weight: 500 kg (1,102 lb)
Empty weight: 300 kg (661 lb)
Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph; 65 kn) 150 km/h (93 mph) at sea level
Cruising speed: 60 km/h (37 mph; 32 kn)
Range: 450 km (280 mi; 243 nmi)
Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
Crew: 2