- Yes
- No
Hello, I would like to suggest a variant of the plane already known to War Thunder players as the main prize of “Flight of the Vulture” Event, but this time it would be a non-afterburning IAR-93A.
IAR-93 appeared from a joint venture of Yugoslavian and Romanian aircraft engineers. The main idea of the project was to build a multi-role subsonic fighter-bomber which was more possible with two countries combining their efforts. Each country built its own prototypes which differed mainly in their armament. Yugoslavian variant received a name J-22 “Orao”, while Romanian one became IAR-93 “Vultur”.
More than 80 IAR-93 exemplars were built. Variants included: basic IAR-93A with Viper Mk 632-41 (26 single-seat and 9 two-seat planes, with serial numbers No. 109 - 119 pre-production, No. 150 - 164 serial and No. 005 - 008 pre-production, 180 - 184 serial respectively); IAR-93MB with an improved airframe as for B variant, but a basic non-afterburning engine (15 built, with serial numbers No. 201-215) and the most advanced IAR-93B equipped with Viper Mk. 633-47 engine with afterburner and improved airframe (27 built as single-seat (No. 200, 216-214) and 7 two-seat (No. 600-606).
IAR-93A made its first flight on October 31, 1974, on the same day as Yugoslav J-22 Orao prototype, 11 years before IAR-93B variant. Serial production of the IAR-93 began in 1976 at the Avioane Craiova plant in Romania.
The sole operator of IAR-93 jets was Romanian Air Force .
Vulturs served Romania until 1994, when last of them were retired.
At least 8 Vulturs were lost during their career, 3 of which crashed at the very beginning in their prototypes stage leading to such improvements as modifications to the combustion chamber and fuselage structure reinforcement.
Unlike its Yugoslavian cousin, this plane wasn’t used in combat, but nevertheless became an important machine for its country.
Some of remaining IAR-93A (as well as other IAR-93 modifications) can still be found on display in Eastern European countries (mainly Romania).
Specifications:
Armament:
2 twin-barrel 23 mm cannons GSh-23L with 200 rounds per gun.
Up to 1500 kg of paylong on 4 underwing pylons.
Possible loadouts:
Spoiler
Photos:
Sources:
1. Wikipedia - IAR-93
2. Aviation Museum Košice website
3. INCAS designer website
4.IAR 93 Factory Publication
In War Thunder it could be a good alternative (the best would be to add it as a regular tree addition in my opinion) to a rare event variant with less capabilities, but also at lower BR at least in air battles.