The Fizir F1V served as the foundation for engineer Rudolf Fizir’s development of a series of single-engine, two-seat trainer/reconnaissance biplanes, each equipped with varying engines.
The prototype was initially flown in late November of 1925 by test pilot Vladimir Striževski.
Subsequent to the initial design, further development was undertaken with the assistance of Dušan Stankov, resulting in the construction of five additional prototypes and the delivery of 32 production machines designated Fizir F1V over the following three years.
While these were constructed at the Rogožarski factory, Zmaj produced 15 of the Fizir F1V-Wright versions and 5 Jupiter-engined Fizir F1M floatplanes for Naval Aviation in 1930.
Zmaj was also responsible for the conversion of several Fizir-Maybach trainers to Lorraine-Dietrich engines in 1932, which extended the service life of these machines under the new name Fizir-Lorraine 400 hp.
The Fizir F1V aircraft was utilized at flying schools to facilitate the transition of pupils to reconnaissance and bomber aircraft, replacing the Hansa-Brandenburg C.I as production permitted.
By the end of 1928, twenty examples had been produced, with an additional twelve produced in 1929.
The Fizir F1V aircraft employed by pilot schools were subsequently retired from service and replaced with the new Zmaj Fizir FP-2 in 1936.
Despite this, some examples of these aircraft remained in use as liaison aircraft or for training purposes at the onset of war in 1941.
The final iteration of the Fizir family of aircraft, the Fizir F1M (Fizir first Navy), was a seaplane developed by “Zmaj” in Zemun at the behest of the Navy Command for a reconnaissance seaplane on floats.
Referred to as the Zmaj Fizir-Jupiter or “Big Fizir,” these aircraft were utilized by the Naval Air Force for reconnaissance purposes and for towing targets during antiaircraft training.
In 1931, one of these aircraft was fitted with an NACA ring to enhance the cooling of the Jupiter engine and reduce drag.
These aircraft were operational during the war, with three being captured by the Italians, although it remains unclear whether they were utilized by the captors.
Variants
Fizir F1
Prototype with a 190 kW (260 hp) Maybach Mb.IVa (1 example, 1925)
Sources One Hundred Years of the Serbian Air Force, 1912-2012-Miroslav Jandrić. Short History of Aviation in Serbia-Čedomir Janić & Ognjan Petrović. Yugoslav Fighter Colours, 1918-1941, Vol 1-Ognjan Petrovic & Djordie Nikolic. Yugoslav Fighter Colours, 1918-1941, Vol 2-Ognjan Petrovic & Djordie Nikolic. Serbian Aviation, 1912 – 1918 – Srpska Avijatika.
