The Zmaj Fizir FN aircraft was designed specifically for the primary training of pilots in Yugoslavia before World War II.
It was built in several factories, including Zmaj in Zemun, Rogožarski in Belgrade, and Albatros in Sremska Mitrovica.
The Fizir FN was esteemed for its outstanding low-speed stability, an essential feature for a training aircraft, and was known for being reliable and easy to maintain.
It was also popular as a sport aircraft.
The first prototype, known as the Fizir trainer, was developed in 1929 at the Rudolf Fizir Workshop in Petrovaradin.
Despite the workshop’s limited mass production capacity, it significantly contributed to the advancement of Yugoslav aeronautics and engineering education.
Many prototypes from this workshop were later manufactured in Yugoslav airplane factories.
The Fizir FN was a single-engine, two-seat biplane trainer with a pair of struts on each side.
Its wings had rounded tips, and it featured ailerons on both the lower and upper wings.
The landing gear, initially using coil springs with rubber blocks and later oleo pneumatic suspension, was fixed to the fuselage.
The aircraft’s wood structure was fabric-covered.
During its production life, the aircraft was continuously improved, leading to various sub-types with different engines.
During World War II, the aircraft produced in Yugoslavia were used by Italy in Albania and by the Independent State of Croatia.
Renowned for its reliability, ease of operation, and maintenance, the Fizir FN remained in service until nearly 1950, serving as a basic training aircraft in military and civilian aviation, including for recreational flying.
Variants
Fizir FN Mercedes
Mercedes 88 kW engine
Fizir FN Walter
Walter NZ-120 88 kW engine
Fizir FN Mars I
Seaplane with the Walter Mars I 106 kW engine
Specifications
Crew
2
Length
8.80 m (28 ft 10 in)
Wingspan
11.20 m (36 ft 9 in)
Height
3.10 m (10 ft 2 in)
Wing area
32.50 m2 (349.8 sq ft)
Empty weight
820 kg (1,808 lb)
Gross weight
1,426 kg (3,144 lb)
Powerplant
1 × Walter NZ 120
7-cylinder radial,
88 kW (118 hp)
Propellers
2-bladed
Performance
Maximum speed
140 km/h (87 mph, 76 kn)
Cruise speed
120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
Range
540 km (340 mi, 290 nmi)
Service ceiling
6,500 m (21,300 ft).
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.
