The first IK-3 prototype was flown in May of 1938 though this developmental form was fitted with a Hispano-Suiza 12 Y29 series engine of 910 horsepower. Performance and handling were all deemed strong points of the design and further testing ensued. An initial production order of 12 aircraft was on the books by then though the project experienced a serious setback in 1939 when a test flight resulted in the loss of the prototype - this killed the pilot at the controls who was unable to bring his plane out of a dive. The unfortunate accident led to a delay in formal production set to begin at Rogozarski until the matter was settled. Once the airframe was cleared of any engineering faults, the production schedule was enacted with six production-quality aircraft being completed. These were delivered to awaiting Yugoslav elements in March of 1940. Follow-up deliveries of this initial order commenced in the months following with a further order of 25 aircraft in the works. Furthermore, Yugoslavia had entered into talks with Turkey for local-license production of the promising aircraft.
By this time on the world stage, Adolf Hitler had consolidated his power across German politics and earned the loyalty of the military - setting about plans to dominate half of Europe within thenext few years. His direction took over the nations of Czechoslovakia, Poland, Belgium, Holland, Netherlands, Norway and France before turning his attention to Yugoslavia - the invasion beginning on April 6th, 1941. A combined force (made up of Germany, Italy and Hungary elements) emerged from neighboring Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Italy as Axis forces struck a decisive victory against the unfortunate Yugoslavians.
During the Axis invasion, only six IK-3 fighters were in operational condition and these few models were put to the test. In practice, the aircraft attributed themselves quite well considering the circumstances. The IK-3 was noted for its agility, handling, flight characteristics and appropriate firepower. Reliability and the inherent power of the engine proved sound even when pitted against the might of the German Luftwaffe. As many as 11 enemies are said to have been downed in the fighting, a testament to the Yugoslavian design as well as pilot prowess. Despite the valiant attempts to defend their homeland, the Yugoslavian Air Force proved no match for Axis numbers, experience and tactics. The invasion ended on April 17th, 1941 with the surrender of the Yugoslavian Army - effectively bringing an end to Yugoslavia as a nation itself. Croatia took its place and other territories making up the former country were divided and occupied by the victors until Soviet "liberation" in 1944.
Only two IK-3 fighters managed to survive the invasion by the end of the fighting. However, Yugoslavian personnel saw to their destruction rather than leave the technology in enemy hands. The remaining 25 IK-3 aircraft on order were only half-completed at the time of the fall of Yugoslavia, bringing an end to the short-lived operational service life of the Rogozarski IK-3. Yugoslavian engineers were also considering evermore powerful engines should the Axis invasion never have disrupted development. The post-war Ikarus S-49 was developed from the pre-war IK-3 of which 158 were produced, becoming the first Yugoslavian fighter development of the post-war world.
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