Soko 522

infobox Aircraft
name = Soko 522
type = training and light fighting aircraft
manufacturer = SOKO



caption =
designer = Sostaric, Marjanovic and Curcic
first flight = February 1955
introduced = 1955
retired = 1978
status =
primary user = Yugoslav Air Force
more users =
produced =
number built = approx. 110
unit cost = 100.000 $
variants with their own articles =

Soko 522 is a two-seater, Yugoslavian military training and light fighting aircraft produced in the mid 50’s by SOKO from Mostar, ex Yugoslavia, today Bosnia and Herzegovina.

History

Soko 522 was constructed by team of Yugoslav engeeniers Sostaric, Marjanovic and Curcic from the Ikarus Aircraft Factory in Zemun. The first prototype flew in February of 1955. After initial success with new aircraft, complete technical documentation was transferred to the Soko Aircraft factory in Mostar which was assigned to start serial production. Production lasted until 1961. and the total production number of this type of aircraft was 110. It was used in training units of Yugoslav Air force until 1978. when the remaining aircraft were transferred to the Air clubs for civil use.

Although quite a useful and reliable aircraft, it will be remembered not by its military service but by its role in many war movies filmed in Yugoslavia during the 60s and 70s. Because of its overall resemblance with Fw 190, it was used in movies to simulate German airplanes. Some of its prominent movie roles are surely role in movie "Battle of Neretva" which was Yugoslav candidat for Oscar, and "Kelly's Heroes" starring Clint Eastwood.

Preserved aircraft

After retiring from military use, Soko 522 was used by many air clubs around Yugoslavia. Today, there is no airworthy aircraft of this type in any of the ex Yugoslav republics. Some of the specimen were sold to foreign customers and are still flying. Current prise for this aircraft is 100.000 US dollars.

There is one airworthy Soko 522 is in France [http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1067894/M/] , another in the USA [http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0802111/M/] .There is also one other Soko 522 with the Dixie Wing Commemorative Air force [http://www.dixiewing.org/aircraft/other/index.htm] however after making an emergency belly landing it was sent for repairs and is currently not flyable.

Operators

*
** Yugoslav Air Force

pecifications (Soko 522)

aircraft specification

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
ref=]
crew= two
length main=8.77 m
length alt=
span main=11 m
span alt=
height main=3.69
height alt=
area main=17.98 m²
area alt=
empty weight main=2.020 kg
empty weight alt=
loaded weight main=
loaded weight alt=
max takeoff weight main=2.564kg
max takeoff weight alt=
engine (prop)=Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp
type of prop=air-cooled
number of props=1
power main=441 kW
power alt=600 hp
max speed main=333 km/h
max speed alt=
range main=605 km
range alt=
ceiling main=5.070 m
ceiling alt=
climb rate main=7.9 m/s
climb rate alt=
loading main=
loading alt=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
armament=
* 2 x 12.7 mm Colt Browning machineguns (2x150 bullets)
* 2 x 50 kg bombs

References:

* Illustrated history of aviation ’’Modern Ikars“, IRO Vuk Karadzic&Sluzbeni list SFRJ, Belgrade, 1989. ISBN 86-307-0088-2
* Yugoslavian Air Force and Air Defence, group of authors, VINC, Belgrade, 1989.