Soko 522

The Soko 522 was designed by Yugoslav engineers Šostarić, Marjanović and Čurčić at the Ikarus Aircraft Factory in Zemun. The first prototype flew in February 1955. After the initial success of the new aircraft, production was transferred to the Soko aircraft factory in Mostar. Production lasted until 1961 and totalled 110 units. It was used as the primary trainer aircraft for the Yugoslav air force until it was retired in 1978.

It gained some fame for its role in war movies filmed in Yugoslavia during the 1960s and 1970s, where it was used to portray the Fw 190 German fighter. Some of its prominent movie roles were in the Yugoslav Oscar candidate Battle of Neretva and Kelly's Heroes, starring Clint Eastwood.

After retiring from military use, it was used by many air clubs around Yugoslavia and abroad. Today, there are no airworthy examples in any of the ex-Yugoslav republics. Some specimens were sold to civilian foreign customers and are still flying. The current price of these aircraft is estimated at US$100,000.

There is one airworthy Soko 522 in France, and another in the United States. There is also one other Soko 522 with the Dixie Wing Commemorative Air Force but it is currently grounded for repairs after making an emergency belly landing.

A preserved Soko 522 exhibited at the Museum of Aviation in Belgrade.

 Yugoslavia

• Yugoslav Air Force
  • 460th Light Combat Aviation Squadron (1961–1967)
  • 461st Light Combat Aviation Squadron (1961–1968, 1973–1977)
  • 462nd Light Combat Aviation Squadron (1961–1968, 1973–1977)
  • 463rd Light Combat Aviation Squadron (1961–1966)
  • 464th Light Combat Aviation Squadron (1961–1966)
  • 465th Light Combat Aviation Squadron (1961–1966)

John Magoffin of Tucson, Arizona, owns and flies his Soko 522 from Avra Valley airport as of May, 2011.

Serbia

• Museum of Aviation (Belgrade), Belgrade

Three Soko 522 are on display.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Mostar Airport in Mostar

One Soko 522 gate guard.

Slovenia

• Pivka Park of Military History, Pivka

One unrestored Soko 522.

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 9.20 m (30 ft 2 in)
• Wingspan: 11.00 m (36 ft 1 in)
• Height: 3.58 m (11 ft 9 in)
• Gross weight: 1,089 kg (2,400 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp air-cooled radial engine, 450 kW (600 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 351 km/h (218 mph, 190 kn)
• Range: 978 km (608 mi, 528 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 7,000 m (23,000 ft)

Armament

• 2 x 7.9 mm machine guns
• 4 x 50 kg bombs

• Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1961.
• 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.