IAR 79 The IAR 79 is a bi - engine bomber military reconnaissance aircraft with a wood and metal structure that saw service in World War II built under licence in Brasov Romania by Industria Aeronautică Română Development . In May 1937 , Romania ordered 24 Savoia - Marchetti SM . 79B bombers powered by two Romanian - built IAR K14 engines . This variant was designated SM - 79B and equipped the 1st Bomber Group ( 71st and 72nd Bomber Squadron ) . Second batch of aircraft were upgraded by replacing the IAR K14 engines with 1200 hp water cooled Junkers Jumo 211Da engines increasing the maximum speed from 350 km / h to 405 km / h . Eight of these new airplanes were ordered in Italy . They were designated JIS - 79B ( Jumo Italian S - 79B ) . But they didn ' t arrive until August 1941 . An additional 36 aircraft were license built in IAR factory in Brasov under designation IAR 79 JR ( Jumo Român ) . In the autumn of 1942 another order of 36 bombers was issued to the IAR factory . They were upgraded by replacing the Junkers Jumo 211Da engine with new Junkers Jumo 211F , a 1400 HP engine . Design . The IAR . 79 was a cantilever low - wing monoplane bimotor , with a retractable taildragger undercarriage . The fuselage of the IAR . 79 was made of a welded tubular steel frame and covered with duralumin in the forward section , duralumin and plywood on the upper fuselage surface , and fabric on all other surfaces The wings were of all - wood construction , with the trailing edge flaps and leading edge slats ( Handley - Page type ) to offset its relatively small size . The internal structure was made of three spars , linked with cantilevers and a skin of plywood . The wing had a dihedral of 2° 15 ' . Ailerons were capable of rotating through + 13 / - 26° , and were used together with the flaps in low - speed flight and in takeoff . Its capabilities were significantly greater than its predecessor , the SM . 79 , with over 1 , 850 kW ( 2 , 800 hp ) available and a high wing loading that gave it characteristics not dissimilar to a large fighter . The engines fitted to the main bomber version were two 750 kW ( 1000 hp ) IAR K14 radials , equipped with variable - pitch , all - metal three - bladed propellers . Speeds attained were around 430 km / h ( 270 mph ) at 4 , 250 m ( 13 , 940 ft ) , with a relatively low practical ceiling of 6 , 500 m ( 21 , 330 ft ) . Cruise speed was 373 km / h ( 232 mph ) at 5 , 000 m ( 16 , 400 ft ) , but the best cruise speed was 259 km / h / 161 mph ( 60 % power ) . The landing was characterized by a 200 km / h ( 120 mph ) final approach with the slats extended , slowing to 145 km / h ( 90 mph ) with extension of flaps , and finally the run over the field with only 200 m ( 656 ft ) needed to land ( 2 , 050 rpm , 644 Hg pressure ) . With full power available and flaps set for takeoff , the SM . 79 could be airborne within 300 m ( 980 ft ) . Operational service . Initial in 1938 S - 79Bs equipped the 1st Bomber Group ( 71st and 72nd Bomber Squadron ) . In July 1941 , one of the 2nd Bomber Group ' s squadrons , the 75th Bomber Squadron , was re - equipped with new JRS - 79B , These went on to fight in the battle of Odessa . In 1942 newer JIS - 79Bs were assigned to the 71st Squadron . The 72nd Squadron was re - equipped with JRS - 79B . The remaining older S - 79Bs were transferred to flying schools . In 1944 the 2nd Bomber Group ( 82nd and 83rd Squadron ) was re - equipped with IAR JRS - 79B1 . In October 1944 the 1st Bomber Group was reorganized ( 72nd and 82nd Squadron ) and sent to the front . This unit fought on until the end of the war in May 1945 .