The SIM-X was designed by Sima Milutinović at the beginning of 1936 drawing on positive experiences of its predecessors SIM-II and SIM-VIII. The prototype was designed in the Rogožarski factory from August to the end of the 1936. The first test flight took place in 1936 when the aircraft was also registered by Rogožarski factory under the code YU-PDY.[2] After detailed test flights had been performed, it was offered to the Yugoslav air force for further tests, which were carried out at the Novi Sad school for pilots. The committee found certain minor flaws but, other than those, it was given an exceptional rating. The SIM-X which was intended for civilian use, sport pilot training, demonstration and tourist flights, was classified by the air force as "a school monoplane, two-seater for the initial training of pilots."
The SIM-X was a single engine, high monoplane parasol wing, with a wooden double-shaft propeller, for two crew members seated in tandem. Although it was envisioned that it would be possible to fit with three different engines: 120 hp Walter NZR, 110 hp Siemens and 120 hp de Havilland Gypsy Major, production aircraft were fitted with the air-cooled radial Walter NZR with a reduction gear. The engines were produced by the S. Vlajković factory Belgrade.
It was mostly of wooden construction, the elliptical cross-section fuselage was entirely made of wood and covered with plywood, and the wings were a wooden structure covered with cloth, with rounded ends. On each side, the wings were supported by a pair of inclined struts which relied on the fuselage. The fuel tank was located in the central part between the wings, that is, at their junction. Landing gear was fixed, no axles, completely made of steel pipe characterized by great strength which enabled the aircraft to land on very rugged terrain.
The first series of 10 SIM-X aircraft were delivered to the YRAF in 1937. Serial production aircraft were slightly different from the prototype, mainly in the appearance of the NACA cowling. The second series - also of 10 - was ordered in 1938. Initially, the aircraft was used in military pilot schools as a transition aircraft from the Zmaj Fizir FN basic training aircraft to more powerful machines (Zmaj Fizir FP-2 and PVT), and later it was used as the school plane for the initial training of military pilots. Military service of the aircraft began in 1937 when it was first used in pilot schools and later a number of these aircraft was deployed at the training squadrons. The YRAF command assigned three brand new SIM-X aircraft to Aeroclub in 1938. These were used for the training of civil and sport pilots.[6] There were five planes of this type in Aeroclub at the time, however just before the war broke out all SIM-X aircraft were redeployed. The majority of the SIM-X aircraft were destroyed during the 1941 Invasion of Yugoslavia by the Germans and Italians. The German forces captured three aircraft (one in Zemun and two in Lazarevac). One of these was delivered to the air force of the Croatian Independent State and used until 1943 when it was destroyed by the Srem partisans in emergency landing.
Type |
2-seat trainer |
Engine |
1 Walter NZR, 2-bladed prop. |
Dimensions |
Length 6,96 m , height 2,70 m , span 10,00 m , wing area 18,50 m ,
|
Weights |
Empty 543 kg, loaded 785 kg |
Performance |
Max.. speed 202 km/h , cruising speed 168 km/h , range 560 km, service ceiling 5500 m , climb 4,17 m/sec., stall speed 72 km/h |
Type |
Werk.Nr |
Registration |
History |
|
|
|
|
Serial c/no |
Prev. Identity |
Delivered |
Fate/ |
Notes |
3011 |
YU-PDY |
1937 |
First reg'd 1936 |
To JKRV 1937 |
3022 |
YU-PDZ |
1937 |
First reg'd 1937 |
To JKRV |
1937 |
|
1937 |
|
|
303 |
|
1937 |
|
|
304 |
|
1937 |
|
|
305 |
|
1937 |
|
|
306 |
|
1937 |
|
|
307 |
|
1937 |
|
|
308 |
|
1937 |
|
|
309 |
|
1937 |
|
|
310 |
|
1937 |
|
|
311 |
|
1937 |
|
|
312 |
|
1938 |
|
|
313 |
|
1938 |
|
|
314 |
|
1938 |
|
|
315 |
|
1938 |
|
|
316 |
|
1938 |
|
|
317 |
|
1938 |
|
|
318 |
|
1938 |
|
|
31919 |
YU-PFJ |
1938 |
To Yug. Royal Aero Club Aug 1938 |
|
32020 |
YU-PFK |
1938 |
To Yug. Royal Aero Club Aug 1938 |
|
32121 |
YU-PFL |
1938 |
To Yug. Royal Aero Club Aug 1938 |
|