The Little Brother (IAR-80)

November 25, 2025

Timeframe: May to July 1943

Unit: Grupul 4 vanatoare, 49th Escadrila

Aircraft: IAR-80

Duration: 10 Missions

Author: Sandmarken

Required: IAR-80, Battle Of Kuban

Background: The 4th Fighter Group of the Royal Romanian Aeronautics (Grupul 4 vanatoare, Fortele Aeriene Regale Romane –ARR-) was first composed of 2 Squadrons (Escadrila) the 45th and 46th both equipped with the Polish PZL 11, and mainly tasked with training and home defense duties. In July ’42 they converted to the IAR-80 A which was a better performing plane, although inferior to most of its opponents. So it’s pilots didn’t take part in the offensive against the Soviet Union, but once the now famous 7th and most of the 8th fighter groups were decimated at Stalingrad and slowly rebuilding men and material (109G6 for the 7th and IAR-80 Cs for the 8th ), the 4th fighter group received a new squadron, the 49th , hastily converted to the better IAR-80 C, and was sent to the eastern front, where the axis forces were now retreating towards the Crimean peninsula, pushed back by a more and more strong and determined foe: The mighty Red Army.

A very big thank you to @AndreiTomescu who has done an incredible job with historical research, mission suggestions, writing many of the briefings and mission testing. Also a very big thank you to @Jaegermeister who has helped me alot with the editor, tested many of the missions, provided pictures and given feedback. This campaign would not be possible without their help!

Another thank you to @MarcoPegase44 and @Obelix from who I have borrowed some skins.

Install: Download the file, extract it and put the data folder in your main il2 folder.

File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R72qrERvkUT_92VmNRCR4MRlW_LkMBpD/view?usp=sharing (New version with fixes and improvements thanks to @Jaegermeister)

Some notes: A mission is complete when you land back at the airfield. In cases of emergency, all friendly airfields can be used.

Do not hide the HUD as it will give vital information about the mission!

Please tell me if you find bugs and I will fix it!

Edited November 25, 2025 by sandmarken

November 25, 2025

Mandatory for this campaign:

- Kuban module

- IAR 80/81 collector aircraft

Optional:

Romanian radio chatter, free, available in Mods section of this forum