ICAR Acrobatic

The ICAR Acrobatic, produced by Întreprinderea de Construcții Aeronautice Românești (ICAR) in the late 1930s, became a hallmark of Romanian ingenuity in sport aviation. Designed as a single‑seat, low‑wing monoplane, the aircraft first flew in 1938 and was promptly adopted by local aerobatic clubs and the national military’s display teams. Its wooden fuselage, covered with fabric, incorporated a streamlined, semi‑elliptical wing that offered excellent roll rate and maneuverability. Powered by a 120 hp de Havilland Gipsy Major engine, the Acrobatic achieved a maximum speed of 240 km/h, a climb rate of 5 m/s, and could sustain sustained inverted flight for several minutes, features that set it apart from contemporary European trainers.

The aircraft’s lightweight construction and responsive controls made it ideal for pilots mastering complex figures such as loops, barrel rolls, and snap rolls. Its success bolstered Romania’s reputation for producing capable sport aircraft during a period when most domestic production focused on utility and military types. Though production ceased after World War II, the ICAR Acrobatic remains celebrated in Romanian aviation history as a symbol of technical daring and the nation’s early contribution to aerobatic flight development.

Întreprinderea de Construcții Aeronautice Românești

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification