VEF I-14

The VEF I‑14 was a Latvian single‑engine trainer‑fighter built in the late 1930s by the State Electrotechnical Factory (VEF) in Riga. Designed by the renowned aircraft engineer Kārlis Irbits (Irbitis), the I‑14 was intended to replace the aging I‑8 series and give the Latvian Air Force a modern, low‑cost aircraft capable of both primary training and limited combat duties. The prototype, VEF’s first all‑metal monoplane, first flew on 3 June 1939 from the Spilve airfield. Its structure combined a welded steel‑tube fuselage with aluminum skin over the wings, and it was powered by a 220 hp Walter Minor engine driving a two‑bladed propeller. The aircraft featured a sleek low‑wing layout, fixed split‑type landing gear, and a fully enclosed cockpit with dual controls, providing excellent visibility and handling for novice pilots. Although flight trials demonstrated good maneuverability and reliable performance, the outbreak of World War II and the Soviet occupation halted further production. The I‑14 remains significant as the last indigenous Latvian combat‑type design before the war, showcasing VEF’s engineering capabilities and contributing to the development of Baltic aviation heritage. Today, restored photographs and scale models keep the memory of the I‑14 alive among aviation enthusiasts worldwide.

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