AVIS I

During the course of 1931, the Central Repair Workshops at Szekesfehervar-Sosto began construction of the AVIS (Anderlik-Varga-Iskola-Sport) aircraft, ostensibly a single-seat trainer and sports aircraft, but, in fact, a fighter intended for use by the Legtiyi Hivatal (Aviation Department), the clandestine Hungarian air arm. An all-metal, single-bay, staggered biplane designed by Prof Elöd Abody-Anderlik, Laszlo Varga, Istvan Liszt and Deszo Fridrik, the first aircraft, the AVIS I, was completed and flown in 1933. Powered by a 420hp Manfred Weiss-built Jupiter VI nine-cylinder radial, intended armament being twin synchronised 7.62mm Gebauer machine guns, the AVIS I proved seriously underpowered, prompting major redesign as the AVIS II. The sole example of the AVIS I was eventually delivered to the flying school at Szombathely where it was to serve until 1936.