Varga RMI-1 X/H
Photograph and model by Zane R Nobbs
Box design and box art by Zane R Nobbs
In the late 1930s Dr. György Jendrassik of Hungary had perfected the world's first turboprop jet engine, the Jendrassik Cs-1. In a period when turbojets, turbofans, gas-turbines, ramjets, therompropulsion units and ducted fans were being explored, the turboprop was yet another derivative. In the case of the turoprop the engine produces a jet thrust, as in the turbojet, but also turns a propellor either as a main- or auxiliary-power source. Typically the jet propulsion is 1/3 of the energy while the other 2/3 turns the air screw. The Ganz factory near Budapest began testing and producing these engines from 1939-1942. However, in order to flight test the Cs-1 it was realized early on that an airframe would be needed, so Dr. László Varga consented to construct an aircraft that would utilize two of the engines.
Jendrassik Cs-1 - Museum of Technology, Budapest, Hungary
It was agreed that the aircraft, although experimental, would be designed for reconnaissanse and as a "csatarepülőgép" - destoyer (attack/bomber) with a crew of three. Designated RMI-1 for Repülo Muszaki Intézet (Aviation Technical Institute) X/H (experimental), construction was completed with delays in engine development. One airframe was re-engined with two German DB 605 piston-engines being redesignated RMI-2 X/G (trainer) for training purposes. This aircraft was later mistaken for the RMI-1 X/H aircraft in English language sources, however, the RMI-1 X/H aircraft was retained for the Cs-1 turboprop engines. If one looks at all available photographs of the aircraft during construction and the wreckage, the engine exhausts for the DB 605 are nowhere to be found.
Varga RMI-1 X/H Testing of the Varga RMI-1 X/H with the Cs-1 engines began when construction was completed* by 5 August 1943. The aircraft achieved a minor "hop" flight in September of 1943 which resulted in damage to one of the damper rings (used to control the pitch of the turboprop blades). This along with inclement weather put a pause to the flight testing which was then scheduled to resume in 1944. In early summer of 1944 both the Varga RMI-1 X/H and Varga RMI-2 X/G aircraft were destroyed in an American bombing raid. Thus the world's first designed turboprop aircraft was lost.
*Fundamentals of Aircraft and Rocket Propultion, by Ahmed F El-Sayed, Springer Nature, London, UK, 2016, p. 534.
Varga RMI-1 X/H extended landing gear. Graphics by Zane R Nobbs
Varga RMI-2 X/G
The Hungarian Air Force filled the gap by producing the German Messerschmitt Me-210Cs (Revell, Italiari and BILEK 1/72) until the armistice with the Allies via the Soviet Union. The "Cs" designation was based on Hungarian production being done by Csepel Works of Manfred Weiss in Hungary.
Messerschmitt Me-210Cs. Illustration by Thorium
Messerschmitt Me-210 Luftwaffe
Dr. Varga's history is basically unknown once the Soviets entered Hungary. Dr. Jendrasik was forced to leave Hungary in 1947 partially for his anti-communist views. He emigrated to Argentina where he worked in aviation under General Peron after which he moved to the United Kingdom and worked with Metropolitan Vickers on gas-turbines. Later he started his own company and died in 1954.
Because of its unique historical significance and the number of requests by IRMA Members and site visitors, this aircraft has been selected to become IRMA Kit No. 4 Varga RMI-1 X/H.
Aircraft specifications
Engine: 2x Jendrassik Cs-1 Turboprop @1,000 h.p (986.30 h.p. English)
Wing Span: 51 ft, 6.5 in (15.70 m)
Length: 41 ft, 10 in (12.74 m)
Height: 18 ft, 5 in (5.50 m)
Weight: Empty 9,920.8 pounds (4,500 kg) / Loaded 14,330.05 pounds (6,500 kg)
Maximum Speed: 335.54 mph (540 km/h)
Ceiling: 32,808 ft (10,000 m)
Range: 1,864 miles (3,000 km)
Crew: 3 (pilot, navigator, observer/bombardier)
Armament: None. Planned: 661 lbs (300 kg) of bombs
References for this article:
A Magyar Királyi Honvédeség Fegyverzete (The Royal Hungarian Army Armaments), by Bonhardt Attila, Sárhidai Gyula, Winkler László, Zrínyi Kiadó, Budapest,1992.
Fundamentals of Aircraft and Rocket Propultion, by Ahmed F El-Sayed, Springer Nature, London, UK, 2016.
World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines, 5th Edition, by Bill Gunston, Sutton Publishing Ltd, Phoenix Mill, Gloucestershire, England, UK, 2006.
The Development of Jet and Turbine Aero Engines, 4th Edition, by Bill Gunston, Patrick, Sparkford, Somerset, England, UK, 2006.
Turbojet History and Development 1930-1960 Volume 2, USSR, USA, Japan, France, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy and Hungary, by Antony L Kay, Crowood Press, 2007
Flying Colors, by William Green and Gordon Swanborough, Squadron/Signal Publications, 1981
- Zane R Nobbs, copyright 2011, International Resin Modellers Association
Photo and model by Zane R Nobbs
