Breguet XIX was appeared just after the WW 1 and originally fitted with a 450hp Bugatti engine and displayed in this form at the Salon Aeronautique of 1921. Being impressed with new warplane, general Uzelac order two samples of this brand new plane. French kindly delivered this planes and one of this was used by Gen. Stanojlovic [natural metal livery].
In
1924 Kingdom of Serbs, Croat and Slovenian [ later changed in
Yugoslavia] placed order of 150 Breguet XIX. This fleet feel the
strength of the force and first large unit to be formed, 3. air regiment
in Skoplje, was equipped with the type. Initially Breguet XIX saw
service as a bomber and reconnaissance.
Alongside with order of planes, contract was made of license assembly and manufacturing in Kraljevo. Deal was for delivery at least 425 planes from the new built factory. In March 1928 first batch of assembled planes were on delivery way and first Breguet XIX completely built in new factory was delivered in June 30. 1930.
After success of Breguet Bidon, some modifications had been taken and this included in new versions of the plane with enhanced capability. Samples on new redesign had rounded wing tips and possibility to load more fuel.
Yugoslav
Breguet XIX saw action in 1935 when 12 samples sent to Greece to help to
fight rebellions. In that time type slovenly begun to outdate and many
of them saw its active service as training planes. Due to it's great
number, plane was used in the various tasks and unit. Most of the air
staff's had a sample or more of Breguet XIX in its service. It was
preferred plane due to its very good handling characteristics. Pilots
gave him a nick "Bregejac".
Modernization started by the end of 1937 and until the mid of 1940 type disappeared from the first line unit. New formed Army Aviation employ the type and 86 samples were in the order. All of them was of new type, equipped with Hispano Suiza 650 of Wright Cyclone powerplant. Rest of the great fleet was scraped or used on second line duties.
In the April war Army aviation had some limited success in combat. One of the Army group was from the same beginning flew to Greece and take operation from there. Few targets, including or amour column, was strafed. After the collapse in war a number of samples from various unit was captured and used by axis. Few samples [some source stated two] survived the war but was scraped later.
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