Rogožarski LVT-1
Although the Spitfires re-fitted with German engines have received attention, the German engined Hurricane is less well known.
In the rearmament leadup to WWII Yugoslavia received approval for licence manufacture of the Hurricane Mk.I to supplement the Bf109's purchased from Germany. Production was started by the Rogožarski and Zmaj at factories around Belgrade. However as war became more of a certainty the Europe-wide shortage of aero-engines effected the Yugoslav industry who relied on imported engines. With a restriction on the ability to receive Merlin engines from Britain Rogožarski looked to other options. The Bf109 was already in service fitted with the Daimler DB 601, and so this engine was seen as a natural replacement for the Merlin in the Hurricane, as well as for future use in other Yugoslav aircraft in development.
The re-engining process for the Hurricane appears to have been relatively simple, and the first modified aircraft designated LTV-1 (Lovac Vazduhoplovno Tehnički 1 – Aeronautical Technical Fighter 1) was assembled by Rogožarski.
Performance of the aircraft was reported as being significantly better than either the basic Hurricane or Bf109E, and the aircraft was just commencing its test flight programme when the Axis invaded Yugoslavia. Details are sparce with the destruction wrecked by the invasion, but the prototype was pressed into immediate combat. Reports are that a Bf110 was forced down in combat by the LTV-1, but the aircraft was itself lost in action. With the invasion and Yugoslav surrender no further work was undertaken on the concept.
The plan had been for future Yugoslav Hurricane production to be to the new LTV-1 standard, while aircraft already in service could be modified at the factory during overhaul to fit the DB 601. Unfortunately the invasion cancelled these plans and the LTV-1 prototype remained just a one-off and a tantalising potential fighter.