History of Hungarian Aviation

Hungary was one of the first countries in the world to create its own air force. Austro-Hungarian aces — József Kiss, István Féjes, and others — were fighting in the skies over Europe as far back as World War I. But after Austria-Hungary's defeat, the state was forbidden from even having military aviation. Despite this, Hungary began secretly rebuilding its air force under the cover of organizing aviation clubs. By 1938, when the ban was lifted, the forces had long since been formed and consisted of around seventy Italian CR.32 biplane fighters, plus a few German Junkers Ju 86 bombers.