Ufag
| Company type | Public company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, Aircraft manufacturing |
| Founded | 1912 in Budapest, Hungary |
| Founder | Ganz Works and Manfred Weiss Works |
| Headquarters | Budapest , Hungary |
| Products | Aircraft, aircraft engines (Hiero engines) |
UFAG (in German, Ungarische Flugzeugfabrik A.G.; in Hungarian, Magyar Repülőgépgyár Rt. or "MARE") was an aircraft manufacturer from Hungary, founded in Budapest in 1912 by the collaboration of Ganz Works and Manfred Weiss Works. The firm produced both original aircraft designs and models built under licence from Lohner and Hansa-Brandenburg.
History
The inaugural Hungarian aircraft manufacturing facility was established in Budapest in 1912 through a partnership involving Ganz-Danubius, Weiss Manfréd factory, Hitelbank, and financier Camilio Castiglioni. Originally called the First Hungarian Airship and Aircraft Factory, its early production focused on licensed Lohner aircraft due to the absence of proprietary designs.
Viktor Wittmann served as the company’s initial director; he had acquired expertise in mechanical engineering and aviation manufacturing during his studies in Reims, France. Prior to his death in a 1915 demonstration accident, he conducted test flights for the Austro-Hungarian military aviation forces.
Without an airfield at the outset, UFAG transported assembled planes to Rákosmező for flight testing. As demand surged rapidly, operations were moved to Albertfalva where hangars and a grass airstrip were constructed.
With the incorporation of Hansa-Brandenburgische Flugzeug Werke as a part-owner, UFAG increased its output under the MARE and UFAG labels. The company produced a significant number—1,258 units—of German-designed Hansa-Brandenburg C.I aircraft, representing roughly one-quarter of the Austro-Hungarian Empire's World War I air fleet.
These aircraft featured wooden frames covered with fabric and were powered by UFAG-manufactured Hiero engines ranging from 160 to 230 horsepower. Armament typically consisted of one or two Schwarzlose machine guns modified for aerial use.
UFAG aircraft
(Ungarische Flugzeugfabrik Abteil Gesellschaft / Ungarische Flugzeugwerke Aktien Gesellschaft)
- UFAG 60.01
- UFAG 60.02 (D.I)
- UFAG 60.03 (C.II)
- UFAG series 160 - Hansa-Brandenburg C.II(U)
- UFAG series 61 - Hansa-Brandenburg C.I(U) equipped with Austro-Daimler 210hp engine
- UFAG series 161 - UFAG C.I
- UFAG series 62 - Hansa-Brandenburg G.I(U)
- UFAG series 63 - Hansa-Brandenburg C.I(U) powered by 160 hp Mercedes D.III
- UFAG series 64 - Hansa-Brandenburg C.I(U) with Austro-Daimler 210 hp engine
- UFAG series 66 - Hansa-Brandenburg C.II(U)
- UFAG series 67 - Hansa-Brandenburg C.I(U) fitted with Austro-Daimler 210 hp engine
- UFAG series 68 - Hansa-Brandenburg C.I(U) utilizing Austro-Daimler 210 hp engine
- UFAG series 69 - Hansa-Brandenburg C.I(U) powered by approximately 200 hp Hiero V-8
- UFAG series 169 - Hansa-Brandenburg C.I(U) with a 220 hp Benz Bz.IVas
- UFAG series 269 - Hansa-Brandenburg C.I(U) equipped with Austro-Daimler 210 hp engine
- UFAG series 369 - Hansa-Brandenburg C.I(U) featuring a 230 hp Hiero 6
- UFAG C.I
- UFAG C.II
- UFAG D.I