Budapest acquired production rights for the RE-2000 and during 1940-1942 built a total of about 200 aircraft, known as MÁVAG Héja II. The II series was given a more reliable engine (the Re-2000 had been notorious for throwing pistons through the engine block), some armor protection, Telefunken radios, and Hungarian machine guns. A difficult plane to control, it saw service mainly on the Russian front, but from 1943 it was replaced by the faster and more potent Me-109.

Hungarian Héja II Fighter Plane

Winter of 1942/43, Don river bend, Russian Front - Hungarian soldiers (2nd Army) in trenches waiting for the enemy

Waiting in trenches 


The Reggiane Re-2000 was an Italian-made all metal, low-wing monoplane with a  retractable undercarriage and an enclosed cockpit.  Similar to the American P-35, this maneuverable interceptor/fighter flew for the first time in 1939. Built too late for mass adoption by the Italian air force,  Hungary was the main operator of the Re-2000, purchasing 70 units and naming the model as Heja (Hay-yaa)  or Hawk.
