Aeronautica Umbra AUT. 18
| Aeronautica Umbra AUT. 18 | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Fighter plane |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: |
Aeronautica Umbra SA |
| First flight: |
July 22, 1939 |
| Number of pieces: |
1 |
The Aeronautica Umbra AUT 18 was an Italian prototype fighter from 1939.
history
The AUT 18 was developed at Aeronautica Umbra SA in Foligno by engineer Felice Trojani. Trojani had previously worked for Umberto Nobile on his Arctic flights with the airship Norge .
From 1935 onwards, Aeronautica Umbra SA produced various Italian aircraft for other manufacturers, such as the Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 , Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 and Savoia-Marchetti SM.84 . From 1936 the Italian Air Force Regia Aeronautica was looking for a successor to the outdated Fiat CR.32 and Trojani took part in this tender with his prototype AUT 18.
The AUT 18 was an all - metal low- wing aircraft with an outer skin made of duralumin . The prototype received the registration number MM.363 . He had a 1044 hp 18-cylinder double radial engine Fiat A.80 RC41. Its armament consisted of two 12.7 mm machine guns Breda-SAFAT inserted in the wings, which was unusual for Italian fighters of the time, as their machine guns were previously installed in the fuselage.
The prototype first flew on July 22, 1939 at Guidonia Airport in the Lazio region . This was much later than the competition aircraft Macchi MC.200 , Reggiane Re.2000 and Fiat G.50 . The aircraft then underwent further engine modifications and flew further tests in 1940.
Series production never started; Political maneuvers were also suspected as reasons in addition to the late delivery. The prototype of the AUT 18 was nevertheless delivered on November 5, 1940. Little is known about the fate of the machine. Trojani believed the machine had been transferred to Germany for tests, others believe that the machine was destroyed in an attack on the city of Orvieto .
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 1 |
| length | 8.56 m |
| span | 12.50 m |
| height | 2.88 m |
| Wing area | 18.70 m² |
| Wing extension | |
| Empty mass | 2320 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 2975 kg |
| Top speed | 480 km / h at an altitude of 5,000 m |
| Service ceiling | 10,000 m |
| Range | 800 km |
| Engines | 1 × 18-cylinder double radial engine Fiat A.80 RC41, 1,044 PS (approx. 770 kW) |
| Armament | 2 × 12.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine guns |
literature
- F. Trojani: La coda di Minosse , Mursia, Milano 1964
- L. Cesari: Una fabbrica una storia , Pro Foligno, Foligno 2004
- R. Gentilli: L'aviazione da caccia italiana 1918–1939. Volume 2o: tecnica, stemmi, esportazioni , Ed.AI srl, Firenze 1982
Web links
- www.airwar.ru AUT 18 (Russian)
- AERONAUTICA UMBRA AUSAT18 (Italian)