Ambrosini SAI.10

The Ambrosini SAI.10 Grifone ("Griffon") was a military trainer aircraft produced in small numbers for the Italian Regia Aeronautica early in World War II.

SAI.10 Grifone
SAI.10 Grifone
Role Military trainer
Manufacturer Ambrosini
Designer Camillo Silvia
First flight 1939
Primary user Regia Aeronautica
Number built 10

History

With the approach of war, the Ministero dell' Aeronautica began a programme to increase the number of pilots available, and ordered a prototype primary trainer from Ambrosini. This aircraft, a parasol monoplane of mixed construction, first flew on July 8, 1939, with Guiliano Ferrari at the controls. A production batch of 50 was ordered, but this was quickly reduced to just 10 machines, all of which were delivered in 1940.[1]

Variants

Production aircraft differed by having a Fiat A.50 radial engine in place of the prototype's CNA D. Other engine fits that were tried included an example with a Siemens-Halske Sh 14, and one with an Alfa Romeo 110; this latter machine was designated SAI.11. Another experimental development that did not enter production was a float-equipped SAI.10 Gabbiano ("Seagull").

Operators
 Kingdom of Italy

Specifications
SAI.10 Gabbiano floatplane

Data from Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930–1945[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two, pilot and instructor
  • Length: 6.50 m (21 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.30 m (33 ft 9.5 in)
  • Height: 2.10 m (6 ft 10.75 in)
  • Wing area: 14.3 m2 (154 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 400 kg (880 lb)
  • Gross weight: 615 kg (1,353 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Fiat A.50 radial , 63 kW (85 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 187 km/h (116 mph, 101 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 161 km/h (100 mph, 87 kn)

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ambrosini SAI.10.
  1. Taylor 1989, p. 57
  2. Thompson 1963, pp. 10–11.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
  • Thompson, Jonathan W. (1963). Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930–1945. Aero Publishers.
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