Savoia-Pomilio SP.3
The Savoia-Pomilio SP.3 was a reconnaissance and bomber aircraft built in Italy during the First World War.[1] It was a further development of the family of designs that had started with the SP.1. Ultimately all of these took their basic configuration from the Farman MF.11: a biplane with twin tails and a fuselage nacelle that accommodated the crew and a pusher-mounted engine.[2] However, since the preceding SP.2 had been found to be too slow and vulnerable in front-line service, the SP.3 was designed for higher performance.[2] The new design had a reduced wingspan, lower weight, and the aerodynamics of the fuselage nacelle were improved.[2] Some were also equipped with an improved version of the Fiat A.12 engine, with its power output increased from 190 kW to 220 kW (250 hp to 300 hp)
SP.3 | |
---|---|
Role | Reconnaissance and bomber aircraft |
National origin | Italy |
Manufacturer | SIA, Pomilio |
Designer | Umberto Savoia and Ottorino Pomilio |
First flight | 1917 |
Number built | ca. 350 |
Developed from | Savoia-Pomilio SP.1 |
The SP.3 flew in 1917 and was soon in production with SIA and Pomilio, who together built around 350 of them.[3] By summer 1917, one quarter of all Italian front-line aviation units were equipped with Savoia-Pomilio types.[2]
Specifications
Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft p.2898
General characteristics
- Crew: Two, pilot and observer
- Length: 10.95 m (35 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 14.70 m (48 ft 3 in)
- Height: 3.55 m (11 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 60 m2 (646 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 1,048 kg (2,310 lb)
- Gross weight: 1,498 kg (3,303 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Fiat A.12 , 190 kW (250 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 145 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn)
- Range: 450 km (280 mi, 240 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,400 ft)
Armament
- 1 × 7.62 mm machine gun
- light bombs
Notes
- Taylor 1989, p.793
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft p.2897
- Gunston 1993, p.269
References
- Gunston, Bill (1993). World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.