Breda A.7

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A.7
Type Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer Breda
Introduced 1929
Primary user Regia Aeronautica
Number built 14, plus 1 A.16

The Breda A.7 was a reconnaissance aircraft developed in Italy for use by the Regia Aeronautica in 1929. It was a braced parasol monoplane of conventional configuration with tailskid undercarriage. The pilot and observer sat in tandem, open cockpits. A single prototype of a long-range example, originally designated A.7 Raid and later A.16 (or Ba.16) was also constructed, but the air force showed no interest in it.


[edit] Variants

  • A.7LD prototypes - Two prototypes, powered by a 400-hp (298-kW) Lorraine-Dietrich piston engine. (2 built).
  • A.7 - Production version. Two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, powered by a 510-hp (380-kW) Isotta-Fraschini Asso piston engine, and fitted with a revised cooling system and empennage (12 built).
  • A.7 Raid (later A.16 or Ba.16) - Long-range version, powered by Asso 500 AQ engine. Engine later changed to a Bristol Jupiter VII and an extra seat added.

[edit] Operators


[edit] Specifications (A.7)

General characteristics

  • Crew: two, pilot and observer
  • Length: 9.22 m (30 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 15.18 m (49 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 3.14 m (10 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 43.0 m² (463 ft²)
  • Empty weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
  • Gross weight: 2,500 kg (5,511 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Isotta-Fraschini Asso piston engine, 380 kW (510 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 235 km/h (146 mph)
  • Range: 1,200 km (746 miles)
  • Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,325 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 4.6 m/s (905 ft/min)

Armament

  • 1 × rearward-firing, trainable .303 Lewis gun for observer

[edit] References

  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 195. 
  • World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing, File 890 Sheet 77. 


[edit] See also

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