From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Fiat AS.1 was a light touring aircraft developed in Italy in the late 1920s. It was a basic and conventional design: a parasol-wing monoplane with tailskid undercarriage and seating for two in tandem open cockpits. The type proved extremely popular, and the production run would eventually extend to over 500 machines, with roughly half of these purchased by the Italian Air Force as trainers and liaison aircraft. Construction was of wood throughout, covered by plywood, fabric, and (around the nose) metal. A later development, designated TR.1 featured a metal structure instead.
AS.1s were used successfully in a number of competitions and record-breaking events. In August 1929, they won the team event at Challenge 1929, and in January 1930, an AS.1 piloted by Renato Donati with mechanic Gino Capannini was used to set endurance, distance, and altitude records in its class (29 hr 4 min 14 sec, 2,746.2 km, and 6,782 m respectively). Two years later, Donati used a specially-engined example to set the seaplane altitude record in its class, then swapping wheels for pontoons, went on to set the equivalent landplane record also (7,363 m and 9,282 m). Long-distance feats included flights from Rome to Mogadishu and Vercelli to Tokyo (both by Francis Lombardi and Gino Capannini) and an aerial circumnavigation of Africa (27,600 km in 54 days by Francis Lombardi, Count Lodovico Mazzotti, and Mario Rasini).
[edit] Variants
- AS.1 - initial version with Fiat A.50 engine
- AS.1 Idro - floatplane version
- AS.1 Sci - ski-equipped version
- AS.2 - version with strengthened structure and Fiat A.50S engine
- TR.1 - version with metal structure and enclosed cabin
[edit] Specifications (AS.1)
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 6.10 m (20 ft 0 in)
- Wingspan: 10.40 m (34 ft 2 in)
- Height: 2.53 m (8 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: 17.5 m² (188 ft²)
- Empty weight: 450 kg (990 lb)
- Gross weight: 690 kg (1,520 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Fiat A.50, 67 kW (90 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 158 km/h (98 mph)
- Range: 1,000 km (620 miles)
- Service ceiling: 6,800 m (22,310 ft)
[edit] References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 383.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing, File 894 Sheet 18.
[edit] External links
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