SIA 7

SIA 7
S.I.A. 7B - Signal Corps Photo 3433/United States National Archives
Role Reconnaissance-bomber
National origin Italy
Manufacturer Società Italiana Aviazione
Designer Torretta and Carlo Maurilio Lerici
First flight summer 1917
Introduction 1917
Primary users Italian Military Aviation Service
American Expeditionary Force
Number built 572[1]

The SIA 7B was a biplane reconnaissance-bomber built by the Società Italiana Aviazione and served with the Italian Military Aviation Service and American Expeditionary Force in 1917.

Contents

Development

The engineers, Torretta and Carlo Maurilio Lerici of the Fiat company, designed the airplane as a "Jack of all trades", its speed, climbing power, and carrying capacity enabled it to be used as a bomber and racer.[2] It was built in the workshops of the Societa Italiano Aviazione, a sister company to the famous motor-car firm F.I.A.T. of Turin.[2] It used the standard Italian structural feature of a plywood-covered fuselage.[3]

The SIA.7B was accepted for the Italian Air Force in November 1917 and entered mass production. There were however revealed its shortcomings, like low wing structure durability and poor view[1]. Next variant SIA.7B2, developed in December 1917, had strengthened wings, slightly raised cockpits and stronger engine. Another variant, built in February 1918, was the SIA.9 with stronger 700 hp engine. There were built 501 SIA.7B, 71 SIA.7B2 and 62 SIA.9B[1].

Operational history

The SIA.7 family aircraft were used for reconnaissance and bombing raids on Austro-Italian front. The SIA.7B2 entered service in March 1918. The SIA.9 managed to take part in Word War I service as well. Because of unsatisfactory durability, from July 1918 SIA.7B and 7В2 were moved to training units.

In 1917, the Italian government sent a pair of SIA 7B-1 aircraft to the United States for evaluation under a plan to mass-produce established European designs. The 7B-1 was not put into production in the US but 19 were bought in Italy for use by A.E.F. units sent there.[3]

Variants

SIA 7B1
main reconnaissance-bomber variant
SIA 7B2
improved reconnaissance-bomber variant
SIA R2
scout-bomber built in 1918, span 12.32 m (40 ft 5 in), length 8.75 M (28 ft 8 in), height 3.3 m (120 ft 10 in), speed 180 km/h (111.8 mph)[2]
SIA 9B
two-seat reconnaissance-bomber 700 hp (522 kW) Fiat A.14 engine[2]

Operators

 Italy
 United States

Specifications (7B)

Data from "United States Military Aircraft Since 1909"[3]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

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See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h SIA.7(9) at Ugolok Neba (Russian)
  2. ^ a b c d Taylor, 2001, Page 207
  3. ^ a b c Swanborough & Bowers, 1964, page 559.
  4. ^ Fahey, 1946, page 12
  5. ^ Loaded weight 1,100 kg according to Ugolok Neba

References