Ambrosini SAI.403

SAI.403 Dardo
The SAI.403 Dardo prototype with German Luftwaffe markings after its seizure by the Germans.
Role	Light fighter
Manufacturer	Ambrosini
First flight	1943
Number built	1
Developed from	Ambrosini SAI.207

The Ambrosini SAI.403 Dardo ("Dart") was a light fighter aircraft built in Italy during World War II.

Design and development

SAI.403 Dardo was a considerably refined version of the SAI.207, designed during the delays in that type's development. The improvements induced the Ministero dell' Aeronautica in 1943 to cancel its order for 2,000 of the SAI.207 so as to order 3,000 of the SAI.403 instead (800 from Ambrosini, 1,000 from Caproni, and 1,200 from Savoia-Marchetti). Apart from the fighter's superlative performance, its all-wood construction was attractive at a time when Italy was facing a shortage of strategic materials. However, by the time of the Armistice, the first of these was yet to leave the factory.

Operational history

The single prototype (MM.518) was seized by the Germans and evaluated by the Luftwaffe at Vergiate. Japanese pilots then stationed in Germany were also given a chance to fly the aircraft, with the result that it was ordered into production by both Heinkel and Mitsubishi. None of these flew before the end of the war either.

Variants

SAI.403A

Point-defense fighter (gross weight 2,478 kg/5,460 lb) armed with 2 × 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns.

SAI.403B

Standard fighter (gross weight 2,643 kg/5,830 lb) armed with 2 × 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns and 2 × 15 mm MG 151/15 cannons or 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 guns.

SAI.403C

Long-range fighter with 2 × 20 mm cannons and an extra 300 L (66 imp gal, 71 us gal) for a total range of 2,320 km (1,440 mi).

Operators

 Germany

• Luftwaffe (captured)

 Kingdom of Italy

• Regia Aeronautica

Specifications (prototype)

General characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Length: 8.20 m (26 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 9.00 m (32 ft 2 in)
• Height: 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 14.5 m² (156 ft²)
• Empty weight: 1,985 kg (4,376 lb)
• Gross weight: 2,643 kg (5,830 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Isotta-Fraschini Delta inverted V uprated, 750 kW (1000 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 648 km/h (400 mph)
• Range: 936 km (584 miles)
• Service ceiling: 10,000 m (32,800 ft)
• Rate of climb: 15.9 m/s (3,120 ft/min)

Armament

• 2× 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns
• 2× 15 mm MG 151/15 cannons or 2× 20 mm MG 151/20 guns

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ambrosini SAI.403.

Notes

Bibliography