Aerfer Sagittario 2

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Sagittario 2
Ambrosini (Aerfer) Sagittario 2 MM560 LeB 29.05.57.jpg
Sagittario 2 MM560 in Italian Air Force markings at the 1957 Paris Air Salon
General information
TypePrototype fighter
Manufacturer Aerfer
Primary user Italian Air Force
Number built2
History
First flight19 May 1956
Developed from Ambrosini Sagittario
Developed into Aerfer Ariete

The Aerfer Sagittario 2 (Italian for sagittarius ) was a prototype all-metal single-seat lightweight fighter aircraft built in Italy by Aerfer, intended to serve as an interceptor or light tactical support aircraft. First flown in 1956, it became the first Italian aircraft to break the sound barrier in controlled flight when it reached Mach 1.1 during a dive from 13,725 m (45,000 ft).

Contents

Design and development

The Sagittario 2 was based on the earlier Sagittario, which was itself a development of the S.7 piston-engined training aircraft that went into service with the Italian Air Force in small numbers.

A small all-metal aircraft, the Sagittario 2 had its jet engine mounted in the nose, with the exhaust underneath the mid-fuselage. The wing and tail surfaces were highly-swept. The cockpit was moved forward of its position on the Sagittario's predecessors, and equipped with a bubble canopy. A tricycle undercarriage was fitted, with the nose gear retracting under the engine.

Development continued as the Ariete.

Operators

Flag of Italy.svg  Italy

Specifications (Sagittario 2)

The Hispano-Suiza HSS 825 autocannons as mounted in the Sagittario 2. 30 mm HSS 825 Sagittario 2.png
The Hispano-Suiza HSS 825 autocannons as mounted in the Sagittario 2.

Data fromJane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59 [2]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. "Aerfer Sagittario II". Aeronautica Militare. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  2. Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1958). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59. London: Jane's All the World's Aircraft Publishing Co. Ltd. p. 187.
  3. "I Caccia Supersonici Italiani, I Gioielli Di Sergio Sefanutti". Archived from the original on 2021-06-13. Retrieved 2021-06-13.

Bibliography