Ambrosini Rondone

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Ambrosini Rondone
Ambrosini F.7 Rondone II D-ECUN Schaffen-Diest 15.08.09R.jpg
F.7 Rondone II at an aircraft rally at Schaffen-Diest airfield (Belgium) in August 2009
RoleLight touring monoplane
National origin Italy
Manufacturer SAI Ambrosini
DesignerIng. Stelio Frati
First flight1951
Introduction1951
StatusStill in service
Number built20

The Ambrosini Rondone is an Italian-designed two/three-seat light touring monoplane of the early 1950s.

Contents

Development

The Rondone was created to satisfy the demand for a more contemporary touring aircraft from Italian private pilots and aero clubs. Stelio Frati prepared the basic design for the prototype two-seat F.4 Rondone I [1] which was built by CVV in 1951. This was followed by nine production examples produced by SAI Ambrosini in collaboration with Aeronautica Lombardi. [2]

The three-seat F.7 Rondone II first flew on 10 February 1954 and the prototype and nine production examples were built for Ambrosini by Legnami Pasotti. [2]

The Rondone is of conventional wooden construction with a plywood-covered one-piece single spar wing and a monocoque fuselage. The tricycle undercarriage is retractable. Two-position flaps and dual controls are fitted. The Rondone II has an extended cabin with additional rear side windows. [1]

F.4 Rondone I two-seater at Milan Linate airport in 1965 Ambrosini F.4 Rondone I LIN 31.07.65 edited-3.jpg
F.4 Rondone I two-seater at Milan Linate airport in 1965

Operational history

The Rondone was initially mainly sold to individuals and clubs in Italy, but examples later served in France and Germany. Several were still operational in 2009.

Variants

F.4 Rondone I prototype
Two-seater with a 65 hp (48 kW) Walter Mikron III. 1 built. [3]
F.4 Rondone I production aircraft
Two-seater with an 85 hp (63 kW) Continental C-85 or 90 hp (67 kW) Continental C-90. 10 built. [3]
F.7 Rondone II
Three-seater with a 90 hp (67 kW) Continental C90 or 135 hp (101 kW) Lycoming O-290-D2 engine. [4] [5] 10 built from new plus one converted from a F.4. Some were later fitted with a 100 hp (75 kW) Continental O-200 engine. [4]

Specifications (F.7 Rondone II with Lycoming engine)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1956-57 [5]

General characteristics

Performance

References

  1. 1 2 Green, 1965, p. 84
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Simpson, 2001, p. 38
  3. 1 2 Archive 1982, p. 67
  4. 1 2 Archive 1982, p. 69
  5. 1 2 Bridgman 1956, p. 171.
Bibliography