Aeronautica Lombarda AL-12P

The Aeronautica Lombarda AL-12P (also known as the Ambrosini AL-12P) was a Second World War Italian transport glider built by the Aeronautica Lombarda for the Italian Army.[1]

AL-12P
Role Transport glider
National origin Italy
Manufacturer Aeronautica Lombarda
Designer A. Ambrosini
First flight 1943
Primary user Italian Army
Number built 16

Design and development
The Aeronautica Lombarda AL-12P in flight

The AL-12P was designed by A. Ambrosini and was a high-wing cantilever monoplane with a wood-ribbed fuselage covered with stressed molded plywood.[1] It wing had a foliated spruce plywood spar and was covered with plywood although the ailerons were fabric covered.[1] It also had large slotted spoilers that could be opened perpendicular above and below the wing.[1] The pilot and co-pilot sat side by side in the nose which made from plywood-covered welded steel tubes and was hinged to allow cargo to be loaded into the fuselage, a passenger door was fitted on the right hand side of the fuselage.[1] It could carry 12 fully equipped troops or the equivalent weight in equipment.[1] The company built 16 AL-12Ps for the Italian Army.[1]

Ambrosini P.512
A 3-view drawing of the P.512 illustrating the engine installation and revised undercarriage

After World War II, S.A.I.-Ambrosini modified at least one AL-12P to be powered by 2x 167.78 kW (225 hp) Alfa Romeo 115ter six-cylinder air-cooled engines and fitted with a revised undercarriage with shock absorber struts attached to the engine nacelles braced by V-struts from the fuselage sides.[2]

Specifications (AL-12P / P.512)

Data from Mrazek[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 (pilot, co-pilot)
  • Capacity: 12 fully equipped troops, (P.512) 1,600 kg (3,527 lb)
  • Length: 14.02 m (46 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 21.34 m (70 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 3.4 m (11 ft)
  • Wing area: 50.7 m2 (546 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,588 kg (3,500 lb) , (P.512) 2,000 kg (4,410 lb)
  • Gross weight: 2,812 kg (6,200 lb) , (P.512) 3,600 kg (7,937 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Alfa Romeo 115ter 6-cyl. inverted in-line air-cooled piston engines, 168 kW (225 hp) each (P.512)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed metal variable-pitch propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 249 km/h (155 mph, 135 kn) (P.512)
  • Cruise speed: 230 km/h (143 mph, 124 kn) (P.512)
  • Minimum control speed: 85 km/h (53 mph, 46 kn) (P.512) with flaps, (P.512) without flaps 97 km/h; 52 kn (60 mph)
  • Range: 500 km (310 mi, 270 nmi) (P.512) with a payload of 1,275 kg (2,810 lb), (P.512) 499 km; 269 nmi (310 mi) with a payload of 748 kg (1,650 lb)

1,240 miles.

  • Service ceiling: 2,100 m (6,900 ft) (P.512) on one engine
  • Rate of climb: 4.9 m/s (970 ft/min) (P.512)
  • Wing loading: 71 kg/m2 (14.5 lb/sq ft) (P.512)
  • Power/mass: 0.09 kW/kg (0.057 hp/lb) (P.512)

See also

References

Note
  1. Mrazek, James E. (2011). Airborne Combat - The Glider War/Fighting Gliders of WWII. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, United States: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-0808-1.
  2. Green, William (11 November 1948). "Italian Freighter: The S.A.I. - Ambrosini P.512 Twin". Flight: 570. Retrieved 30 March 2013.

Bibliography
  • Mrazek, James E. (2011). Airborne Combat - The Glider War/Fighting Gliders of WWII. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, United States: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-0808-1.
  • Green, William (11 November 1948). "Italian Freighter: The S.A.I. - Ambrosini P.512 Twin". Flight: 570. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
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