Aeronautica Lombarda AL-12P

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


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]

Design and development

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 WWII, 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

Performance

1,240 miles.

See also


References

Note

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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. 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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