Ansaldo SVA5

Just curious about some info on this bird? Looked up some history on it and saw that it wasn't a popular fighter, even though it seems that's what it was designed for. Did it have performance problems when compared to other foreign ships favored by the Italians like the Nieuport 11 and HD-1? How many squadrons used them for mounts and what ended up being their primary role? Thanks.

[Rob_Owens]

HD, according to Signore Cattaneo, author of the The Ansaldo Scouts Profile, though fast and long-ranged, the Ansaldo wasn't what the Italian fighter pilots wanted, being used to nimbler aircraft (somewhat like WWII Japanese Army & Navy pilots initially rejected anything that didn't turn like the Hayabusa and the A6M). Once the SVA's qualities were demonstrated, it naturally filled the role of long-range bombing/recce, 'cause there wasn't much that could catch it or out-range it, somewhat like the DH Mossie of WWII. Hth, and if I'm all wet in my analysis, other forumites will undoubtedly chime in to set me straight Regards, Rob

[Rob_Owens]

Also, according to the Windsock Datafile, the fighter pilot's chief complaints were: lack of visibility from the cockpit ("Lose Sight, Lose Fight"), and that the guns were too far forward from the 'pit (jams couldn't be cleared in flight), two very important considerations for the WWI fighter pilot. Gotta love that pretty mahogany fuselage, though! Rob

There were all versions of the SVA built, from SVA 1 to SVA 10, but many of them are difficult to identify.Generally, the main single-seater variants were refused as fighters (it was way too big and cumbersome) and were used for strategic reconnaissance, and in that role they also did claim a few air victories. In the final part of the war all bomber versions, both single- and twin-seat were introduced. However, one should not forget that a large quantity of SVA were assigned as fighters (interceptors) for home defence squadrons, mainly of the SVA 3 and SVA 6 versions. The SVA 3 had shorter span, the SVA 6 had an overwing Fiat gun, on account of the fact that the Fiat could not be synchronized and there were not enough Vickers guns. To the best of my knowledge, home defence squadrons never intercepted anything.