Questions on Italian aircraft manufacturers

[paolomiana]

Ciao Erri,

I'll see you've just joined us.... welcome! If you don't mind, I immediately start to bother you ....

I'm writing a book about development of aviation technology in Italy during WWI, and I need to read some papers that apparently are only there; there's only a little problem: apparently to have access to their library you had to have a presetation from one of the Accademia members.......

Is there any chance that you're able or you know someone able to grant access to "Accademia delle Scienze" in Torino? Or you know where I could find copies of the Panetti/Tenani work in Torino windtunnel?

Grazie!

Paolo

[Aquilius]

Okay, so Umberto Savoia didn't had an own company.

His SP aircraft (Savoia-Pomilio) originate from the FIAT branch SIA.
That also explanes the designation Fiat/Savoia-Pomilio what is the same as
SIA S.P. then.


And my confusion with SIAI comes because they were using the name of the royals with their designes and merged in 1915 already with a former "Savoia" company.


Thanks a lot for sorting that out.


Oh, and please bring on what you have about the other companies.
Were they subcontractors only like AER or did they come with own designes (prototypes) too?



Cheers

Aquilius



@erri - you don't need to copy the SIAI-Marchetti site for me here.
I'll look up a few word in the dictionary, that's okay.

@Paolo - please count me in for a copy of your book, even it's italian only.

[paolomiana]

Hi Aquilius

thanks for the kind words: in june I will became dad, so if the offspring allows me I will complete the book before the end of the year. I hope to translate it in English (as we're doing for the WWI Caproni bombers right now).

As soon as possible I will post all the info I can recall. starting from the simple ones: SSAI succeed at Caproni once he was in financial troubles after 1913 Bristol contract failure. Caproni remain the chief engineer (and the owner of the patents) of SSAI, and that's why we call Ca.300 Hp and so on all his aircrafts.
According to his son Giovanni Caproni he was able - with aircraft royalties - to re-acquire his company after the war.

Just because we're on topic: it happens to someone -Duedicoppe I'm talking expecially to you - to have informations about the Pomilio Gamma fighter?

write you soon, cheers

Paolo

[erri]

@ aquilius
AER hadn't an own production, so far as I know.

comune orbassano to it -slash- vivere - slash- arte_cult_sport -slash-monum htm

La fabbrica di aeroplani “AER”
(AER aircraft factory)

from historical sources, on April, 1915, the AER was founded in Turin, with factory in Orbassano, to produce Caudron aircrafts with 1 or 2 engines.
At Via Piossasco in Orbassano the building exteriors are since today clearly visible (note - this area is intended to be replaced with new buildings and structures). Here, during WWI, were built many aircrafts used in the aerial warfare. To better understand the rilevance of this factory, please check the table (aircraft model / #ordered / #built)
As requested from Warfare Ministry, AER started its production in Orbassano end delivered on the first war months the Caudron G3 for the (artillery???) escadrilles. AER, who was concerned in Caudron developements, was interested in the new dual engines G4 aircraft, intended to replace G3, and started the production of the new model too.
The first aircrafts were ready on February 1916.
When G4 was quickly outperformed, AER started dual engines SP4 production, and this was delivered in battle zone in 1917 Fall, and take part in the fight till WWI end.
In early 1918, AER, as asked from Direzione Superiore dell’Aeronautica, joined the SVA production, with 250 built.
Since the war ended, due to the general lacks of orders, AER ceased their production.

About those aircrafts performances, it needs to say that G4 equipped the 48° reconoissance escadrille in the early 1916, and this take part in many battles in 1916-17 winter.

About G3, they suffered serious lack of speed and climb rate, and having no guns, they were easy prey for imposing enemy fighters.
Retired from battle zone, G3 were turned in training aircrafts, and they well fitted this role, so the building restarted as G3 Bis, with AER building 250 on 1918

@paolomiana - by now I haven't any contact with Accademia delle Scienze. Next week I can give you directly more info.
In bocca al lupo per il grande evento!!!

[paolomiana]

Thanks Erri, I really appreciate your help!

here the link from Erri Monumenti di Orbassano

For the sencondary topic: CREPI!

cheers

Paolo

[paolomiana]

another bit of Italian manufacturers.

cheers

Paolo