Ansaldo SVA 5

Angiolillo · 18 March 2003, 02:51 AM

Hello!

In late sixties, a replica of Ferrarin's SVA (serial number 13148) has been built in USA to be exposed at the Osaka Expo in 1970. It was a flying replica. Then something occurred and a static replica built in Italy was exposed instead.

Do you know about the flying SVA? Or about any other replica of SVA? Any comment about manoeuvrability and such?

Bye and thanks,

Angiolillo

18 March 2003, 11:59 AM

There was what appeared to be a full-scale replica of an SVA-5 at the International Transportation Exhibition at Dulles Airport in 1972 near Washington, DC. It was known as "Transpo-72" and was held in June or July of that year. The Ansaldo was set up as a static display outside (as all the exhibits were) and had stands and rope or tape to keep the spectators from getting too close to it. I have no idea if it could have flown but I do recall that it looked very good I assume it was a replica and whoever created it did a fine job. As this was over 30 years ago and seeing it was only part of an exciting day, I don't recall much else about it other than that it was painted olive drab and brown. I think it had Italian markings and, if believe at least part of the fuselage was plywood. I know this isn't much to go on, but I hope it is helpful to you in some way.
- Vern

Angiolillo · 18 March 2003, 12:17 PM

Well, I'm mostly curious on how the Ansaldo SVA 5 behaved in the sky. But your story is very interesting!

The plane you saw could well be the replica I read about. It has been built by an American with the consulence and the assistance of several Italian persons and firms - including Ansaldo itself, if I remember well. The aim was Osaka '70, but I heard rumors about the owner asking so much money that in the end it's been cheaper to build another one (not in flying conditions). If i find again the details, I'll post them.

Bye and thanks!

Angiolillo

baldeagle · 18 March 2003, 12:27 PM

The plane at the Dulles expo in '72 may also have been Herb Fyfield's SVA.9 two-seater, now in Italy, anybody remember? I've never heard of a flying SVA replica.

DavidErrol · 18 March 2003, 01:51 PM

Herb Fyfield's SVA9 a Dulles:

Angiolillo · 18 March 2003, 09:52 PM

Actually, in Italy we have...

Single seaters:
Serial Number 11721 at the Italian Air Force Museum, Vigna di Valle;
Serial Number 11777 at Caproni Museum in Trento;

Two seaters:
Serial Number 12736 at the Vittoriale of Gardone Riviera (Gabriele D'Annunzio's villa);
The SVA9 you wrote about.

At San Pelagio airfield there is also a recent 9/10 SVA 5 replica.

Angiolillo · 22 March 2003, 12:51 AM

Sorry, you are right. The SVA I meant was Fyfield's one, not a replica.

But do you know anybody whpo flew it? Any impression, any report?

Bye and thanks,

Andrea

baldeagle · 22 March 2003, 05:41 AM

I'm not aware that it ever flew, I've never seen a photo of it in flight. *Anybody?

If I ever build one it will have to be one of the 87 sqr ones with the stars all over the tail....

Angiolillo · 23 March 2003, 02:55 AM

Quote:

I'm not aware that it ever flew, I've never seen a photo of it in flight. *Anybody?

Me neither. But the book "Guida agli aerei storici italiani" (Guide to historical Italian airplanes) by D'Amico, Gueli, Rovere and Valentini (1978), says that after agreements for exhibit of the SVA 9 the at Osaka Expo failed, "Fyfield came back to America and went on with the restoration on his own, until the 7th october 1970 the F.A.A. gave to the SVA 9 the Airworthiness Certification, making it officially the oldest Italian flying aircraft..."

There is a b/w photo on an airfield. It is on the ground, but the caption says "An image of the SVA 9 flying in America thanks to the restauration job of Mr. Fyfield."

This SVA even has the original engine. So I am really curious to know how it behaved in the sky. Even because the SVA made wonders both in war and in peace. When it came out, it was not accepted by Baracca and then by the other pilots as a fighter, but at the front it won both the two faked duels that were tried between a tester pilot on a SVA and a fighter ace on a Spad XIII... There is more than enough for a thread in the aircraft section, on the model of the "Sopwith Triplane Vs. Fokker Dr.I" thread!!!

Bye and thanks,

Angiolillo

Angiolillo · 23 March 2003, 02:59 AM

Sorry... I always forget about 8 + ) = 8). I'll learn to preview messages... or to disable smiles, sooner or later!

Of course the guide came out in 1978 and the serial number of Ferrarin's plane was 13148!!!