Breda A.7

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A.7
Role Reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer Breda
Introduction 1929
Primary user Regia Aeronautica
Number built 14, plus 1 A.16

The Breda A.7 was a reconnaissance aircraft developed in Italy for use by the Regia Aeronautica in 1929. It was a braced parasol monoplane of conventional configuration with tailskid undercarriage. The pilot and observer sat in tandem, open cockpits. A single prototype of a long-range example, originally designated A.7 Raid and later A.16 (or Ba.16) was also constructed, but the air force showed no interest in it.

Variants[edit]

A.7LD
Two prototypes, powered by 298 kW (400 hp) Lorraine-Dietrich piston engines. (2 built).
A.7
Production version. Two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, powered by a 380 kW (510 hp) Isotta Fraschini Asso 500 piston engine, and fitted with a revised cooling system and empennage; 12 built.
A.7 Raid (later A.16 or Ba.16)
A long-range version, powered by a 370 kW (500 hp) Isotta Fraschini Asso 500 AQ engine. Engine later changed to a Bristol Jupiter VII and an extra seat added.
A.7Idro
Seaplane fitted with twin floats.[1]
The sole Breda Ba.16
Ba.16
a long-range version; one built.

Operators[edit]

 Kingdom of Italy

Specifications (A.7)[edit]

Breda A.7 3-view drawing from Les Ailes April 21,1927

Data from Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 10.515 m (34 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 15.78 m (51 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 43 m2 (460 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
  • Gross weight: 2,500 kg (5,512 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Isotta Fraschini Asso 500 V-12 water-cooled piston engine, 370 kW (500 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch wooden propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 235 km/h (146 mph, 127 kn)
  • Stall speed: 75 km/h (47 mph, 40 kn)
  • Range: 1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi)
  • Endurance: 6 hours
  • Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,300 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 4.6 m/s (910 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 58 kg/m2 (12 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.150 kW/kg (0.091 hp/lb)

Armament

  • Guns: 1x fixed synchronised forward-firing 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Vickers machine-gun plus 1× 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Lewis Gun on a flexible mount for the observer

See also[edit]

Related lists

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Grey, C.G., ed. (1928). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 157c.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 195.
  • World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 890 Sheet 77.