Aeronautica Umbra Trojani AUT.18

Aeronautica Umbra · Italy · first flew 1939 · fighter

The AUT.18 was a prototype fighter aircraft developed in Italy by Aeronautica Umbra shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. The designation came from the manufacturer, the designer Trojani and the 18 square metre wing area.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• All-metal stressed-skin monoplane covered in duralumin
• Inward-retracting main undercarriage with a retractable tailwheel
• Radial engine in the nose and two machine guns in the wings outboard of the undercarriage

A single-engined all-metal low-wing fighter with a radial engine, retractable main gear and tailwheel, and two machine guns in the wings.

Specifications

• The Aeronautica Umbra Trojani AUT.18 has a length of 8.56 m (28 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 11.5 m (38 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 480 km/h (298 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

It was designed in 1934 by Felice Trojani, who had collaborated with Umberto Nobile on the Arctic flights of the airships Norge and Italia. It was born from the same Regia Aeronautica requirement as the Caproni-Vizzola F.5, FIAT G.50 and Macchi C.200, and flew for the first time on 22 April 1939.

Variants

Only one prototype was built, serial M.M.363, powered by a 1,044 hp Fiat A.80 R.C.41 radial engine. It was armed with two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns.

Where you'll see it

Flight trials were disappointing and no production orders followed. After a second flight test series from November 1940 it showed no improvement over fighters already in production, and the type was abandoned.

Related aircraft

• Arsenal VG-33
• Bisnovat SK-1
• Bristol Beaufighter
• Caproni Vizzola F.5

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