Nardi FN.305A

Piaggio · Italy · first flew 1935 · light aircraft

The Nardi FN.305A is a single-engine low-wing monoplane training and aerobatic aircraft designed by Fratelli Nardi in Italy during the 1930s. Although originally a Nardi design, examples were later produced and marketed by Piaggio.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• Italian 1930s tandem-seat low-wing monoplane trainer
• Inline or radial engine options depending on variant
• Fixed spatted undercarriage

A clean 1930s low-wing monoplane trainer with a spatted fixed undercarriage, tandem open (or enclosed) cockpits, and a neatly cowled inline or radial engine; typical of Italian trainer designs of the era.

Specifications

• The Nardi FN.305A has a length of 6.98 m (23 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 8.47 m (28 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 310 km/h (193 mph).
• Typical crew: 2 (tandem).

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

History

First flown in 1935, the FN.305 was designed as a versatile trainer capable of aerobatics. Various engine options were offered; the A variant used a Walter Bora inverted inline engine. The Regia Aeronautica ordered examples, and it was also exported.

Variants

The FN.305 family included variants with different engines: the FN.305A (Walter Bora), FN.305D (Alfa Romeo 115), and others; the basic airframe remained consistent across variants.

Where you'll see it

Served with the Italian Regia Aeronautica in the trainer role through the late 1930s and into World War Two; some examples were exported to Romania and used by the Romanian Air Force.

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