Piaggio P.149
Piaggio / Focke-Wulf · Italy · first flew 1953 · light aircraft
The Piaggio P.149 is an Italian four-seat single-engine low-wing monoplane developed as a touring and training aircraft. It was built under licence in Germany by Focke-Wulf for the newly re-formed Luftwaffe and became the primary basic trainer of the German Air Force.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four-seat low-wing tourer built under licence by Focke-Wulf for German Air Force
- Lycoming GO-480 flat-six engine with large spinner
- Retractable tricycle undercarriage
A clean low-wing four-seat retractable tourer with a large spinner and a notably roomy cockpit canopy. Similar in layout to the Beechcraft Bonanza but lighter and with less swept tail surfaces; German Luftwaffe markings on most surviving examples.
Specifications
- The Piaggio P.149 has a length of 8.8 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.12 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 305 km/h (190 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Giovanni Casiraghi and first flown in 1953, the P.149 was selected by the Federal German government to equip the new Luftwaffe. Focke-Wulf built over 190 examples as the P.149D, which served in the training role through the 1970s.
Variants
The main variants are the P.149A (Italian-built touring version) and the P.149D (German licence-built military trainer with slightly uprated engine).
Where you'll see it
Served with the Italian Air Force and extensively with the German Luftwaffe; some examples were later sold to African air forces and private owners after German service ended.
Related aircraft
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