Pilatus P-1

Pilatus Aircraft · Switzerland · first flew 1944 · fighter

The Pilatus P-1 was the first aircraft designed and built by the newly formed Pilatus Aircraft company of Switzerland, completed as a prototype in 1944. It was a single-seat low-wing monoplane fighter design intended for the Swiss Air Force.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	6.9 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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First aircraft designed and built by Pilatus
Swiss single-engine fighter of World War II era
Only one prototype completed

Clean low-wing monoplane with a conventional piston engine, enclosed cockpit, retractable undercarriage, and a conventional tail — a competent if unremarkable design for its era.

Specifications

The Pilatus P-1 has a length of 6.9 m (23 ft).
It has a wingspan of 9.2 m (30 ft).
Its maximum speed is 325 km/h (202 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

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

History

Pilatus was founded in 1939 and the P-1 was their initial design effort, though Switzerland's geographic isolation from the main theatres of World War II meant there was no urgent operational demand. Only one prototype was built and it did not enter production.

Variants

Single prototype only; Pilatus moved on to the more successful P-2 trainer.

Where you'll see it

Swiss Air Force evaluation; did not enter operational service.

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