Pilatus P-2
Pilatus · Switzerland · first flew 1945 · light aircraft
The Pilatus P-2 is a Swiss two-seat advanced trainer of mixed metal, wood and fabric construction.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.07 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Low-wing monoplane with tandem seating under a long canopy
- Inverted V-12 Argus engine in the nose
- Fully retractable tailwheel undercarriage
A low-wing trainer with tandem cockpits and a V-12 engine; some landing gear parts were taken from the Messerschmitt Bf 109.
Specifications
- The Pilatus P-2 has a length of 9.07 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 340 km/h (211 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Pilatus began building the first prototype in 1943 after failing to obtain licences for foreign trainers; it first flew on 27 April 1945.
Variants
There were two production series: the unarmed P-2-05 and the P-2-06 weapons trainer, with a machine gun above the engine and wing racks for light bombs and rockets.
Where you'll see it
The Swiss Air Force flew it from 1946 to 1981, after which about 48 were sold to civil owners, often painted in Luftwaffe markings.
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