SIAI S.12
SIAI-Marchetti · Italy · first flew 1919 · light aircraft
The SIAI S.12 was an Italian flying boat biplane of the immediate post-World War I period, designed for racing and record-breaking, representing the early development of the Savoia (SIAI) series of racing seaplanes.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Italian post-WWI racing and record-setting flying boat
- Single-engine biplane flying boat hull with sesquiplane wing arrangement
- Competed in Schneider Trophy races in the early 1920s
A biplane flying boat with a central hull, single tractor engine above the lower wing, and the open-water seaplane configuration typical of Italian racing aircraft of the era.
Specifications
- The SIAI S.12 has a length of 10.8 m (35 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.07 m (49 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 222 km/h (138 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1919, the S.12 was one of the early SIAI designs that would lead to the famous Schneider Trophy racers. It set an altitude record for seaplanes in 1920 and participated in early Schneider Trophy competition.
Variants
The S.12 appeared in a small number of configurations differing in engine fit; it was an early step in the SIAI racing seaplane lineage that would culminate in the S.79 series.
Where you'll see it
Used for racing and record-breaking; not adopted for military or commercial operations in significant numbers.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.