- Yes
- No
History.
The Ambrosini SAI 403 was a fighter built in 1943 by the Società Aeronautica Italiana Ambrosini company. This aircraft was supposed to be the improvement of the previous SAI.207 fighter of 1940, which had maneuverability problems. The design was profoundly revised and improved, and the aircraft was also rearmed based on the experience gained with the SAI 207 MM 8433. The SAI 403 prototype was completed in early 1943 and was immediately flown for testing. Excellent performance was noted, which allowed SAI to receive an order for 3,000 examples of this aircraft. The aircraft also aroused interest in Germany and Japan, which received the license to produce it. In the end, however, mass production of the aircraft was not started in any of the three nations as the plane was destroyed in flight shortly before the armistice of 8 September. There are rumors of the capture of the prototype by German forces after the armistice, but the only evidence to support this theory is most likely a photomontage made using an already existing photo of the SAI 403.
Armaments and propulsion.
The aircraft was armed with two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns placed in the nose of the fighter with a load of 350 rounds per gun and two German MG 151 cannons placed in the wings with a load of 200 rounds per gun.
As an engine, the aircraft was equipped with a 750 hp Isotta Fraschini Delta R.C.21/60 Series I-IV engine, which could push the aircraft up to a maximum speed of 648 km/h.
Specifications.
Spoiler
Crew: 1
Lenght: 8,2 m
Wingspan: 9,8 m
Height: 2,9 m
Maximum weight: 2.640 kg
Fuel capacity: 300 l
Engine: 1x Isotta-Fraschini Delta R.C.21/60 Serie I-IV (750 hp)
Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller
Maximum speed: 648 km/h
Weapons: 2x Breda-SAFAT 12,7 mm and 2x MG 151 20 mm
Pictures and drawnings.
Socurces.
Spoiler
Ala Straccia: la famiglia del SAI 403 – Volare nel Cuore
Уголок неба ¦ Ambrosini SAI 403 Dardo
SAI Ambrosini 403 - Wikipedia
Ambrosini SAI S.403 Dardo
https://www.aviastar.org/air/italy/ambrosini_s-403.php
Ambrosini SAI 403 Dardo ::: http://fandavion.free.fr
https://www.colettiscombataircraft.com/item/ambrosini-sai-403-dardo/
https://www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-military-photographs/ambrosini-sai-403-dardo-fighter/
Ambrosini SAI.403 - Wikipedia
SAI 403 Dardo — Wikipédia