- Yes
- No
History of the aircraft
The traditional shortage of strategic materials in Italy, along with difficulties in importing large quantities of these materials, necessitated the use of highly specialized labor in aircraft manufacturing. Naturally, this was even more evident in times of conflict, forcing the industry to develop solutions that were more economically viable or required less strategic materials.
In this context, in 1942, the Ministry of Aeronautics expressed a particular interest in an assault aircraft intended for large-scale production that could be achieved using simple techniques and easily accessible materials. The task was entrusted to Sergio Stefanutti, who had already been successful with the S.A.I. 207. The new aircraft was named V.A.L. (Velivolo Assalto Leggero), and this designation highlighted its nature as a light assault aircraft, like its predecessor but with a wooden construction using metal parts only for joints and other critical components.
The responsibility for developing the prototypes was given to SAIMAN (Società Industrie Meccaniche Aeronautiche Navali) based in Lido di Roma, which had already been producing training aircraft and other related equipment. SAIMAN 200 and 202 were already operating, and a new project, the SAIMAN 208, was under development. SAIMAN had the technical capability to produce the V.A.L., leveraging its experience and facilities at the time.
The aircraft had a sea gull- like wing and had to be easy to produce but, most importantly, robust and easy to fly, even by newer pilots.
After a night time bombardment in Guidonia that made no victims but damaged the building, the first prototype of the VAL was transferred to Bagno, 8KM away from L’Aquila. They had to continue the prototype in a couple of military buildings near the airfield.
The transfer began in the month of may, but was totally complete only for july.
The VAL was ready to fly, having already a complete functioning aircraft and the first flight was scheduled for the 10th of september but it never happened, because of the 3rd of september 1943 armistice.
On the 12th of september 1943 the airfield was occupied by german troops that damaged fatally the aircraft, without probably knowing it was a new machine being tested.
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
The VAL attack aircraft was a single-seat, single-engine wooden monoplane with a distinct gull-wing design.
The fuselage featured an oval cross-section constructed from spruce, with a birch plywood skin that was further covered in fabric and painted for protection.
The wing was supported by a three-spar framework, with ribs also covered in birch plywood, then layered with fabric and paint. The ailerons were similarly fabric-covered, while the flaps were wood-clad.
The landing gear was non-retractable and included fairings. The tailwheel was also non-retractable but was steerable. The tail assembly was built from wood and clad in varnished birch plywood, with the control surfaces covered in fabric.
The cockpit was enclosed, and an armored partition behind the pilot’s seat doubled as protection for the aircraft’s radio equipment.
Equipment: The aircraft’s equipment included a S. Giorgio-designed gunsight, compass, gyroscopic horizon, roll indicator, airspeed indicator, altimeter, variometer, and an onboard clock. The fuel tank was positioned directly behind the pilot’s seat.
Specifications
Wing span: 12,50 m
Lenght: 10.27 m
Height: 3.13 m
wing area: 23 square meters
Empty weight: 2490 KG
Max load weight: 3800 KG
Max speed: 440 km/h at 4000 m
Minimum speed: 150 km/h
Climb time: 6 minutes to 4000 meters
Autonomy: 1260 km
Max ceiling: 7000 meters
Runway required for take off: 350 m
Runway required for landing: 450 m
Engine: Isotta fraschini delta IV, 825 HP
Propeller: Piaggio metal 3 bladed, variable pitch
Armament
Guns:
2x SAFAT 12.7 mm machine guns mounted above the engine container (400 rpg)
2x MAUSER 20 mm cannons, one on each wing (150 rpg)
Bombs:
Ventral:
1x 500 KG (using a “thrower” to yeet it like on the stuka)
1x 250KG bomb, same yeeting mechanism.
1x MOTOBOMBA FF
Wings:
4x 100 KG bombs on the wings
4x 160 KG c.s. bombs
4x 20 KG bombs
4x 50 KG bombs
In the belly pylon it could also carry a fuel drop tank.
Sources
Dimensione Cielo - Caccia Assalto vol. 3 (pages 45-46)
Легкий штурмовой самолет SAIMAN V.A.L. Италия - Альтернативная История