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RS Models 1/72 A.V.I.A. FL.3 Trainer by Philippe Martin |
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The Azionaria Vercellese Industrie Aeronantiche of Vercelli was a small firm which produced a number of designs by the well known aviator Francis Lombardi. The FL.3 two-seat lightplane, first produced before. the war and widely used in postwar flying, was a low-wtng monoplane powered by an 80 h.p. C.N.A. D.4 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine. In 1948 A.V.I.A. was absorbed by Francis Lombardi & C., which continued to build the FL.3. The type was also produced under license by Meteor, of Trieste. The prewar FL.3 weighed 660 lb. empty and 1133 lb. loaded, had a maximum speed of 110 m.p.h., a cruising speed of 93 m.p.h., and an endurance of 4 hrs. (range 373-509 miles, the latter figure with an auxiliary fuel tank). Ceiling was 16,400 ft. and initial rate of climb 10 ft./sec. Dimensions were: span 32 ft. 3 3/4 in., length 20 ft. 10 3/4 in., height 5 ft. 7 1/3 in., and wing area 154.4 sq. ft. During the war a few FL.3's, with airscrews removed, were used as training gliders. In 1941-42, when the Regia Aeronautica was showing an interest in military cargo gliders, it was necessary to acquaint pilots with sinking speeds higher than those of sport gliders. The FL.3 "gliders" were towed aloft by older military biplanes such as the Ro 37 and CR.42. |
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This small trainer entered service in the late thirties for basic training of Regia Aeronautica pilots although most student pilots preferred the biplane Ca.100. However the plane became famous after the war in civil aviation, and was to become a pillar of Italian light aviation for many years. This is one of the first kits manufactured by RS Models and is a real success, accurate and easy to assemble, a real pleasure to build! The box-art does no justice to the final build. |
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Aircraft: AVIA FL.3 Manufacturer: Azionaria Vercellese Industrie Aeronautiche (AVIA) Type: Trainer Year: 1939 Engine: Continental C-85 flat-four piston, 85 hp Wingspan: 32 ft 3 25/32 in (9.85 m) Length: 20 ft 10 in (6.35 m) Height: 5 ft 6 15/16 in (1.70 m) Weight: 1257 lb (570 kg) (loaded) Maximum Speed: 121 mph (195 km/h) Ceiling: 19,685 ft (6000 m) Range: 342 miles (555 km) Crew: 2 |
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