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Conversion (Italeri) 1/72 Fiat APR.2/A.59 Civil Transport by Vince Fiore |
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Derived from the design study by Celestino Rosatelli for the APR.1 (never built), the APR.2 eight-ten passenger transport was completed and first flown in 1935. Almost entirely
of metal construction, with only the rear fuselage, tail surfaces, and ailerons of fabric covering, the APR.2 was originally powered by two 700 h.p. FIAT A.59R nine-cylinder
radial engines driving controllable-pitch three-bladed air-screws and featured retractable landing gear. The very clean and attractive cantilever monoplane was built in a small series and served with the Avio Linee Italiane S.A. The main landing gear legs of the prototype had featured sheet metal fairings, omitted from production machines, while the A.59R engines were replaced by 840 hp A.74 R.C.38 fourteen-cylinder radials. The A.59-powered APR.2 weighed 8360 lbs empty and 14,740 lbs loaded, had a maximum speed of 242 mph at 6560 ft and cruised at 217 mph. The ceiling was 25,420 ft and had a range of 1242 miles. Dimensions were: span 63 ft 11 in, length 46 ft 11 in, height 11 ft 7 1/2 in, and wing area 621.1 sq ft. Powered by the A.74 R.C.38 radial engines, the transport had a maximum speed of 255 mph at 11,480 ft, a cruising speed of 217 mph, and a landing speed of 71 mph using flaps. Service ceiling was 24,600 ft and a range of 1242 miles. An altitude of 9840 ft could be maintained on one engine. The APR.2 climbed to 6560 ft in 5 min, to 13,120 ft in 11 min 30 sec, and to 19,680 ft in 22 min. Empty weight was 10,450 lbs and loaded weight 14,740 lbs. Dimensions were the same as for the original version except for a slightly lengthened fuselage (48 ft 10 1⁄2 in.) and an increased wing area of 634.8 sq ft. Reference: [1] Thompson W. Jonathan, "Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930-1945"
Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930-1945
, Aero Publishers Inc., Los Angeles, California, 1963
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This is a conversion of the Fiat BR 20 to the airliner it was derived from, the Fiat APR.2 powered by two Fiat A.59R nine-cylinder radial engines. At the time of its introduction, the APR.2 was considered the fastest airliner in the world. The plane was used on Ala Littoria's Milan-Turin-Paris route. The first step was removing the front half of the fuselage that housed the bombay. Then the section in front of the cockpit. It was now time to replace the lower fuselage. The next phase was to remove enough of the fuselage where the cabin windows were to be placed. This done, clear plastic was inserted into the openings that were made. This completed the two sides, which were glued together. It was now necessary to reconfigure the nose section. This was accomplished using green stuff and millput. Because the BR 20 had a twin-tail configuration, I was forced to fabricate a single vertical stabilizer. The most tiresome part of this conversion was simulating the bulges on the cowlings. I did this by using green stuff folded into thin ropes. These were cut to proper lengths, placed onto cowlings, and shaped. A very time-consuming, boring job. Hope you like it. MRP paints were used.
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Aircraft: Fiat APR.2/A.59 Manufacturer: Fiat S.A. Type: Civil Transport Year: 1935 Engine: Two Fiat A.59R, radial with 9 air-cooled cylinders, 700 hp hp each Wingspan: 64 ft 0 in (19.50 m) Length: 47 ft 0 in (14.32 m) Height: 11 ft 8 in (3.55 m) Weight: 14,770 lb (6,700 kg) (Loaded) Maximum Speed: 240 mph (390 km/h) Ceiling: 25,400 ft (7,750 m) Range: 1,100 miles (1,800 km) Crew: 2 Passengers: 12 Aircraft: Fiat APR.2/A.74 Manufacturer: Fiat S.A. Type: Civil Transport Year: 1937 Engine: Two Fiat A.74 RC 38, 14-cyclinder radial, air-cooled, 870hp Wingspan: 64 ft 0 in (19.50 m) Length: 47 ft 0 in (14.32 m) Height: 11 ft 8 in (3.55 m) Weight: 14,770 lb (6,700 kg) (Loaded) Maximum Speed: 255 mph at 11,480 ft (410 km/h at 3500 m) Ceiling: 24,600 ft (7,500 m) Range: 1,242 miles (2,000 km) Crew: 2 Passengers: 8-10 |
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February, 2026 STORMO! © 2026 |
