Piaggio P.23M
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1884 |
| Headquarters | Pontedera , Italy |
| Products | Aircraft, motorcycles |
| Website | www |
The Piaggio P.23M was an Italian prototype developed by Piaggio as a commercial transport aircraft.
Design and development
The P.23M was engineered by Piaggio with the objective of operating transatlantic flights over the North Atlantic Ocean, with the intention of evolving into a commercial cargo transporter. It featured a shoulder-mounted, four-engine monoplane layout, characterized by inverted gull wings and equipped with twin vertical stabilizers and rudders. To enhance survivability during potential water landings, the fuselage was shaped similarly to a boat hull, a concept Piaggio referred to as avion marin ("marine aviation"), although the aircraft was not classified as a flying boat. Its main landing gear was designed to retract.
Power was supplied by four 671-kilowatt (900 hp) Isotta-Fraschini Asso XI R. V-12 engines arranged in tandem pairs on the wings. Each engine drove a two-bladed propeller; among these, two operated in a pusher configuration while the other two functioned as tractors.
Piaggio estimated the P.23M's maximum speed at 400 kilometres per hour (249 mph; 216 kn), with an anticipated range of approximately 5,100 kilometres (3,169 mi; 2,754 nmi) when cruising at 300 kilometres per hour (186 mph; 162 kn).
Operational history
The P.23 made its maiden flight in 1935. Although designed with a potential for transatlantic travel, it was never actually flown across the Atlantic Ocean, leaving its estimated maximum range unverified. Shortly after its initial flight, the aircraft was taken apart and did not return to the skies.
Variants
There were no derivative models developed from the P.23. The Piaggio P.23R, introduced in 1936 and also a prototype commercial transport, is often mistakenly considered a variant due to its similar designation; however, it represents a completely distinct design.
Operators
- Kingdom of Italy
Specifications (P.23M)
References
External links
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