Piaggio PD.808
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Italy |
| Products | Aircraft, including the PD.808 business jet |
The Piaggio PD.808 was an Italian-manufactured business jet developed collaboratively by Piaggio and the Douglas Aircraft Company based in Long Beach, California, United States.[1]
Design and development
Initially designated as the PD.808 Vespa Jet, this business jet emerged from a partnership between Piaggio and the Douglas Aircraft Company.[1] The fundamental design responsibilities were undertaken by Douglas, while the assembly of the prototype took place at Piaggio’s facility in Finale Ligure.[2]
Featuring a low-wing cantilever monoplane configuration with tip-mounted fuel tanks, the PD.808 was powered by two Bristol Siddeley Viper 525 turbojet engines mounted at the rear. It incorporated retractable tricycle landing gear and was originally configured to accommodate a pilot alongside six passengers within its cabin.[1]
The first prototype equipped with Viper 525 engines (bearing Italian Serial Number MM577) conducted its maiden flight on 29 August 1965. This was succeeded by a second prototype also powered by Viper 525s and two additional civil demonstration aircraft.[2]
Efforts to attract commercial airline operators—including proposals featuring a variant powered by the General Electric CJ610—failed to generate interest beyond the Italian Air Force, which procured 25 units for liaison duties, training, and radar calibration missions.[2] The Italian Air Force models were fitted with upgraded Viper 526 turbojets.[3]
Variants
- PD-808VIP: configured for VIP transport roles.
- PD-808TA: designed as a navigation trainer aircraft.
- PD-808RM (radiomisure): radio calibration variant; four units produced.
- PD-808GE (guerra elettronica): modified for electronic warfare purposes; PD-808GE1 entered operational service in 1972, followed by the PD-808GE2 in 1977.
- PD-808TF: proposed turbofan-powered model that was never constructed.
Operators
- The Italian Air Force utilized 22 Piaggio PD.808 aircraft from 1970 through 2003.
Accidents and incidents
On 18 June 1968, the demonstration model I-PIAI crashed under adverse weather conditions when it collided with the slope of Mount Jaizkibel near San Sebastian, Spain. All six individuals aboard, including Italian entrepreneur Lino Zanussi and Piaggio's lead test pilot Davide Albertazzi, lost their lives.
Aircraft on display
- Italy
- MM62015 – PD-808GE exhibited as a static display in Lucca, Tuscany. This airframe was formerly operated by the Italian Air Force.
- MM61961 – PD-808GE presented outside the Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica Militare di Vigna di Valle (Italian Air Force Museum located in Vigna di Valle), featuring the inscription "Ultimo Volo 17.5.03 (Final Flight 17-5-'03)".
Specifications (PD.808)
References
Bibliography
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- Piaggio aircraft
- Douglas aircraft
- 1960s Italian business aircraft
- 1960s Italian military utility aircraft
- Twinjets
- Low-wing aircraft
- Aircraft first flown in 1964
- Cruciform tail aircraft
- Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear