Vulcanair Canguro
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Italy |
| Products | Aircraft, including the SF.600 Canguro |
The Vulcanair SF.600 Canguro (translated as "Kangaroo") was an Italian feederliner developed in the late 1970s. Despite multiple efforts to initiate mass production, only a limited quantity of units were manufactured.
Design and development
The Canguro featured a high-wing cantilever monoplane design with a traditional layout, characterized by a fuselage with a rectangular cross-section and a tail mounted high. Its tricycle landing gear was fixed, with the main wheels housed in sponsons attached to the sides of the fuselage. Funding for the prototype’s construction was provided by SIAI Marchetti, which built the aircraft at the former Aviamilano facility. After successful flight testing, the model was marketed; however, it failed to secure significant orders even after replacing the original piston engines with turboprops and offering retractable landing gear as an option.
Following SIAI Marchetti’s acquisition by Agusta, the design remained available, and in 1992, a joint production agreement was signed with South Korea’s Sammi. This collaboration did not materialize into production. Similarly, an attempt to manufacture the aircraft alongside the PADC in the Philippines was unsuccessful, although PADC did obtain two units, registered RP-C1298 and RP-3101. In 1997, Vulcanair acquired the rights from Finmeccanica, Agusta’s parent company, producing a small number of aircraft but never commencing full-scale production. Subsequently, Vulcanair adapted the Canguro’s fuselage to create their single-engine model, the Vulcanair Mission.
Variants
- SF600
- Model introduced in 1982, equipped with a pair of Allison 250-B17C turboprop engines.
- SF600A
- Updated version from 1989 featuring a higher maximum takeoff weight, powered by two Allison 250-B17F/1 turboprops, along with aerodynamic enhancements to the wings and reinforced landing gear support structures.
Operators
- File:Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines
- Philippine Coast Guard: Decommissioned
- Operated one unit primarily for search and rescue operations.
Specifications (SF.600TP)
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References
- Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988-89. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Defence Data, 1988. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989, p. 417. ISBN 0-7106-0710-5.
- Simpson, R. W. Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing, 1995, p. 366. ISBN 1-85310-577-5.
- "New Frati twin first flight imminent." Flight, 7 October 1978, p. 1304. Accessed 2 April 2008.
- "Agusta forms Korean venture." Flight, 10 June 1989, p. 37. Accessed 2 April 2008.