WesWorld

As of Q4/36 the war is over and normality is slowly being regained and as the veil of secrecy lifts the turbulent times can be charted. Here follows what is going on and what has happened thus far.

FMA (Fabrica Militar de Aviones)

FMA T-514; trainer (improved Avro 504), 45 built plus 144 for Brazil and a license granted to Mexico. Production ended July 1935.

FMA Llama; light aircraft, development abandoned April 1934.

FMA I.Ae 1 Guarani; Production ended December 1935.

FMA I.Ae 2; advanced monoplane trainer, 82 built. From mid 1936 the FMA I.Ae 2T entered FAA service and are equipped with a full navigation suite with a compass and HF/DF set. 65 were ordered.
Dimensions: span 10.2m; length 6.85m; height 3.19m; wing area 16.88 sq
Weights: empty 510kg; max take-off 855kg
Powerplant: one 200hp Wright J-4A radial or 235hp FMA SR-7-1 radial
Performance: max speed 142mph; service ceiling 10,500ft; range 550 miles
Capacity: pupil and tutor in tandem
Structure: steel-tube fuselage truss with light alloy forward fuselage covering and fabric aft, light alloy used for tail construction and fabric covering. The wings are wooden with fabric covering with a plywood leading edge. Simple pneumatic flaps are fitted
Equipment: full dual controls and space for future radio receiver/transmitter; a comprehensive navigation suite is fitted with compass and a HF/DF set in the I.Ae 2T.

FMA I.Ae 3; advanced trainer for fighter pilots, 50 built. From mid 1936 the FMA I.Ae 3T entered FAA service and are equipped with a full navigation suite with a compass, radio receiver/transmitter and HF/DF set. 65 are on order with 25 for the Commando de Aviacion Naval Argentina for 1936.
Dimensions: span 7.35m; length 5.75m; height 3.06m; wing area 12.58 sq
Weights: empty 505kg; max take-off 555kg
Powerplant: one 200hp Wright J-4A radial or 235hp FMA SR-7-1 radial
Performance: max speed 160mph; service ceiling 17,000ft; range 350 miles
Armament: Provision for one 7.7mm MG in forward fuselage and two 25kg bombs (MG not fitted in 3T)
Capacity: pupil in open cockpit
Structure: steel-tube fuselage truss with light alloy forward fuselage covering and fabric aft, light alloy used for tail construction and tailplane covering. The wings are wooden with plywood covering to the aft spar, fabric covers the rest. Simple pneumatic flaps are fitted.
Equipment: full controls and navigation equipment are fitted with space for future radio receiver/transmitter and HF/DF set. I.Ae 3T has full navigation suite with a compass, radio receiver/transmitter and HF/DF set.

The FMA I-100/A/C Barron; production ended October 1936.

FMA I.Ae 4 Courier; designed by Luis Barron for a new class of civil-owned mail carriers. The Compania Argentina de Marinanavegacion Rividavia has ordered twelve for delivery during late 1934. Owing to the war these aircraft will not be delivered until Dec 1936.

FMA I.Ae 4S; armed torpedo bomber variant of FMA I.Ae 4, production has now ended.

FMA I.Ae 4R Racer; one has been built but the Air Force brought three more modified as trainers.

FMA M.B.2; light bomber based on I.Ae 5 airliner, 216 built, production now ended. The M.B.2B is a navigation and radio trainer with pilot and instructor with two pupils in the fuselage and twenty-four were built during 1935.

FMA I.Ae 5; the airliner version of the M.B.2 for internal routes with rough field performance. Aeravias Argentinas S.A. ordered four for delivery in 1935, not be delivered until September 1936 owing to war situation. In July 1936 production resumed and 16 more were ordered.
Dimensions: span 17.2m; length 10.90; height 2.8m; wing area 35 sq m; wing loading 100kg/ sq m; power loading 5.14kg/hp
Structure: steel-tube fuselage truss with light alloy forward fuselage covering and fabric aft, light alloy used for tail construction and tailplane covering. Metal wing with steel spars, all-metal split flaps and wooden ailerons with fabric covering. Rudder and elevators aluminium framed with fabric covering. Fixed main undercarriage in spats with a non-retractable castoring tail wheel
Weights: empty 2120kg, maximum take-off 3500kg
Powerplant: one 715hp Wright SGR-1820-F3 radial
Performance: max speed 177mph; service ceiling 19865ft, time to 5000m (16,400ft) 37 minutes; range 452 miles
Capacity: pilot and navigator in enclosed cockpit forward, five passengers in cabin
Equipment: full controls and navigation equipment including receiver/transmitter, HF/DF set and Sperry autopilot

FMA I-01 Buchon; began service deliveries to four fighter Regiments (144 aircraft) from early 1936. A further 144 war contract aircraft were cancelled March 1936.

FMA I-01-II Buchon; developed from the I-01 this improved variant has a new engine and other improved equipment based on war experience. An order for 144 aircraft have been placed and have the batch numbers previously allocated to the cancelled I-01s, numbers C/N09001-C/N16018.
Dimensions: span 10.05m; length 9.14; height 3.22m; wing area 176sq ft; wing loading 35.22 lb/sq ft; power loading 0.20 lb/hp
Structure: all-metal monocoque fuselage with I section fames and L section stringers with stressed light alloy covering, light alloy used for cantilever tail construction and tailplane covering. Cantilever metal wing with two steel spars, all-metal split flaps and aluminium framed ailerons with aluminium covering. Rudder and elevators aluminium framed with aluminium covering. Retractable hydraulically raised main undercarriage with single oleo-pneumatic legs with twin pneumatic brakes and a retractable castoring tail wheel
Weights: empty 5,423lbs, maximum take-off 6,200lbs
Powerplant: one 1300hp Spartan 1300S V-12 inline engine with supercharger, maximum sea level output to 12,000ft
Performance: max speed 377mph; service ceiling 36,000ft; rate of climb 2,931ft per minute at 1,500ft; range 466 miles full fuel load
Capacity: pilot in enclosed cockpit armoured windscreen and 8mm thick armoured bulkhead behind
Armament: four 13mm Browning HMG in wings
Equipment: full controls and navigation equipment including receiver/transmitter, reflector sight, Sperry autopilot, one flare chute and one rescue dinghy

FMA I-01N Buchon; 32 ordered by Chile for Q1/37.
In response to a specification for a carrier-based fighter Luis Barron developed a modified carrier fighter based on the FMA I-01 differing only in structural weights, addition of a rear fuselage fuel tank and carrier-operation gear. The Navy quickly turned down the I-01N in favour of Japanese fighters for both technical and political reasons. One surplus standard fighter was fitted with catapult spools and arrester gear in July 1936 and used for dummy deck landing trials. In late 1936 Chile ordered 32 I-01N fighters for delivery from February 1937.


IMPA (Compania Industria Metalurgica & Plastica S.A.).


With investment from the Atlantean aircraft company Accrisius IMPA builds Spartan and Accrisius aircraft under licence via FMA agreements.

IMPA M.B.1 (Spartan Vanquish); production ended January 1936.

IMPA SI-21A (Sp-21A Vanquish II); production ended August 1936

IMPA SI-21T (Sp-21M); solid nose SI-21A developed for Mexico, battery of 13mm HMG and torpedo crutches added, limited rate production continues.

IMPA SI-21S
A floatplane equipped Sp-21 variant for the Commando de Aviacion Naval for the reconnaissance role with a secondary attack role. Production continues.
Dimensions: span 20.42m; length 12.19; height 3.84m; wing area 600sq ft; wing loading 31.33 lb/sq ft; power loading 0.234kg/hp 0.10 lb/hp
Structure: all-metal monocoque fuselage in four sections with Z section fames and L section stringers with light alloy covering, light alloy used for tail construction and cantilever tailplane covering. Cantilever all-metal wing with two steel spars, all-metal split flaps and aluminium framed ailerons with fabric covering. Rudder and elevators aluminium framed with fabric covering. Two amphibious watertight floats fixed underwing with optional beaching wheels.
Weights: empty 11,670lbs, maximum take-off 18,800lbs Powerplant: two 1000hp Spartan 1000 supercharged radial engines
Performance: max speed 248mph; service ceiling 25,500ft; rate of climb 1,025ft per minute at 1,500ft; range 957 miles with 3,000lbs bomb load
Capacity: pilot in enclosed cockpit, navigator in rear fuselage cabin with one window and one access door ahead of radio operator/gunner in a hydraulic-powered dorsal turret
Armament: one dorsal turret with two 7.92mm FMG/M32 MG (drum feed), four fixed 13mm Browning HMG in the lower nose under the cockpit, bombload 3000lbs in one lower fuselage bomb bay or one semi-recessed 18-21in torpedo
Equipment: full controls and navigation equipment including receiver/transmitter, HF/DF set, naval co-operation beacon, Sperry autopilot, reflector gun sight with torpedo aiming bar, two cameras fitted in navigator’s cabin floor, three flare chutes and two rescue dinghies.

IMPA I-99; monoplane fighter, production ended July 1935.

IMPA TB-1 (Spartan TBN-7); carrier-based torpedo bomber, 40 built, production ended but can resume for attirition replacements.


Tucan

Tucan T-17; STOL armoured ground attack bomber; 490 built, production ended May 1936.

Tucan T-18 NB-1; carrier-based naval dive-bomber, 60 built, production ended but can resume with further orders.
Dimensions: span 14.05m; length 10.85; height 3.81m; wing area 28.98 sq m (46/ 35.7/ 12.6/ 312 sq ft)
Structure: all-metal monocoque fuselage in three sections with Z section fames and L section stringers with riveted stressed light alloy covering, light alloy used for cantilever tail construction and tailplane covering. Cantilever metal wing with two steel spars, all-metal split flaps and aluminium framed ailerons with fabric covering. Rudder and elevators aluminium framed with fabric covering. Underwing hydraulic-operated aluminium dive-brakes. Retractable main undercarriage with single oleo-pneumatic legs with pneumatic brakes, an un-retractable castoring tail wheel and catapult spools and retractable arrestor hook attached to the lower fuselage aft.
Weights: empty 5,712lbs, maximum take-off 8,000lbs
Powerplant: one 1000hp Spartan 1000 twin-row radial engine
Performance: max speed 270 mph; service ceiling 30,500ft; range 921 miles (800nm)
Capacity: pilot in enclosed cockpit forward, navigator/gunner behind in fuselage in enclosed cockpit facing aft, pilot protected by a 6mm thick armoured plate
Armament: four wing-mounted 7.62mm Browning MG, one manual dorsal mounting with 7.92mm FMG/M32 MG (drum feed), bombload 227kg (500lbs) on one ventral (500lbs) and two wing racks (250lbs each)
Equipment: full controls and navigation equipment including receiver/transmitter, Sperry autopilot, one rescue dinghy in wingroot and ventral camera fitted in cabin floor


Engines

FMA brought Roth-Packard's series of radial engines in 1933. These were the; 235hp Roth 7 cylinder single row radial engine (FMA RR-7-1), 700hp Roth-Packard 14 cylinder double radial engine (FMA RR-14-2) and the 650hp Roth 9 cylinder single row radial (FMA RR-9-1). Development from late 1935 has resulted in two new models. The 750hp RR-14-2-D and the 255hp RR-7-1-B.


Airlines

The national airline Aeravias Argentinas S.A. flies four Junkers Ju 52 airliners along with two second hand Junkers J.33 aircraft. 16 FMA I.Ae 5 are on order and should all be in service by late 1937.
Services are;
Cordoba-Santa Rosa-Viedma- Comodoro Rivadavia daily both ways
Cordoba-Salta twice daily both ways
Cordoba-Mendoza-Santiago bi-weekly both ways
Cordoba-Buenos Aires-Montevideo-Porto Alegre bi-weekly both ways
Cordoba-Montevideo three times weekly both ways
Cordoba-Asuncion once daily both ways
Comodoro Rivadavia-Puerto Deseado-Puerto Santa Cruz-Rio Gallegos bi-weekly both ways

The Posta Argentina has an aerial service to rural areas and Brazil via the SAE and, eventually, Chile. Aeroposta Argentina S.A. is equipped with six Ju 52 and three J33/34 land and seaplanes. Lufthansa pilots have already made several high-altitude Andes flights and with their help Aeroposta services now fly over the Andes regularly. Services are;
Cordoba-Realico-Rosa-Bahia Blanca daily both ways
Cordoba-San Miguel de Tucuman-Salta bi-weekly both ways
Comodoro Rivadavia-Puerto Deseado-Puerto Santa Cruz-Rio Gallegos bi-weekly both ways
Mendoza-Cordoba daily both ways
Bahia Blanca-Neuquen-San Luis-La Rioja bi-weekly both ways
Cordoba-Buenos Aires-Montevideo-Porto Alegre weekly both ways (VIP passengers and diplomatic mail by Ju 52 only)
Cordoba-Mendoza-Santiago bi-weekly both ways
Cordoba-Santiago del Estero-Formosa-Asuncion bi-weekly both ways

Compania Argentina de Aeronavegacion Tucan owned by the Tucan aircraft company flies three Fokker F.VIIB-3m trimotor airliners on four times weekly return services from Bahia Blanca to Cordoba, Comodoro Rividavia and Mendoza.

The Compania Argentina de Marinanavegacion Rividavia was formed January 1st 1937 with 12 FMA I.Ae.4 Courier mail planes. Since the projected mail ship carriers are not yet ready these aircraft are being used on land mail routes under Aeroposta Argentina S.A. contract with services to Paraguay and Grand Uruguay.
Comodoro Rivadavia-Puerto Deseado-Puerto Santa Cruz-Rio Gallegos bi-weekly both ways
Cordoba-Santiago del Estero-Formosa-Asuncion bi-weekly both ways
Cordoba-Santa Fe-Montevideo bi-weekly both ways
Bahia Blanca-Buenos Aires bi-weekly both ways
Bahia Blanca-Montevideo bi-weekly both ways

The National School of Aeronautics has eight FMA T-524, 23 I.Ae 2 and 22 I.Ae 3 trainers.

Chile is pretty pleased at it's I-01N acquisitions. They will form the fighter wings of the Mapuche's 1 and 2 Grupo, while Atlantean-built Corsair IIs will form the 3 Grupo fighter force.

ORDER OF BATTLE FUERZA AEREA ARGENTINA 1937

Each Regiment had three squadrons of 12 aircraft each. Will have three groups each with 24 aircraft = 72 aircraft. Each group divided into two 12 aircraft squadrons which break down further into three four aircraft flights.
E.g., Area Regimenta No1 has Area Grupo 1, 2 and 3, each squadron will be 1/1-1/2 for Grupo 1 and 2/1-2/2 for Grupo 2 etc, flights in a Grupo are designated A to I.

Aerea Regimenta No1 Military Air Base Cordoba, Province of Cordoba, Maj. General R. Burrquitos, Interception, currently 72 FMA I-01 Buchon

Aerea Regimenta No 2 Military Air Base Bahia Blanca, Province of Bahia Blanca, Major General de Aero P. M. Stallone, Interception, currently 24 FMA I-01 Buchon 48 FMA I-100A Barron

Aerea Regimenta No 3 Military Air Base “El Plumerillo” Mendoza, Province of Mendoza, Major General Baldomero Biedma, Light Bombers, currently 52 FMA M.B.2 bombers

Aerea Regimenta No 4 Military Air Base Santiago del Estero, Province of Santiago del Estero, Capitan de Aero G. Smith, Medium Bombers, currently 72 IMPA M.B.1 (Vanquish)

Aerea Regimenta No 5 Military Air Base Santa Rosa, Province of La Pamapa, Capitan de Aero Enrique Molina , Reconnaissance, currently only three squadrons, one with 6 FMA I-100A and two with 12 M.B.2 each

Aerea Regimenta No 6 Military Air Base San Miguel de Tucuman, Province of Tucuman, Major General Benjamin Matienzo, Interception, currently 72 I-100A/I-100C Barron

Aerea Regimenta No 7 Military Air Base Mercedes, Province of San Luis, Major General Luis Candelaria, Light Bombers and Ground Attack, currently 72 Tucan T-17

Aerea Regimenta No 8 Military Air Base San Luis, Province of San Luis, Major General Yuan Carreas, Bombers, currently 56 IMPA SI-21A (Sp-21 Vanquish II) and 24 IMPA SI-21T (Sp-21M)

Aerea Regimenta No 9 Military Air Base Renanco, Province of Cordoba, Capitan de Aero Cillion, Light Bombers and Ground Attack, currently 24 Tucan T-17 bombers and 40 TNCA A-1 Mapache ground attack fighters

Aerea Regimenta No 10 Military Air Base Santa Rosa, Province of Santa Rosa, Capitan de Aero Luis Tabbone, currently 32 IMPA SI-21A (Sp-21 Vanquish II) and 48 IMPA SI-21T (Sp-21M)

Aerea Regimenta No 11 [Disbanded 18/12/1936]

Aerea Regimenta No 12 (formerly Aerea Regimenta Paraguay), Military Air Base Ascuncion, Capitan de Aero Victoriano Martinez de Algeria, currently 24 FMA I-100A, 24 IMPA SI-21A (Sp-21 Vanquish II), and 24 Tucan T-17

Transport Squadron No1 (under Escula Regimenta command) Military Air Base Mercedes, Province of San Luis, Captain de Aero A. A. Azcacardo, two Junkers W34 and six Avro T-504 and five Junkers Ju 52

School of Military Aviation, Escula Regimenta (School Regiment) Military Air Base Cordoba, Province of Cordoba, Lieutenant General Oton Mantovant, currently 9 Avro 626 Prefect, 24 T-514, 72 FMA I.Ae 2/2T, 72 FMA I.Ae 3/3T, 3 FMA I.Ae 4T and 24 IMPA M.B.2B navigation trainers; one group at Military Air Base Mercedes (M.B.2B and I.Ae4T) and another at Military Air Base San Miguel de Tucuman (FMA I.Ae 3 advanced trainers)

School for Specialists (for NCOs) Military Air Base Cordoba, Province of Cordoba, Capitan de Aero F. Dominguez, has access to three T-514 and six each FMA I.Ae 2 and FMA I.Ae 3
Technical School Military Air Base Cordoba, Province of Cordoba, Maj. Gen Francesco
Anti-Shipping Tactical School, Naval Air Base Madryn, Province of Chubut, Major General de Aero Atilio Cataneo, currently 12 TBN-6A Seadart and 24 IMPA SI-21T (Sp-21M)
Bombing Tactical School Military Air Base San Miguel de Tucuman, Maj Gen. Horacio Vasquez, currently 30 Tucan T-17, 15 M.B.1 and 12 M.B.2
Fighter Tactical School Military Air Base “El Plumerillo” Mendoza, Maj. General P. M. Stallone, currently 30 FMA I-100 and 12 FMA I.Ae 3

Total aircraft: 1,105


ORDER OF BATTLE COMMANDO DE AVIACION NAVAL ARGENTINA 1937

Aerea Regimenta Naval
Squadron No1 Naval Air Base Madryn, Province of Chubut, Capitan de Navio Gallindez, 8 IMPA SI-21S, 1 FMA I.Ae 1D Guarani

Squadron No 2 Naval Air Base Bahia Blanca, Province of Bahia Blanca, Capitan de Aero Sabatina, 2 Junkers K43 seaplanes and 2 Heinkel HD38 seaplane fighters

Squadron No 3 Naval Air Base Rio Gallegos and Naval Air Base Puerto Deseado, Province of Santa Cruz, Capitan de Navio Horacio Smith, 8 IMPA SI-21S, 2 FMA I.Ae 1D Guarani

Squadron No 4 Naval Air Base Bahia Blanca, Capitan de Aero Gondez, 8 Westland Wapiti V

Squadron No 5 Naval Air Base Bahia Blanca, Capitan de Navio Pontros, 12 Fokker T.IVa, 1 FMA I.Ae 1D Guarani

Squadron No 6 Naval Air Base Bahia Blanca, Capitan de Aero Jarez, 5 FMA I.Ae 1 Guarani (8 IMPA SI-21S by 193

Squadron No 7 Naval Air Base Madryn, Province of Chubut, Capitan de Navio Albarrcin, currently 40 TBN-6A Seadart torpedo bombers

Squadron No 8 Naval Air Base Viedma, Capitan de Aero Jaccare, 48 FMA I.Ae 4S and 10 FMA I-100

Squadron No 9 Naval Air Base Bahia Blanca, Capitan de Navio Dominguez, 12 IMPA SI-21T (Sp-21M) and 12 FMA I-100 (another 24 IMPA SI-21T by Q4/37)

Bahia Blanca Fighter Squadron Naval Air Base Bahia Blanca, Capitan de Aero Cristobal, 16 FMA I-100A (60 Ripon-Bloch RB.132 fighters on order to create a Regimenta)

Independencia Carrier Wing, Capitan de Navio Santana
Independencia Squadron 1, 12 Mitsubishi NF-1 (A6M)
Independencia Squadron 2, 12 Tucan T-18 NB-1
Independencia Squadron 3, 12 Spartan NT-1 (TBN-7)

Guardabosques Carrier Wing, Capitan de Navio Jabrez
Guardabosques Squadron 1, 12 Mitsubishi NF-1 (A6M)
Guardabosques Squadron 2, with 12 Tucan NB-1
Guardabosques Squadron 3, 12 Spartan NT-1 (TBN-7)

Escula de Aviacion Naval Group Naval Air Base Bahia Blanca, Capitan de Navio Smith, 8 FMA N-504 seaplanes, 9 FMA T-514 and 18 FMA I.Ae 2, 36 FAM I.Ae.3/3T

Escula de Aviacion Naval Group B Naval Air Base Bahia Blanca, Capitan de Aero San Pablo, 8 Tucan NB-1, 8 Spartan NT-1 and 8 Mitsubishi NF-1 (A6M)

Total aircraft: 354

Now peace has returned FMA is designing some new civil aircraft for 1937.

FMA I.Ae 6T
Developed during 1936-37 to replace the T-514 in the basic trainer role the FAA has ordered 24 with options on a further 24. These aircraft will have the construction numbers C/N01001-C/N02024
Dimensions: span 12.3m; length 8.2; height 2.5m
Structure: circular-section steel-tube fuselage truss with light alloy forward fuselage covering and fabric aft, light alloy used for tail construction with fabric covering. The biplane wings consist of steel main spars and struts with aluminium ribs with fabric covering, plywood leading edge. Simple pneumatic flaps are fitted to the lower wings and fabric covered ailerons on upper and lower wings. Fixed main undercarriage with a non-retractable castoring tail wheel
Weights: empty 1,477lbs, maximum take-off 2,125lbs
Powerplant: one 150hp Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major 1Aseven-cylinder air-cooled radial
Performance: max speed 109mph; service ceiling 14,750ft; range 434 miles full fuel load
Capacity: instructor and student in open tandem cockpits
Armament: None but four 15kg practise bombs can be carried underwing
Equipment: full controls and navigation equipment including receiver/transmitter, compass and HD/DF

FMA I.Ae 7
Developed to the specifications laid down by Aeravias Argentinas S.A. in late 1936 for a new long-range airliner the I.Ae 7 should fly during late 1937 and enter service in 1938. This is the biggest aircraft yet attempted in Argentina and it should be technically equal to any type available form America or Europe. Ten have been ordered by Aeravias Argentinas S.A. off the drawing board. These aircraft will have the construction numbers C/N01001-C/N01010. Future developments may include a pressure-cabin for higher altitude flights.
Dimensions; span 32m; length 25m; wing area 1,300 sq ft; wing loading 32.5lb/sq ft
Structure: all-metal monocoque fuselage with I section fames and L section stringers with stressed light alloy covering, light alloy used for cantilever tail construction and tailplane covering. Cantilever metal wing with three I section steel spars, hydraulically-activated all-metal split flaps and aluminium framed ailerons with aluminium covering. Rudder and elevators aluminium framed with aluminium covering. Retractable hydraulically-raised main undercarriage with single oleo-pneumatic legs with twin pneumatic brakes and a retractable castoring tail wheel
Weights: loaded (short haul) 42,000lbs
Powerplant: four 1,380hp Bristol Hercules IVC twin-row radial engines
Performance: max speed at 13,000ft 275mph; cruising speed at 60% rated power 225mph; range with full fuel load in still air at 50% rated power 1,700miles; stalling speed 70mph; payload of 500 miles 9,500lbs; payload for 1,700 miles 4,500lbs
Capacity: pilot and co-pilot in cockpit with navigator and radio-operator in a cabin behind, aft of this is a mail hold and galley, then the main compartment 9.75m long; 3m wide; 2.13m high seating 36 passengers four-abreast, aft is male and female toilets and baggage compartment, another is located under the forward cabin floor
Equipment: full controls and navigation equipment including receiver/transmitter, HF/DF set, Sperry autopilot and four rescue dinghies

Do you have a picture of the IAe.7? First flight in late 37 with an in service date of 38 is probably pushing things a bit. For something that size around 5-6 years from initial design to in service with probably 2 years after first flight.

Two small light aircraft are to be built this year. One of each will be built for testing. The I.Ae 9 is expected to make several record-breaking distance attempts beofre being handed over to Aeroposta Argentina.

FMA I.Ae 8
Designed as a three-seat touring aircraft for the export market.
Dimensions: span 10.2m; length 7.32m; wing area 16.8 sq m; wing loading 53kg/ sq m; power loading 7.4kg/hp
Structure: steel-tube fuselage truss with light alloy fuselage covering and fabric aft, light alloy used for tail construction and tailplane covering. Wooden wing with two spars, all-metal split flaps and wooden ailerons with fabric covering. Rudder and elevators aluminium framed with fabric covering. Fixed main undercarriage in spats with a non-retractable castoring tail wheel
Weights: empty 566kg, all-up weight 891kg
Powerplant: one 120hp de Havilland Gipsy Major
Performance: max speed 130mph; service ceiling 14700ft; landing speed 51mph; take-off run 200m; landing run 340m; range 447 miles
Capacity: pilot and two passengers in cabin
Equipment: full controls and navigation equipment including receiver/transmitter and Sperry autopilot

FMA I.Ae 9
Designed as a two-seat racing aircraft with a secondary mail plane role.
Dimensions: span 11m; length 7.17m; wing area 15.6 sq m; wing loading 77kg/ sq m; power loading 8.02kg/hp
Structure: steel-tube fuselage truss with forward fuselage light alloy fuselage covering with plywood aft of the firewall, light alloy used for tail and tailplane construction with fabric covering. Wooden wing with two spars with no flaps, wooden ailerons with fabric covering. Rudder and elevators aluminium framed with fabric covering. Simple manually-retractable main undercarriage with a non-retractable tail skid
Weights: empty 558kg, all-up weight 1,204kg
Powerplant: one 150hp Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major 1Aseven-cylinder air-cooled radial
Performance: max speed 238mph; landing speed 58mph; take-off run 210m; range 1,860 miles
Capacity: pilot in cockpit and engineer/navigator or passenger in fuselage compartment with flush canopy
Equipment: full controls and navigation equipment including receiver/transmitter, HD/DF, Sperry autopilot and an extra fuel tank can be carried in the passenger/cargo compartment