[Lone Sentry: WW2 Enemy Airborne Forces]
  ©2006
 [Lone Sentry: Photos, Articles, and Research on the European Theater in World War II]
Home Page | Site Map | What's New | Contact: info@lonesentry.com
Enemy Air-Borne Forces, Military Intelligence Service, Special Series No. 7, December 2, 1942
[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the wartime U.S. War Department publication. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

52. ITALIAN INTEREST IN GLIDING

There is little doubt that the Italians, with their knowledge of wooden aircraft construction and their experience with light gliders, could readily manufacture efficient troop-carrying gliders, similar to those used by the Germans. Statistics given in the Italian press during 1940, and the number of gliding certificates issued to pilots, would indicate that Italy has been glider-conscious for some time. The following gliders, none suitable for carrying valuable military loads, have been mentioned: Cantu, Grifo, Borea, Asiago, Superfrifo, Pellicano, Sparviero, CAT-15, CAT-20, CAT-28, CAT-BP, and AL-3. The latter has a very shallow angle of glide and holds the Italian endurance record. The type for which the following details are listed is the trainer, CAT-15:

Span    _ _ _ _ _    35.1 ft
Length    _ _ _ _ _    18.3 ft
Height    _ _ _ _ _    6.6 ft
Wing area    _ _ _ _ _    158 sq ft
Empty weight    _ _ _ _ _    206 lbs
Wingloading    _ _ _ _ _    2.3 lbs per sq ft
Gliding angle    _ _ _ _ _    1 in 15
Rate of descent    _ _ _ _ _    3.3 ft per sec
 

[Back to Table of Contents, WWII Enemy Airborne Forces] Back to Table of Contents

Advertisement