Something about the ricci brothers:
Umberto Ricci, born in Verona on November 26, 1886
Ettore Ricci, born in Verona on November 30, 1888:
they started their aeronautical career in 1905, building little hot air rigid airship models.
After some free flight gliders, they built a triple-tandem hydroplane in 1912 - Ricci 0
powered by an inline Daimler 6 cyl engine. This aircraft flew in 1914
During the first World War they built a three engine biplane twin fuselage seaplane.
This one wass built in Naples and was intended to carry two torpedoes - The fuselages are very similar to the FBA flying Boats, built under license by the same firm.
The engines were two Isotta Fraschini V4 and a center line mounted Fiat A 12 bis.Wingspan: 28 metres
lenght 14 mt the seaplane went lost during her first flight.
The second prototype flew in 1919.
During 1918 the ricci brothers also designed a large gull-wing seaplane with a pylon mounted engine: the aircraft was intended to leverage the ground effect flying at low altitude to deliver its payload (2 torpedoes, buried inside the fuselage)
After the war the prototype was converted into a 10 seat passenger aircraft.
following the Ricci 3, 4 and 5 were the prelude to transatlantic flying boats, the latter intended to carry 150 passengers between Naples and New-York.
These projects did not gain financial support.
The little Ricci triplane (only 3,45 mt wingspan) was designed during the war, but it was built only in 1918.
The diminutive aircraft was entered in a popular aviation contest for an aerial motorcycle with a wingspan under six meters.
The contest was held in july 1919 and placed third, after the Macchi M16 and the Pensuti triplane.
The aircraftwas named Ricci R6 and a two place version - Ricci 9 - was developed in 1921.
During 1921 the Ricci brothers started the construction of a large airship: the Ricci-Vaugean-Gargiulo A.V.3, intended to carry 100 passengers: lenght 120 mt; diameter: 33 mt. The project never flew.
In the followin years the firm built some motor boats and some FBA flying boats for the Grece.
They also designed a beating-wing hydro and a little folding wing catapultable fighter to be carried inside a submarine.
The ricci R6 gained new interest in the following years, to be used in the colonies.A newly built example was purchased by the Regia Aeronautica and allotted the MM.167.
After the second world war the busy brothers designed some interesting VTOLs and a giant transatlantic 350 tons aircraft, with a two decks fuselage and ten tubular wings.
Umberto Ricci, born in Verona on November 26, 1886
Ettore Ricci, born in Verona on November 30, 1888:
they started their aeronautical career in 1905, building little hot air rigid airship models.
After some free flight gliders, they built a triple-tandem hydroplane in 1912 - Ricci 0
powered by an inline Daimler 6 cyl engine. This aircraft flew in 1914
During the first World War they built a three engine biplane twin fuselage seaplane.
This one wass built in Naples and was intended to carry two torpedoes - The fuselages are very similar to the FBA flying Boats, built under license by the same firm.
The engines were two Isotta Fraschini V4 and a center line mounted Fiat A 12 bis.Wingspan: 28 metres
lenght 14 mt the seaplane went lost during her first flight.
The second prototype flew in 1919.
During 1918 the ricci brothers also designed a large gull-wing seaplane with a pylon mounted engine: the aircraft was intended to leverage the ground effect flying at low altitude to deliver its payload (2 torpedoes, buried inside the fuselage)
After the war the prototype was converted into a 10 seat passenger aircraft.
following the Ricci 3, 4 and 5 were the prelude to transatlantic flying boats, the latter intended to carry 150 passengers between Naples and New-York.
These projects did not gain financial support.
The little Ricci triplane (only 3,45 mt wingspan) was designed during the war, but it was built only in 1918.
The diminutive aircraft was entered in a popular aviation contest for an aerial motorcycle with a wingspan under six meters.
The contest was held in july 1919 and placed third, after the Macchi M16 and the Pensuti triplane.
The aircraftwas named Ricci R6 and a two place version - Ricci 9 - was developed in 1921.
During 1921 the Ricci brothers started the construction of a large airship: the Ricci-Vaugean-Gargiulo A.V.3, intended to carry 100 passengers: lenght 120 mt; diameter: 33 mt. The project never flew.
In the followin years the firm built some motor boats and some FBA flying boats for the Grece.
They also designed a beating-wing hydro and a little folding wing catapultable fighter to be carried inside a submarine.
The ricci R6 gained new interest in the following years, to be used in the colonies.A newly built example was purchased by the Regia Aeronautica and allotted the MM.167.
After the second world war the busy brothers designed some interesting VTOLs and a giant transatlantic 350 tons aircraft, with a two decks fuselage and ten tubular wings.