AERFER Leone

[archipeppe]

Just a first glance...

 

[walter]

This is the Leone under construction

 

[archipeppe]

Yep, I utilize this shot as reference.

But it still unclear to me if it is the first prototype (that was completed as 80% before the programme was scrubbed) or only a engineering mock-up, perhaps Skybolt could clarify this aspect.

 

[Justo Miranda]

From
"Dal SAI Ambrosini Sagittario All'Aerfer Leone"
by Giuseppe Ciampaglia
Aviolibri Dossier 2

 

[archipeppe]

From
"Dal SAI Ambrosini Sagittario All'Aerfer Leone"
by Giuseppe Ciampaglia
Aviolibri Dossier 2

Manyt thanks Justo.

I've already had this image but it seems to represent an intermediate stage between Ariete and Leone (perhaps the rumored Sagittario III), a lot of things doesn't accord with the mock-up/prototype image.

 

[XP67_Moonbat]

Giuseppe,

You always deliver the goods, man. Great job!

 

[archipeppe]

Giuseppe,

You always deliver the goods, man. Great job!

Many Thanks Moon.... ;D

 

[Machdiamond]

Interesting inboard profile.
In case of uncontained engine failure, if the pilot was not shreded to pieces by the turbine blades, the fuel tank behind his instrument panel would spill inside the cockpit with hot shrapnel.
People knew no fear in those days. :-X
--Luc

 

[Skybolt]

Uh, I have all my books packed up (redoing the floor tiles in a few days now), but I think to remember that the photo posted by Walter was an engineering mock-up of the first version of the Leone. I have some photocopies of docs somewhere (not in the packs). I'll try and find them.
As for the danger of flying those planes, the worst case was less exploding engines than sabotaged primary and secondary brake circuits....

 

[archipeppe]

Uh, I have all my books packed up (redoing the floor tiles in a few days now), but I think to remember that the photo posted by Walter was an engineering mock-up of the first version of the Leone. I have some photocopies of docs somewhere (not in the packs). I'll try and find them.
As for the danger of flying those planes, the worst case was less exploding engines than sabotaged primary and secondary brake circuits....

A question, what kind of missiles should carry on the Leone?
First version of Sidewinder, or something else?

 

[Skybolt]

I think Stefanutti was thinking of unguided rockets, not missiles. Leone was a point interceptor. He steered away from other roles to avoid, er, interdiction by a certain competitor. And even then it wasn't enough to save the project from cancellation.

 

[Petrus]

A question, what kind of missiles should carry on the Leone?
First version of Sidewinder, or something else?

The Italians worked in those day on their indigenous air-to-air missile that is usually referred to as the C-7. It seems probable that an Italian fighter would have been armed with Italian weapons, don't you think?

Here you may find a picture and sketches of the missile as well as an excerpt from the Flight magazine on the C-7.

Best regards,
Piotr

 

[archipeppe]

Many, many thanks Piotr.
I knew about the SISPRE C-7 but never seen an image about that.

So I will represent my Leone with two C-7 beneath the wing.

 

[Artie Bob]

"In case of uncontained engine failure, if the pilot was not shreded to pieces by the turbine blades, the fuel tank behind his instrument panel would spill inside the cockpit with hot shrapnel." One of the aircraft in my squadron threw a turbine blade into the main fuel cell, sitting on the ramp. The result was an instantaneous fireball. No worry about fuel running intothe cockpit.

Best regards,

Artie Bob

 

[Skybolt]

Peppe, are you sure that the Leone was buot to carry missile under the wing ?

 

[archipeppe]

Peppe, are you sure that the Leone was buot to carry missile under the wing ?

Relatively sure, scarce sources and references are about the Leone.
Wikipedia speaks about two missile:

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerfer_Leone

and over the net I found another image (unfortunately too much small) of the Leone's mock-up with two external tanks under the wing, thorough two pylons. So I thought about that ones could be also utilized to carry missiles.

 

[archipeppe]

Another question, what MM did was assigned to the first Leone prototype (if ever)??

 

[archipeppe]

Work in progress#2....

 

[archipeppe]

Work in progress#3, the next one will be the definitive 3-views.

 

[archipeppe]

Here we are.

 

[Justo Miranda]

 

[archipeppe]

And now a little "what if", this drawing represents an Aerfer Leone of the 4th Italian Air Force Wing, based in Grosseto (Tuscany), in July 1969.
Armed with a couple of SISPRE C-7 I/R AA Missiles beneath the wing.

 

[archipeppe]

Inside Leone....

 

[visvirtusvoluntas]

Two more images of Leone. The mock-up (not prototype, I think) shows what could be a Firestreak missile. In the B/W image the shape of that weapons are clearer.

 

[Nico]

Wow! First time I see a front view of the Leone's mock-up.
Yes, the air-to-air missile are definitely two deHavilland Propellers Firestreak Mk.1
Many thanks


Nico

 

[Petrus]

AERFER Ariete II

It should be noted that there was a project 'between' Aerfer Ariete and Leone: Ariete II. It was to have the Orpheus engine in stead of the Derwent and armament more powerful than that of Ariete (I): in addition to the pair of 30mm HS guns it was to have a rocket pack consisting of two 9-rocket launchers. Here you've got drawings showing the arrangements.

Piotr

 

[hesham]

Re: AERFER Ariete II

It should be noted that there was a project 'between' Aerfer Ariete and Leone: Ariete II. It was to have the Orpheus engine in stead of the Derwent and armament more powerful than that of Ariete (I): in addition to the pair of 30mm HS guns it was to have a rocket pack consisting of two 9-rocket launchers. Here you've got drawings showing the arrangements.

Piotr

Wow,thank you my dear Petrus.

 

[hesham]

Re: AERFER Ariete II

It should be noted that there was a project 'between' Aerfer Ariete and Leone: Ariete II. It was to have the Orpheus engine in stead of the Derwent and armament more powerful than that of Ariete (I): in addition to the pair of 30mm HS guns it was to have a rocket pack consisting of two 9-rocket launchers. Here you've got drawings showing the arrangements.

Piotr

From Aerei Nella Storia 12-2010/1-2011