Bonomi Designations (Aeronautica Vittorio Bonomi)

[Apophenia]

Aeronautica Vittorio Bonomi Designations

Designer for Bonomi was Dr Ing Camillo Silva, explaining the BS-xx system used to designate Bonomi glider and sailplane designs. Most were assigned popular names as well (my attempt at translating those names comes at the end of this entry).

Most construction was carried out by Aeronautica Lombarda (aka AVIA) - hence the common use of Aeronautica Lombarda BS-28, etc. In 1937, Lombarda bought out Aeronautica Vittorio Bonomi.

Prior to becoming part of Aeronautica Lombarda, Bonomi built at least two other designs that are outside of his designation system - the 1929 Bonomi 25 Monoplano and the 1936 Bossi-Bonomi Pedaliante human-powered aircraft.

Bonomi 25 - Monoplano, 1929 two-seat cabin monoplane designed by Ing Ugo Abate

Bossi-Bonomi Pedaliante, 1936 human-powered aircraft, designed by Enea Bossi
-- built by Vittorio Bonomi, flown by cyclist Emilio Casco, 80 flights made
-- Empty weight 97 kg (213 lbs), wingspan 17.7 m, 1 built

Startplano Bonomi-Silva - a name (rather than a designation) for a powered/glider pick-a-back combination proposal circa 1939. http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,3157.0.html

B.S.01 -- Aeroberlina, I-AANQ, aka "Bonomi 1"

B.S.02 Balestruccio - 1929 gull-wing single-seat sailplane, span 17.14, x 1
- B.S.02: Wikipedia says Camillo Silva-designed B.S.02 flew 1932
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonomi_BS.2_Balestruccio
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=269

B.S.03 -- [??]

B.S.04 Basettino - 1936 parasol-wing single-seat Zögling-type glider, span 12.11 m, x 2
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=274

B.S.05 Ballerina - 1932 single-seat training glider, span 16.00 m, x ??
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=275

B.S.06 Bigiarella - 1930 single-seat glider, no details

B.S.07 Allievo Italia - 1929 single-seat primary training glider, span 11.14 m, x ~8
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=277

B.S.08 Biancone - 1932 single-seat parasol training glider, span 13.40 m, x 5
- B.S.08 Biancone Idro floatplane conv., tow-launched by motor launch
-- * Wikipedia says 6 x B.S.08 Biancone were built
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonomi_BS.8_Biancone
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=278

B.S.09 Bertina - 1933 experimental glider, Burnelli wing w/ endplates, 9.28 m, x 1
- B.S.09 Bertina II: 1933 single-seat triagular-plan glider

B.S.10 Ardea - 1933* parasol-wing aerobatic glider, span 19.00m, x 1
-- * Wikipedia says B.S.10 Ardea first flight in 1934
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonomi_BS.10_Ardea
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=263

B.S.11 Milano - 1934 single-seat primary training glider, span 10.92 m, x ??
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=3604

B.S.12 Roma - 1934 single-seat primary training glider, span 20.00 m, x ??
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=165

B.S.13 - [??]

B.S.14 Astore - 1932 2-seat training sailplane, span 17.60 m, x 10
B.S.14: B.S.5 Ballerina deriv. Wikipedia says only 1 built in 1935
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonomi_BS.14_Astore
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=264

B.S.15 Bigiarella - 1934 single-seat sailplane, span 13.40 m, x 3
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonomi_BS.15_Bigiarella
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=265

B.S.16 Allievo Bonomi - 1929 single-seat primary glider, span 10.45 m, x +60
- B.S.16 Allievo Bonomi: Zögling-style open-frame training glider
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonomi_BS.16_Allievo_Bonomi
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=266

B.S.17 Allievo Cantù - 1930 single-seat primary glider, span 10.45 m, x 50
- B.S.17 Allievo Cantù: Wikipedia says 1934, more than 100 B.S.17 built
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonomi_BS.17_Allievo_Cant%C3%B9
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=267

B.S.18 Airone - 1933 single-seat gull-wing sailplane, span 13.37 m, x 5
- B.S.18 Airone: Wikipedia lists as 1 x 1936 training glider
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonomi_BS.18_Airone
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=268

B.S.19 Alca - 1936 motor glider, 1 x 20-25 hp HO2, span 14.5 m, x 1
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=3080

B.S.20 Albanella - 1939 sailplane, span 15.25 m, x 1 (or 2)
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonomi_BS.20_Albanella
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=270

B.S.21 - [??]

B.S.22 Alzavola - 1934 motor glider vers, of B.S.15 Bigiarella, x 1
- B.S.22 Alzavola: 18 hp or 25 hp pusher motor above wing
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonomi_BS.22_Alzavola
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=3081

B.S.23 - [??]

B.S.24 Biposta Roma - 1930 2-seat training glider, span 14.18 m, x 6
- B.S.24 Biposta Roma: Wikipedia says 1935 first flight
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonomi_BS.24_Biposto_Roma
-- https://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeur-fiche_0int.php?code=271

B.S.25 - [Project] Twin-engined* twin-tailled assault-bomber
-- * Powerplants buried in wings
-- http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,2049.msg135297.html#msg135297

B.S.26 - [??]
B.S.27 - [??]

B.S.28 Alcione - 1937 single-seat sailplane, span 14.50 m, x ~4
- B.S.28 Alcione: Hexagonal section fuselage, 2 ailerons/2 spoilers
-- aka Lombarda B.S.28 (Lombarda took over Bonomi
- B.S.28 Aerodinamico: 1938 ovoid fuselage vers., x 1

Aeronautica Vittorio Bonomi glider name translations:

Aerodinamico - Aerodynamic
Airone - Heron
Albanella - Montagu's Harrier
Alca - Razorbill
Alcione - Kingfisher
Allievo Bonomi - Bonomi Student
Allievo Cantù - Cantù Student
Allievo Italia - Italy Student
Alzavola - Cinnamon Teal
Ardea - Great Heron
Astore - Long-tailed Hawk
Balestruccio - House Martin
Ballerina - Wagtail
Basettino - Bearded Tit
Bertina - [Female name?]
Biancone - Short-toed Snake-Eagle
Bigiarella - Warbler (Whitethroat)
Roma - Rome
______________________________

 

[Maveric]

Thanks Apophenia, great list! :

Servus Maveric

 

[Apophenia]

Cheers Maveric but I completely forgot the Startplano Bonomi-Silva pick-a-back project :-[

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,3157.0.html

 

[Sandy22]

Hello,
I have found a reference to BS.2 Aeroberlina (c/n 1) Italian civil registration I-AANQ here: http://www.airhistory.org.uk/gy/reg_I-.html
Ciao

 

[Apophenia]

Well spotted. I-AANQ is listed there as a "Bonomi 1 Aeroberlina". So, this would actually be the Bonomi BS.1, right?

The 1929 date makes since, since we're talking about a glider designed by Camillo Silva before the BS.2 Balestruccio.

 

[hesham]

Hi,


here is some Bonomi glider drawings.


http://www.avia-it.com/act/biblioteca/libri/PDF_Libri_By_AVIA/Annuario%20dell'Aeronautica%20italiana%201934.pdf

 

[Maveric]

Can you name the models?

 

[hesham]

Can you name the models?

Only two;


# II was BS.9,# IV was BS.5.

 

[Maveric]

Thanks hesham, anybod ycan help?

 

[hesham]

The BS.25 was here;

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,2049.msg135297.html#msg135297

 

[hesham]

Hi,

here is the BS-11 Milano and BS-12 Roma;

http://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeurs-liste_complete_int.php

 

[hesham]

here is the BS-11 Milano and BS-12 Roma;

http://www.j2mcl-planeurs.net/dbj2mcl/planeurs-machines/planeurs-liste_complete_int.php

My dear Apophenia,

please add those gliders to the list,and here is a strange monoplane,maybe it was BS-3 ?.

http://www.avia-it.com/act/biblioteca/periodici/PDF%20Riviste/Ala%20d'Italia/L'ALA%20D'ITALIA%201929%2005.pdf

 

[hesham]

Hi,

the first one was Bonomi Alca,what was the second one ?.

http://www.avia-it.com/act/biblioteca/periodici/PDF%20Riviste/Ala%20d'Italia/L'ALA%20D'ITALIA%201935%2001.pdf

 

[Apophenia]

the first one was Bonomi Alca,what was the second one ?

As you say, the top is the B.S.19 Alca, bottom is the B.S.22 Alzavola.

 

[hesham]

Nice Info my dear Apophenia.

 

[hesham]

Very strange,

in this PDF,they wrote on this glider a Cantu,but it was not like it,can anyone ID it,and if it
was belong to Bonomi or not ?.

http://avl.it/files/Cantu_citta_degli_alianti.pdf

 

[hesham]

From Ali Nuove 12/1959,

a more Info about Bonomi BS.6.

 

[Apophenia]

...
in this PDF,they wrote on this glider a Cantu,but it was not like it,can anyone ID it,and if it
was belong to Bonomi or not ?...

A reply to an old post I know but ... the name is not 'Cantu'. The caption reads: "Aliante Bertina a Cantù", that is: A Bertina glider at Cantù.

So, yes, this was the Bonomi BS.9 Bertina II glider of 1933.

 

[hesham]

...
in this PDF,they wrote on this glider a Cantu,but it was not like it,can anyone ID it,and if it
was belong to Bonomi or not ?...

A reply to an old post I know but ... the name is not 'Cantu'. The caption reads: "Aliante Bertina a Cantù", that is: A Bertina glider at Cantù.

So, yes, this was the Bonomi BS.9 Bertina II glider of 1933.

Thank you my dear Apophenia.

 

[Hap Hazard]

Does anyone know of the following regarding Vittorio Bonomi?

During World War I, he became a fighter pilot and was later declared unfit for further military service due to wounds suffered in various flying accidents. Does anyone know what he flew during the WW1 and where he was based? Can anyone also confirm if he was discharged from military service in September 1919 having flown more than 100 missions.

Also does anyone know where his grave is?

HH

 

[hesham]

Welcome aboard Hap Hazzard,

that's need a search,I will do.

 

[Apophenia]

Hap Hazard: Don't know if this helps ...

Vittorio Bonomi began as a reconnaissance pilot. In May 1916, sottotenenti Bonomi was with the newly-formed 48ª Squadriglia, VII Gruppo, at Belluno in the Veneto region. At that point 48ª Squadriglia's Farman MF.11s were about to be replaced by twin-engined Caudron G.4s

By May 1917, tenente Bonomi commanded a new fighter unit - 2ª Sezione, 83ª Squadriglia of the XII Gruppo - still at Belluno. II/83ª Squadriglia flew the Macchi-Nieuport 11. (The best-known of 2ª Sezione pilots was sergente Arturo Dell'Oro, killed in a ramming attack on 01 Sept 1917.) By November 1917, II/83ª Squadriglia had relocated to Marcon near Venice. In 1918, 2ª Sezione became part of the IX Gruppo Ricognizione d'Armata e Caccia at Castendedolo.