S.A.I. (Ambrosini) S.207

Evolved from the S.107 lightweight single-seat fighter and featuring a similar wooden structure with monocoque fuselage, the S.207 was essentially a more powerful, productionised version of the basic design. The first of two prototypes of the S.207 was flown in the autumn of 1940, and was powered by an Isotta-Fraschini Delta R.C.35 12-cylinder inverted-Vee air-cooled engine rated at 705hp, this giving place in the second prototype to the R.C.40 version of the engine rated at 750hp at 4000m. Armament comprised two synchronised 12.7mm machine guns, and a pre-series of 12 S.207s was built during March-July 1943, several of these being assigned to the 83^a Squadriglia (18° Gruppo, 3° Stormo) for evaluation, and six being assigned in August 1943 to the 162^a and 163^a squadriglie (161° Gruppo). These demonstrated excellent handling characteristics and outstanding manoeuvrability, prompting the Ministero dell'Aeronautica to order 2,000 S.207s. In the event, this contract was to be overtaken by an order for a progressive development of the fighter, the S.403 Dardo. One pre-series S.207 was fitted with an armament of two 20mm cannon.

3-View

A three-view drawing (1663 x 1310)