Agresta-Faraci AF-34 Night Fighter
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Agresta-Faraci AF-34 | |
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Agrest-Faraci AF-34 line drawing. | |
Role | Night fighter |
National origin | Cacertian Empire |
Manufacturer | Agresta-Faraci |
First flight | 26 May 1932 |
Introduction | 11 August 1934 |
Retired | 11 June 1948 |
Primary user | Cacertian Royal Air Fleet |
Produced | 1933—1938 |
The Agresta-Faraci AF-34, commonly referred to by crews as the Oca (English: Goose) for its large size, was the first operational night fighter of the Cacertian Royal Air Fleet. It was one of the largest fighters deployed by the Cacertian Empire during the Siduri War and also the first Cacertian aircraft designed specifically to house and use a radar. Unique among other aircraft developed by Cacerta’s industries, the AF-34 was an all-metal, twin-engine, twin boom design armed with four 20 mm autocannons and a ventral, remotely operated turret.
It was considered a relatively successful design for the time and saw service in all the theaters of the Siduri War, especially on the Tennaiite Front where the air war was a significant component of combat. A carrier-based version of the AF-34, designated the AF-34M, was also developed, but did not enter service until 1936. The AF-34, along with most propeller-drive aircraft, were retired by the CRAF in the late 1940s after the development of jet-propelled aircraft.
Development
Design
Operational History
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Crew: 2–3 (pilot, radar operator, optional turret gunner)
- Length: 15.11 m (49 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan: 20.12 m (66 ft 0 in)
- Height: 4.47 m (14 ft 8 in)
- Wing Area: 61.54 m² (662.4 ft²)
- Empty Weight: 10,637 kg (23,450 lbs)
- Gross Weight: 13,472 kg (29,700 lbs)
- Powerplant: 2 × A.F 2800-65 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines
- Propellers: 4-bladed, 3.72 m (12 ft 2 in) diameter constant-speed feathering propellers
Performance
- Maximum Speed: 589 km/h (367 mph) at altitude
- Cruise Speed: 503 km/h (313 mph) at altitude
- Range: 2,170 km (1,350 mi, 1,170 nmi)
- Service Ceiling: 10,100 m (33,100 ft)
Armament
- Guns: 4 × 20 mm cannons with 800 rounds, 4 × MG50 HMGs in remotely operated, full-traverse upper turret
- Payload: 725 kg (1,600 lbs) in underwing pylons