Altomare C.53 Passero
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| Altomare C.53 Passero | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Fighter-bomber |
| National origin |  Luminerra
|
| Manufacturer | Altomare Aviation |
| First flight | July 7, 1951 |
| Introduction | October 19, 1953 |
| Retired | 1982 |
| Primary user | Lumenic Air Force |
| Variants | Altomare A.62 Scorpione |
The Altomare C.53 Passero is a lightweight yet aircraft built by Altomare Aviation of Luminerra and the first tactical jet aircraft to see wide spread service in the Lumenic Air Force. The Altomare C.53 first entered service as a light fighter aircraft and in 1953, and would be adapted into a light fighter-bomber roll with the adoption of the Altomare A.62 Scorpione, an improved, twin engine version of the Altomare C.53 Passero.
The Altomare C.53 Passero was one of the longest service aircraft in the history of the Lumenic Air Force, serving for over 30 years. Part of the Altomare C.53 Passero's long service life is owed to the Omandan Continental War and Luminerra's inability to devote efforts to research and development of new aircraft during a large scale invasion of its territory and subsequent counterattack to drive the Soviet Order forces from southern Omand, and a constant need for aircraft over the battlefield, as well as insufficient resources for retooling into other production lines following the successful removal of Soviet Order forces. Although it would be supplemented by the Notreceauen designed Prévoyance Épée III and the Licanan I-36 in Lumenic service, the Altomare C.53 Passero would continue to serve with front line combat units until the early 1980's.
History and development
Design
The Altomare C.53 was designed for rough-filed operation,. featuring a tricycle type landing gear configuration and a strengthened undercarriage. Comprehensive service kits were developed to allow for untrained or semi-trained ground crew to service the aircraft at forward operating airstrips under the direction of a single skilled officer. Though generally these measureless are taken by nations utilizing conscript forces, the Aisling military, which is an all-volunteer force, opted to include these features so that other non-essential ground personnel could be used to service aircraft if necessary, thereby ensuring rapid sortie generation.
The aircraft was one of the first Aisling production aircraft to feature a radio navigation and attack system with up to 12 pre-fixed stations can be dialed into the nav/attack system during any moment of flight, with track-to-steer and distance-to-go presentation on the aircraft's heads-up display. The aircraft was equipped with a rear-opening clam shell canopy and a single ejection seat which could be utilized at zero altitude but required the aircraft to be moving at at least 105 miles per hours to be engaged.
Operational history
Variants
- Altomare C.53:: Production aircraft entering service in 1953
- Altomare C.53A:: Production two seat variant, served as an advanced and lead-in fighter trainer, retained combat capability.
- Altomare RC.53:: Two seat battlefield reconnaissance and surveillance built from Altomare C.53A with improved avionics and photographic equipment in the nose featuring a single forward-looking camera along with two side looking cameras.
- Altomare A.59 Single seat ground attack aircraft, equipped with jet-assisted take-off equipment to increase take off ability at maximum payload and shortening the take off run to 4,000 ft from a "semi-prepared" runway. Also received an upgraded Vaccari AE-231-2 engine, which would become standard on all production aircraft as of 1962.
- Altomare C.53B: 1959 upgrade for the Altomare C.53 giving it the ability to function as a fighter-bomber, allowing it to carry up to four missiles, including the Cagna air to ground missiles. To accommodate the newer systems and equipment being mounted into the airframe, one of the aircraft's two ARO CAPA.201 20 mm cannons was removed.
- Altomare A.62 Scorpione: A twin engine fighter-bomber built from the Athar AL-1 this aircraft offers higher gross weight and payload than the original L-1
- Altomare U.80: Retired fighters converted into target tug aircraft.
Specifications
Altomare C.53
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 10.3 m (33 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 8.56 m (28 ft 1 in)
- Height: 4.0 m (13 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 16.4 m² (177 ft²)
- Empty weight: 3,100 kg (6,830 lb)
- Loaded weight: 5,440 kg (11,990 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 5,500 kg (12,100 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Vaccari AE-231 turbojet, 22.2 kN (5,000 lbf)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 1,075 km/h (580 kn, 668 mph)
- Range: 1,150 km (621 nmi, 715 mi)
- Service ceiling: 13,100 m (43,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 30 m/s (6,000 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 331 kg/m² (67.8 lb/ft²)
- Thrust/weight: 0.42
Armament
- Guns: 2 x ARO CAPA.2038 20 mm cannons
- Hardpoints : 4× under-wing pylon stations holding up to maximum of 1,814 kg/4,000 lb of payload
- Rockets: Vaccari RAPS 81 mm rockets or SNEB 68 mm rocket pods
- Missiles: 4 x Pugnale air to air missiles
- Bombs: A wide variety of air-to-ground ordinance including gun pods and free-fall bombs.
Altomare C.53B
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 10.3 m (33 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 8.56 m (28 ft 1 in)
- Height: 4.0 m (13 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 16.4 m² (177 ft²)
- Empty weight: 3,100 kg (6,830 lb)
- Loaded weight: 5,440 kg (11,990 lb)
- Max. takeoff weight: 5,500 kg (12,100 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Vaccari AE-231-2 turbojet, 22.2 kN (5,000 lbf)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 1,075 km/h (580 kn, 668 mph)
- Range: 1,150 km (621 nmi, 715 mi)
- Service ceiling: 13,100 m (43,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 30 m/s (6,000 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 331 kg/m² (67.8 lb/ft²)
- Thrust/weight: 0.42
Armament
- Guns: 1 x ARO CAPA.2038 20 mm cannon
- Hardpoints : 4× under-wing pylon stations holding up to maximum of 1,814 kg/4,000 lb of payload
- Rockets: Vaccari RAPS 81 mm rockets or SNEB 68 mm rocket pods
- Missiles: 4 x Pugnale or Magia air to air missiles and Cagna air to ground missiles
- Bombs: A wide variety of air-to-ground ordinance including gun pods and free-fall bombs.