| PD.808 | |
|---|---|
| |
| The prototype Piaggio PD.808 at the 1966 Hanover Air Show wearing Italian Air Force markings | |
| Role | Business & military jet |
| Manufacturer | Piaggio Aero |
| Designer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| First flight | 29 August 1964 |
| Introduction | November 1966 |
| Primary user | Italian Air Force |
| Number built | 24 |
The Piaggio PD.808 was an Italian business jet built by Piaggio. It was designed as a joint venture between Piaggio and Douglas Aircraft Company of Long Beach, California, United States.[1]
Originally named the PD.808 Vespa Jet the business jet was designed in a joint venture between Piaggio and the Douglas Aircraft Company.[1] The basic design work was carried out by Douglas and the prototype was built at the Piaggio factory at Finale Ligure.[2]
The PD.808 was a low-wing cantilever cabin-monoplane with tip-tanks and powered by two rear-mounted Bristol Siddeley Viper 525 turbojets. It has retractable tricycle landing gear and was originally designed with a cabin for a pilot and six-passengers.[1]
The first Viper 525-powered prototype (with Italian Serial Number MM577) first flew on 29 August 1965, this was followed by a second Viper 525 powered prototype and two civil demonstrators.[2]
The company tried to interest commercial operators (including offering a General Electric CJ610 variant) but the only interest was from the Italian Air Force as a liaison, training and radar calibration aircraft with an order for 25.[2] The Italian Air Force aircraft were powered by Viper 526 turbojets.[3]
On 18 June 1968 one of the demonstration aircraft I-PIAI crashed in bad-weather when it flew into the side of Mount Jaizkibel, near San Sebastian, Spain, all six on-board including the Italian businessman Lino Zanussi and the Piaggio chief test pilot Davide Albertazzi were killed.[5]
Data from ,[8] Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide[9]
General characteristics
Performance
