Wilhelm and Henrich Focke were interested in canard types and acquired a German patent in 1908. After two glider models – the “Falk” I and II – Henrich Focke designed and built a powered model identified at the time as the “Falk III” in 1910. Probably later the identifications were changed to Focke A 1, A 2 and A 3 etc. The “Falk III” was powered by a V-2 Neckarsulm engine developing cirka 10 hp driving a pusher propeller. This engine gave all sorts of problems and probably was too weak anyway. The “Falk III” never did leave the ground.
Work on the IA.63 began in 1979 by the Fabrica Militar de Aviones and by early 1980 a straight-wing configuration powered by a single TFE 731 had been decided upon. Dornier provided technical assistance in the design and development stages, and also in the construc¬tion of the wing and tail surfaces of the proto¬types. The first flight took place on October 6, 1984, and by March 1986 three prototypes were flying. Construction of three flying prototypes was initiated in March 1981 and the first IA-63 flew on 6 October 1984.
A cantilever shoulder-wing monoplane, the fuselage incorporates a tricycle landing gear, a single turbofan engine and a pressurised cockpit with tandem seats for the pupil and instructor on zero/zero ejection seats.
Argentine
Delive¬ries of 64 IA-63As to the Argentine air force began in May 1988. The FAA requirement was for 64 aircraft, The IA-63A can also be used for weapon training with a 30mm Defa cannon pod on the fuselage centreline, and other ordnance on four under¬wing pylons, though better capability in this and the light attack roles is offered by the IA-63B under development in the early 1990s with the 4,300-lb (1,950-kg) thrust TFE731-5 turbofan and a head-up display tied into a more capable nay/attack system.
Powered by a Garrett TFE 731 turbo-fan engine providing 3500 lbs thrust, the Pampa “is capable of carrying a large and varied weapons load and a HUD and Weapons Aiming Computer System are being incorporated in future deliveries to meet Argentine Air Forces requirements”. Pampa promotional material emphasises the type’s fuel endurance of around 2.8 hours at 300 knots and a STOL/grass strip capability. Maximum speed is listed at 400 knots. In 1990, FMA teamed with LTV to offer a version of the IA 63, designated Pampa 2000, to compete for the Joint Services Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) search for a common US trainer.
AT-63 Pampa Phase III
IA.63 Pampa Engine: 1 x Garrett TFE731-2-2N turbofan, 3,500lb st (15,75 kN). Installed thrust: 15.6 kN. Span: 9.69 m / 31 ft 9 in. Length: 10.93 m / 35 ft 10 in. Height: 4.29 m / 14 ft 1 in Wing area: 15.63 sq.m / 168.24 sq ft. Empty wt: 2627 kg / 6219 lb. MTOW: 5000 kg / 11023 lb Warload: 1160 kg. Max speed: 755 kph / 469 mph. Initial ROC: 1813 m / min. Ceiling: 12,900 m / 42300 ft. T/O run: 400 m. Ldg run: 515 m. Fuel internal: 980 lt (+400 lt). Range w/max.fuel: 1500 km / 932 miles. Hardpoints: 5. Crew: 2
IA-63A Pampa Engine: one 4300-lb thrust Garrett TFE731-2-2N turbofan. Maximum speed 509 mph (819 km/h) at 22,965 ft (7,000 m) Initial climb rate 5,950 ft (1,813 m) per minute Service ceiling 42,325 ft (12,900m) Radius 223 miles (360 km) on a hi-lo-hi mission with a 2,205-lb (1,000-kg) warload Empty weight 6,219 lb (2,821 kg) Maximum take-off 11.023 lb (5,000 kg). Wing span 31 ft 9.25 in (9.686 m) Length 35 ft 9.25 in (10.90 m) Height 14 ft 1 in (4.29 m) Wing area 168.2 sq ft (15.63 sq.m) Armament: provision for a 30-mm cannon pod and up to 2,866 lb (1,300 kg) of disposable stores.
Engine; 1 x Cont. O-470-R, 170kW or Lyc. O-540-B2 B5, 175kW Wingspan; 11.6 m / 38 ft 1 in Length; 8.4 m / 27 ft 7 in Height; 2.8 m / 9 ft 2 in Wing area; 21.5 sq.m / 231.42 sq ft Max take-off weight; 1525 kg / 3362 lb Empty weight; 880 kg / 1940 lb Max. speed; 185 km/h / 115 mph Cruise speed; 160 km/h / 99 mph Ceiling; 4300 m / 14100 ft Range w/max.fuel; 750 km / 466 miles Crew; 1 Passengers; 1
Under DINFIA (Direccion Nacional de Fabricaciones e Investigaciones Aeronauticas) name, design and construction of the IA 46 light aircraft began. Adaptable as a three-seat tourer, the IA 46 Ranquel first flew on 23 December 1957.
A pre-production series of 14 was completed early in 1960, subsequent contracts calling for production of 150.
A development version, the IA 51, flew for the first time on 16 March 1963 and production was initiated. The IA 51 has metal skinning for the wing in place of the fabric of the IA 46, increased flap area, a redesigned rear fuselage, a variable-incidence tailplane, and a 180 hp Lycoming O-360-A1A.
The IA 53 is a derivative of the IA 51 with a nose wheel undercarriage and swept vertical tail.
A quick install and jettisonable 88 ImpG / 400 lt belly tank for agricultural chemicals could be attached.
Model 46 Ranquel Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B, 150 hp Wingspan: 38 ft 1.5 in / 11.62 m Length: 24 ft 5 in / 7.45 m Empty weight Tourer: 1390 lb / 630 kg Empty weight Agricultural: 1520 lb / 690 kg MTOW Tourer: 2115 lb / 960 kg MTOW Agricultural: 2555 lb / 1160 kg Max speed: 112 mph Max cruise 75%: 83 kt / 96 mph / 155 kph ROC SL: 530 fpm Service ceiling: 13,125 ft / 4000 m Max Range 75%: 351 nm / 405 mi / 650 km Front seating: 1 Rear seating: 2
IA 51 Super Ranquel Engine: Lycoming O-360-A2A, 180 hp Max speed: 119 mph Max cruise 75%: 109 mph ROC SL: 710 fpm Service ceiling: 14,750 ft
The FMA I.Ae. 37 was a prototype jet fighter developed in Argentina during the 1950s.
It never flew and was cancelled in 1960.
I. Ae. 37P
Engine; 1 x 1832kg Rolls-Royce Derwent 5 turbojet Wingspan; 9.78 m / 32 ft 1 in Length; 11.00 m / 36 ft 1 in Height; 3.98 m / 13 ft 1 in Max take-off weight; 4800 kg / 10582 lb Empty weight; 3300 kg / 7275 lb Max. speed; 902 km/h / 560 mph Ceiling; 12000 m / 39350 ft Range; 1000 km / 621 miles Crew; 1
Intended to replace the Gloster Meteor F.Mk 4s in service with the Argentine air force, the I.Ae.33 Pulqui II (Arrow II) was designed by a team headed by Dr Kurt Tank, roughly inspired by the Ta 183. Tank arrived in Argentina in 1947, not speaking Spanish but with the plans for the German project TA-83 from the factory Focke Wulf. The first plane that Tank made in Argentina was a copy of the TA-83 which was his starting point.
It embodied some of the results of the advanced research carried out in Germany during World War II, incorporating a shoulder-mounted wing with 40deg of sweep-back, and a T-tail with all-swept surfaces. Landing gear was retractable tricycle-type and power provided by a Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet mounted in the rear fuselage. The pilot was accommodated on an ejection-seat in a pressurised cockpit, protected by armour and a bulletproof windscreen, and a sliding canopy that could be jettisoned in emergency, and auto pilot.
By 1950 the first prototype of the Pulqui II was ready for testing. It was piloted for the first time by Captain Edmundo Weiss on June 27, 1950.
Captain Edmundo Weiss is with the Pulqui II
It had its official debut on February 8, 1951. Tank called Peron in Buenos Aires from Cordoba and advised him that the airplane would arrive to the airport before the President himself. Sure enough, he was correct. During the presentation ceremony Peron expressed his admiration and gratitude for Tank.
The Pulqui II’s first tragedy occurred in May of that year after 28 test flights when a defect caused the death of Captain Vedania Mannuwal, a fighter pilot. This led to the third prototype and many more test flights. Two days before the newest version was to be presented to Peron in October of 1952, another crash cost the life of Otto Behrens who was an important part of the entire process. (Otto Behrens, the test pilot died; a few days before his death he said that the airplane was “the worst he had ever experienced as a test pilot”). His death was mourned by the entire country, especially the Germans now working in Argentina. By 1953 the fourth prototype was ready for testing. It was not until 18 September 1959 that the last was flown.
Unfortunately, just when the project was ready to bear fruit, a coup turned the country upside down. Many of the scientist and engineers associated with the project were forced from the country, including Kurt Tank. The new government showed little interest in keeping the project alive, although those who remained struggled to make it work. In a desperate attempt to change momentum, FMA planned a high profile test flight from Cordoba to Moron back to Cordoba including three quick rounds over the Buenos Aires airport, without supplementary fuel tanks. The pilot, Captain Rogelio Balado, was able to make the entire trip, but a fault in the system caused a lack of oxygen for him and he crashed on landing in Cordoba.
In 1954 a world tour was planned to exhibit the airplane to possible buyers. FMA also received visitors from the USSR, US (from the company that manufactured the P-86 Sabre) and Egypt who were interested in the airplane.
Brigadier Ahrens from the Argentina Air Force approached FMA requesting an estimate on the fabrication of 100 Pulquis. He was advised that 10 could be available immediately and that number 100 would be finished within 5 years. Ahrens decided to give the contract to the Americans for 100 F-86 Sabres because they would be available immediately. This basically ruined FMA’s future possibilities to export the Pulqui II.
In the intervening period the Dr Tank and his team had left Argentina. These factors, coupled with serious financial problems, meant that development was initially halted in 1953, and finally cancelled with the fall of Peron in 1955.
I.Ae.33 Engine; 1 x Rolls-Royce Nene, 2268kg Wingspan; 10.60 m / 34 ft 9 in Length; 11.68 m / 38 ft 4 in Height; 3.50 m / 11 ft 6 in Wing area; 25.10 sq.m / 270.17 sq ft Max take-off weight; 5550 kg / 12236 lb Empty weight; 3600 kg / 7937 lb Max. speed; 1050 km/h / 652 mph Ceiling; 15000 m / 49200 ft Crew; 1 Armament; 4 x 20mm cannon
Engine; 1 x 155hp Blackburn Cirrus Major Wingspan; 10.70 m / 35 ft 1 in Length; 8.12 m / 27 ft 8 in Height; 2.18 m / 7 ft 2 in Wing area; 16.50 sq.m / 177.60 sq ft Max take-off weight; 981 kg / 2163 lb Empty weight; 750 kg / 1653 lb Max. speed; 230 km/h / 143 mph Cruise speed; 195 km/h / 121 mph Ceiling; 5180 m / 17000 ft Range; 1570 km / 976 miles Crew; 2
Engine; 1 x 150hp Blackburn Cirrus Major Wingspan; 10.37 m / 34 ft 0 in Length; 7.95 m / 26 ft 1 in Height; 1.90 m / 6 ft 3 in Wing area; 16.00 sq.m / 172.22 sq ft Max take-off weight; 916 kg / 2019 lb Empty weight; 635 kg / 1400 lb Max. speed; 240 km/h / 149 mph Cruise speed; 210 km/h / 130 mph Ceiling; 6500 m / 21350 ft Crew; 2
Designed by Emile Dewoitine, the I.Ae.27 Pulqui (Arrow) was the first single-seat fighter to be designed in Argentina as well as the first turbojet-powered aircraft to be built and flown in Argentina.
A cantilever low-wing monoplane of all-metal construction, the Pulqui had a conventional tail unit, retractable tricycle landing gear, and accommodation for the pilot well forward on the fuselage beneath a jettisonable canopy. Power was provided by a Rolls-Royce Derwent turbojet mounted in the aft fuselage. First flown on 9 August 1947, the Pulqui performance was well below estimates and development was abandoned.
I.Ae.27 Engine; 1 x Rolls-Royce Derwent, 1633kg Wingspan; 11.25 m / 36 ft 11 in Length; 9.69 m / 31 ft 9 in Height; 3.39 m / 11 ft 1 in Wing area; 19.70 sq.m / 212.05 sq ft Max take-off weight; 3600 kg / 7937 lb Empty weight; 2358 kg / 5199 lb Max. speed; 720 km/h / 447 mph Ceiling; 15500 m / 50850 ft Range; 900 km / 559 miles Crew; 1 Armament; 1 x 20mm cannon
Engine; 1 x 140hp Siemens Sh 14A Wingspan; 9.00 m / 30 ft 6 in Length; 7.30 m / 24 ft 11 in Height; 2.72 m / 9 ft 11 in Wing area; 20.00 sq.m / 215.28 sq ft Max take-off weight; 860 kg / 1896 lb Empty weight; 500 kg / 1102 lb Max. speed; 188 km/h / 117 mph Cruise speed; 160 km/h / 99 mph Ceiling; 4200 m / 13800 ft Range; 720 km / 447 miles Crew; 2
