Bonomi BS.28 Alcione

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
BS.28 Alcione
Role Competition
sailplane
National origin Italy
Manufacturer Aeronautica Bonomi
Designer Camillo Silva
First flight c.1938
Number built c.4

The Bonomi BS.28 Alcione (English:

sailplane designed and built in Italy
in 1937-8. About four were completed, with two more or less refined fuselages.

Design and development

The Alcione was the last of many gliders designed by Camillo Silva at Aeronautica Benomi,

AL-3[3] which was one of two Italian competitors in the 1939 Olympic Sailplane Competition of 1939.[4]

The Alcione was a refined sailplane in its day, designed in collaboration with the

differential ailerons.[6] Spoilers of the early, single action Centro Volo a Vela (CVV) type were mounted on the upper wing surface immediately behind the spar and at about one quarter span.[5][6]

Two different

ovoid. The latter was lower along the dorsal line, so the other's glazed cockpit cover was lengthened aft with a ply covered extension including small side windows. The lower line also required the addition of a very short pedestal for the tailplane, directly mounted onto the hexagonal fuselage. The horizontal tail was straight tapered and round tipped, placed with its trailing edge in line with that of a narrow fin so that no cut-out for rudder movement was needed. On the ovoid fuselage version with its small pedestal the fin reached only about halfway to the top of the rudder, allowing the inclusion of an aerodynamic balance. On the other fuselage the fin continued upwards to the rudder tip. The rudder itself was broad and D-shaped. There was a little tail bumper on the fuselage keel at the rudder's foot.[5]

The ovoid fuselage version became known as the B.28 Aerodinamico.[7]

The Alcione dates from either 1937[6] or 1938,[5] with registration dates[8] supporting the latter. Images[5] identify three examples and the register a fourth.[8]

Operational history

An Alcione took part in the Asiago Gliding Competition of 1938.[5]


Specifications

Data from Pedrielli (2011) p.107[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Length: 6.55 m (21 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 14.50 m (47 ft 7 in)
  • Wing area: 14 m2 (150 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 15
  • Empty weight: 160 kg (353 lb)
  • Gross weight: 254 kg (560 lb)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 22:1 estimated
  • Rate of sink: 0.75 m/s (148 ft/min) [6]
  • Wing loading: 17.50 kg/m2 (3.58 lb/sq ft)


References

  1. ISBN 9783980883894
    .
  2. ^ Thompson, Jonathan (1963). Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930-1945. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, Inc. p. 293.
  3. ^ Pedrielli. Italian Vintage Sailplanes. p. 67.
  4. ISBN 3 9806773 4 6
    .
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Pedrielli. Italian Vintage Sailplanes. pp. 106–107.
  6. ^ a b c d Zuerl, Hubert (1941). Segelflug im Wettbewerb der Völker. Berlin: E. S. Mittler & Sohn. p. 42.
  7. ^ "Bonomi BS.28 Aerodinamico". Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  8. ^ a b Air Britain: pre-war Italian register (Malcolm Fillmore)
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