FFA P-16

FFA

P-16 Mk I

P-16.04

P-16 Mk II

P-16 Mk III

AFA

AA-7

AJ-7

AR-7

Fifth P-16 (Mk III)

In 1948 the Swiss Air Force tendered a requirement for a multi-role aircraft capable of short-takeoffs from runways situated in high mountain valleys. Prototypes were ordered from two Swiss firms, EFW and FFA. The Flug- und Fahrzeugwerke aircraft was known as the P-16, and was designed for interception and close support duties, and was selected over the competing EFW N.20 design.

FFA P-16
Via Michel Klaver

Two Mk I prototypes were built. These were considered to be a bit underpowered, so four Mk II prototypes were ordered with a more powerful engine. After the loss of the first and third aircraft, the program was cancelled. FFA apparently held out hope for a production order, as the remaining two aircraft were completed to Mk III standard. A new company, Aktiengesellschaft für Flugzeugunternehmungen Altenrhein (AFA or AFU) was formed to continue development. Three re-engined variants, which also would have had slightly revised armament and electronics, were proposed: the AA-7, AJ-7 and AR-7, respectively with the SNECMA Atar 9C, General Electric J79 and Rolls-Royce RB.168. It was planned to modify the two Mk III prototypes, but no orders were forthcoming. The wing design, including the tip tanks, was later used as the basis for the Learjet business jet. At least one P-16 Mk III survives at the Fliegermuseum Altenrhein.

FFA P-16

Timeline

1948: Multi-role STOL fighter requirement issued by Swiss Air Force.
28 April 1955: First flight of first P-16 Mk I.
31 August 1955: P-16 Mk I J-3001 crashed and destroyed after engine failure; pilot ejected safely.
16 June 1956: First flight of P-16.04.
15 August 1956: P-16.04 achieves supersonic flight.
28 February - 12 March 1957: P-16.04 evaluated by Swiss Air Force.
4 or 15 April 1957: First flight of first P-16 Mk II.
19 March 1958: 100 production P-16 Mk II ordered by Swiss Air Force.
8 July 1959: First flight of first P-16 Mk III.
1958 - 1959?: P-16 Mk II J-3003 crashed after hydraulic failure; pilot ejected safely.
1959: Cancelled.
24 March 1960: First flight of second P-16 Mk III.

Specifications P-16 Mk I P-16.04 P-16 Mk II P-16 Mk III

Designer(s) Dr. Claudio Caroni
Dr. Ing. Hans L. Stüder? Dr. Claudio Caroni
Dr. Ing. Hans L. Stüder? Dr. Claudio Caroni
Dr. Ing. Hans L. Stüder? Dr. Claudio Caroni
Dr. Ing. Hans L. Stüder?

Mission Type Multi-role STOL fighter Multi-role STOL fighter Multi-role STOL fighter Multi-role STOL fighter

Powerplant 1 x 7,900 lb (3,583 kg) s.t. Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire ASSa.6 turbojet 1 x 7,900 lb (3,583 kg) s.t. Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire ASSa.6 turbojet 1 x 11,000 lb (4,990 kg) s.t. Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire ASSa.7 turbojet 1 x 11,000 lb (4,990 kg) s.t. Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire ASSa.7 turbojet

Dimensions

Span 36 ft 1 in (11 m) 36 ft 1 in (11 m) 36 ft 7 in (11.14 m) 36 ft 7 in (11.14 m)

Length 45 ft 11 in (14 m) 45 ft 11 in (14 m) 46 ft 9 in (14.24 m) 46 ft 9 in - 46 ft 11 in (14.24 - 14.3 m)

Height 14 ft 9 in (4.5 m) 14 ft 9 in (4.5 m) 13 ft 5 in (4.1 m) 13 ft 5 in - 13 ft 11.25 in (4.1 - 4.25 m)

Wing area ? ? ? 322.92 sq ft (30 m²)

Weights

Empty ? ? ? 15,520 lb (7,040 kg)

Loaded ? ? ? 20,500 lb (9,300 kg)

Max ? ? 25,795 lb (11,700 kg) 25,795 - 25,838 lb (11,700 - 11,720 kg)

Performance

Max speed ? ? 685 mph (1,100 km/hr) 685 mph @ unspecified altitude (1,100 km/hr)
696 mph @ unspecified altitude (1,120 km/hr)
620 mph @ 26,245 ft (998 km/hr @ 8,000 m)

Cruise speed -- -- -- --

Stall speed 112 mph (180 km/hr) 112 mph (180 km/hr) 112 mph (180 km/hr) 112 mph (180 km/hr)

Max initial climb rate 12,795 ft/min (65 m/s) 12,795 ft/min (65 m/s) 12,795 ft/min (65 m/s) 12,795 ft/min (65 m/s)

Time to 32,810 ft (10,000 m) 4 min 4 min 4 min 4 min

Service ceiling 45,930 ft (14,000 m) 45,930 ft (14,000 m) 45,930 ft (14,000 m) 45,930 ft (14,000 m)

Range 470 miles @ low altitude (755 km)
920 miles on internal fuel (1,480 km)
620 miles with external fuel (1,000 km) 470 miles @ low altitude (755 km)
920 miles on internal fuel (1,480 km)
620 miles with external fuel (1,000 km) 470 miles @ low altitude (755 km)
920 miles on internal fuel (1,480 km)
620 miles with external fuel (1,000 km) 470 miles @ low altitude (755 km)
920 miles on internal fuel (1,480 km)
620 miles with external fuel (1,000 km)

Armament
2 x 30 mm Oerlikon Type 302 RK cannon in nose
Bombs or rockets inside wings

2 x 30 mm Oerlikon Type 302 RK cannon in nose
Bombs or rockets inside wings

2 x 30 mm cannon in nose
4,400 lb (2,000 kg) of stores

2 x 30 mm Hispano-Suiza H.S.825 cannon in nose
44 x 68 mm rockets in fuselage rocket launcher
Up to 4,940 lb (2,240 kg) of stores on four wing racks, including

Up to 1,100 lb (500 kg) bombs
450 liter napalm tanks
450 liter fuel tanks
19 x 8 cm rocket launchers
Camera containers
Homing missiles
Racks for 48-60 x 8 cm rockets

Crew One One One One

User Switzerland (Air Force, not operational) Switzerland (Air Force, not operational) Switzerland (Air Force, not operational) Switzerland (Air Force, not operational)

Number built One One Four Two or three Mk II's completed as.
100 production aircraft ordered, none built.

Construction Numbers ? ? ? ?

Serial Numbers J-3001 J-3002 J-3003, J-3004, J-3005 J-3004, J-3005

Test Pilots Hans Häfliger ? ? ?

Fifth P-16 (Mk III)

Specifications AA-7 AJ-7 AR-7

Designer(s) ? ? ?

Mission Type Multi-role STOL fighter Multi-role STOL fighter Multi-role STOL fighter

Powerplant 1 x 13,200 lb (5,987 kg) reheated s.t. SNECMA Atar 9C turbojet 1 x 15,800 lb (7,167 kg) reheated s.t. General Electric J79-GE-11A turbojet 1 x 13,000 lb (5,897 kg) s.t. Rolls-Royce RB.168-25 turbojet

Dimensions

Span 36 ft 6.5 in (11.14 m) 36 ft 6.5 in (11.14 m) 36 ft 6.5 in (11.14 m)

Length 40 ft 8.75 in (14.24 m) 40 ft 8.75 in (14.24 m) 40 ft 8.75 in (14.24 m)

Height 14 ft (4.27 m) 14 ft (4.27 m) 14 ft (4.27 m)

Wing area ? ? ?

Weights

Empty ? ? ?

Loaded ? ? ?

Max 25,340 lb (11,495 kg) 25,980 lb (11,785 kg) 25,035 lb (11,355 kg)

Performance

Max speed 708 mph @ sl & max weight, est. (1,140 km/hr) 727 mph @ sl & max weight, est. (1,170 km/hr) 690 mph @ sl & max weight, est. (1,110 km/hr)

Cruise speed -- -- --

Max initial climb rate 23,230 ft/min @ max weight, est. (118 m/sec) 28,150 ft/min @ max weight, est. (143 m/s) 14,765 ft/min @ max weight, est. (75 m/sec)

Service ceiling ? ? ?

Range 380 miles (610 km) internal fuel
503 miles (810 km) external fuel 465 miles (750 km) internal fuel
620 miles (1,000 km) external fuel 627 miles (1,010 km) internal fuel
830 miles (1,340 km) external fuel

Armament
2 x 30 mm Hispano-Suiza H.S.825 cannon with 125 rpg in nose
44 x 68 mm rockets in Matra 1000 launcher in fuselage, or extra fuel
48 x 80 mm Hispano-Suiza HSR 80 rockets and four 882 lb (400 kg) bombs, or fuel tanks, or other stores underwings

2 x 30 mm Hispano-Suiza H.S.825 cannon with 125 rpg in nose
44 x 68 mm rockets in Matra 1000 launcher in fuselage, or extra fuel
48 x 80 mm Hispano-Suiza HSR 80 rockets and four 882 lb (400 kg) bombs, or fuel tanks, or other stores underwings

2 x 30 mm Hispano-Suiza H.S.825 cannon with 125 rpg in nose
44 x 68 mm rockets in Matra 1000 launcher in fuselage, or extra fuel
48 x 80 mm Hispano-Suiza HSR 80 rockets and four 882 lb (400 kg) bombs, or fuel tanks, or other stores underwings

Crew One One One

User -- -- --

Number built None None None

Construction Numbers -- -- --

Serial Numbers -- -- --

P-16 Mk III

Web Links

Sources

Angelucci, Enzo. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft: 1914 to the Present. Chartwell Books, Edison, NJ, 2001. ISBN 0-7858-1359-4.
Bridgman, Leonard, ed. Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1957-1958.
FFA P-16. Warplanes Cards, Edito-Service SA, Geneva, 1989.
Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters: An illustrated encyclopedia of every fighter aircraft built and flown. Salamander Books, London, 1994. ISBN 0-86101-643-2
Taylor, John W. R., ed. Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1960-1961.
Taylor, John W. R., ed. Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1961-1962.
Taylor, John W. R., ed. Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1965-1966.
Taylor, John W. R., ed. Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1967-1968.
Updated Information and other Sources:
- Michel Klaver

FFA P-16

[ Home | About | Contact | Top ]

© 1997-2005, Robert Beechy
http://fire.prohosting.com/uncommon/aircraft/p-16/index.html
Originally posted 3 October 1998
Modified: 01/01/2005

Specifications	P-16 Mk I	P-16.04	P-16 Mk II	P-16 Mk III
Designer(s)	Dr. Claudio Caroni Dr. Ing. Hans L. Stüder?	Dr. Claudio Caroni Dr. Ing. Hans L. Stüder?	Dr. Claudio Caroni Dr. Ing. Hans L. Stüder?	Dr. Claudio Caroni Dr. Ing. Hans L. Stüder?
Mission Type	Multi-role STOL fighter	Multi-role STOL fighter	Multi-role STOL fighter	Multi-role STOL fighter
Powerplant	1 x 7,900 lb (3,583 kg) s.t. Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire ASSa.6 turbojet	1 x 7,900 lb (3,583 kg) s.t. Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire ASSa.6 turbojet	1 x 11,000 lb (4,990 kg) s.t. Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire ASSa.7 turbojet	1 x 11,000 lb (4,990 kg) s.t. Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire ASSa.7 turbojet
Dimensions
Span	36 ft 1 in (11 m)	36 ft 1 in (11 m)	36 ft 7 in (11.14 m)	36 ft 7 in (11.14 m)
Length	45 ft 11 in (14 m)	45 ft 11 in (14 m)	46 ft 9 in (14.24 m)	46 ft 9 in - 46 ft 11 in (14.24 - 14.3 m)
Height	14 ft 9 in (4.5 m)	14 ft 9 in (4.5 m)	13 ft 5 in (4.1 m)	13 ft 5 in - 13 ft 11.25 in (4.1 - 4.25 m)
Wing area	?	?	?	322.92 sq ft (30 m²)
Weights
Empty	?	?	?	15,520 lb (7,040 kg)
Loaded	?	?	?	20,500 lb (9,300 kg)
Max	?	?	25,795 lb (11,700 kg)	25,795 - 25,838 lb (11,700 - 11,720 kg)
Performance
Max speed	?	?	685 mph (1,100 km/hr)	685 mph @ unspecified altitude (1,100 km/hr) 696 mph @ unspecified altitude (1,120 km/hr) 620 mph @ 26,245 ft (998 km/hr @ 8,000 m)
Cruise speed	--	--	--	--
Stall speed	112 mph (180 km/hr)	112 mph (180 km/hr)	112 mph (180 km/hr)	112 mph (180 km/hr)
Max initial climb rate	12,795 ft/min (65 m/s)	12,795 ft/min (65 m/s)	12,795 ft/min (65 m/s)	12,795 ft/min (65 m/s)
Time to 32,810 ft (10,000 m)	4 min	4 min	4 min	4 min
Service ceiling	45,930 ft (14,000 m)	45,930 ft (14,000 m)	45,930 ft (14,000 m)	45,930 ft (14,000 m)
Range	470 miles @ low altitude (755 km) 920 miles on internal fuel (1,480 km) 620 miles with external fuel (1,000 km)	470 miles @ low altitude (755 km) 920 miles on internal fuel (1,480 km) 620 miles with external fuel (1,000 km)	470 miles @ low altitude (755 km) 920 miles on internal fuel (1,480 km) 620 miles with external fuel (1,000 km)	470 miles @ low altitude (755 km) 920 miles on internal fuel (1,480 km) 620 miles with external fuel (1,000 km)
Armament	2 x 30 mm Oerlikon Type 302 RK cannon in nose Bombs or rockets inside wings	2 x 30 mm Oerlikon Type 302 RK cannon in nose Bombs or rockets inside wings	2 x 30 mm cannon in nose 4,400 lb (2,000 kg) of stores	2 x 30 mm Hispano-Suiza H.S.825 cannon in nose 44 x 68 mm rockets in fuselage rocket launcher Up to 4,940 lb (2,240 kg) of stores on four wing racks, including Up to 1,100 lb (500 kg) bombs 450 liter napalm tanks 450 liter fuel tanks 19 x 8 cm rocket launchers Camera containers Homing missiles Racks for 48-60 x 8 cm rockets
Crew	One	One	One	One
User	Switzerland (Air Force, not operational)	Switzerland (Air Force, not operational)	Switzerland (Air Force, not operational)	Switzerland (Air Force, not operational)
Number built	One	One	Four	Two or three Mk II's completed as. 100 production aircraft ordered, none built.
Construction Numbers	?	?	?	?
Serial Numbers	J-3001	J-3002	J-3003, J-3004, J-3005	J-3004, J-3005
Test Pilots	Hans Häfliger	?	?	?

Specifications	AA-7	AJ-7	AR-7
Designer(s)	?	?	?
Mission Type	Multi-role STOL fighter	Multi-role STOL fighter	Multi-role STOL fighter
Powerplant	1 x 13,200 lb (5,987 kg) reheated s.t. SNECMA Atar 9C turbojet	1 x 15,800 lb (7,167 kg) reheated s.t. General Electric J79-GE-11A turbojet	1 x 13,000 lb (5,897 kg) s.t. Rolls-Royce RB.168-25 turbojet
Dimensions
Span	36 ft 6.5 in (11.14 m)	36 ft 6.5 in (11.14 m)	36 ft 6.5 in (11.14 m)
Length	40 ft 8.75 in (14.24 m)	40 ft 8.75 in (14.24 m)	40 ft 8.75 in (14.24 m)
Height	14 ft (4.27 m)	14 ft (4.27 m)	14 ft (4.27 m)
Wing area	?	?	?
Weights
Empty	?	?	?
Loaded	?	?	?
Max	25,340 lb (11,495 kg)	25,980 lb (11,785 kg)	25,035 lb (11,355 kg)
Performance
Max speed	708 mph @ sl & max weight, est. (1,140 km/hr)	727 mph @ sl & max weight, est. (1,170 km/hr)	690 mph @ sl & max weight, est. (1,110 km/hr)
Cruise speed	--	--	--
Max initial climb rate	23,230 ft/min @ max weight, est. (118 m/sec)	28,150 ft/min @ max weight, est. (143 m/s)	14,765 ft/min @ max weight, est. (75 m/sec)
Service ceiling	?	?	?
Range	380 miles (610 km) internal fuel 503 miles (810 km) external fuel	465 miles (750 km) internal fuel 620 miles (1,000 km) external fuel	627 miles (1,010 km) internal fuel 830 miles (1,340 km) external fuel
Armament	2 x 30 mm Hispano-Suiza H.S.825 cannon with 125 rpg in nose 44 x 68 mm rockets in Matra 1000 launcher in fuselage, or extra fuel 48 x 80 mm Hispano-Suiza HSR 80 rockets and four 882 lb (400 kg) bombs, or fuel tanks, or other stores underwings	2 x 30 mm Hispano-Suiza H.S.825 cannon with 125 rpg in nose 44 x 68 mm rockets in Matra 1000 launcher in fuselage, or extra fuel 48 x 80 mm Hispano-Suiza HSR 80 rockets and four 882 lb (400 kg) bombs, or fuel tanks, or other stores underwings	2 x 30 mm Hispano-Suiza H.S.825 cannon with 125 rpg in nose 44 x 68 mm rockets in Matra 1000 launcher in fuselage, or extra fuel 48 x 80 mm Hispano-Suiza HSR 80 rockets and four 882 lb (400 kg) bombs, or fuel tanks, or other stores underwings
Crew	One	One	One
User	--	--	--
Number built	None	None	None
Construction Numbers	--	--	--
Serial Numbers	--	--	--