Alaparma was an Italian aircraft manufacturer of the immediate post World War II period.
It was founded in 1945 by designer Capt Adriano Mantelli and Livio Agostini to produce an ultralight aircraft developed by Mantelli during the war.
AM-8
Early post-war model which was built by Alaparma and derived from the AM-6, but with slightly larger wings.
Only 3 examples were built with one 39hp ABC Scorpion, one 38hp CNA C-2 and one 22 hp Macchi B-2 engine respectively.
Dimensions included wingspan 22.966ft, length 16,404ft and the 3 aircraft were single seat and the first AM-8 flew on 24 July 1946.
AM-9
Single example only.
It was based on the AM-8, but had slightly increased wing area and one 38hp CNA C-2 engine.
AM-10
2-seat model with slightly wider cabin.
The AM-10 used the increased area wings as on the AM-9.
The prototype was built by Alaparma with one 45hp Praga B-2 engine.
The AM-10 was the first post-war model to appear and was first flown in 1945 or 1946.
The engine was also reported as one 65hp Continental A65 and as CAN C-2 and the name Baldo was also reported for the AM-10.
At least one aircraft was built in Argentina by Mr. Mantelli with help from Mr. Robert Madsen with a Continental A65 engine and registered LV-X7).
This aircraft was referred to as the Trieste and featured twin fins rather than the usual single central fin.
Dimensions for this aircraft were reported as wingspan 36.089ft and length 16.404ft.
AM-11 Albatross
Single seat largely based on the AM-10.
The prototype was built by Alaparma with one 22hp SAI-Ambrosini P-25 engine.
The A-11 model was also built in Argentina under the name Albatross by OMA (Officina Meccanica Aeronautica) and this aircraft was a prototype only which first flew 28 March 1951 was reportedly powered by one McCulloch two stroke engine.
Wingspan for this aircraft, LV-X8, was given as 32.808ft.
The AM-11s built in Italy used one Ambrosini P-25 or one 28hp Hirth F-10A engine.
AM-12
One two seat aircraft derived from the Am-8/AM-10, but with a new and larger wing to make the type suitable as powered glider.
Dimensions included wingspan 39.375ft, length 18.042ft, height 4.667ft.
It was first flown on 12 November 1954 as a glider and later received one 75hp Praga D engine.
Further changes compared to the AM-8 and AM-10 were a revised u/c arrangement with small tail wheels under the twin vertical tail instead of a single tail wheel under the rear fuselage.
The aircraft was evaluated by the Italian AF.
Possibly up to three or four AM-12s were built.
AM-12P
One of the AM-12 after having been re-engined with one 350lb Turboméca Palas turbojet engine and it was flown in this form in 1962.
Again the aircraft was evaluated by the Italian AF.
Further development of the AM-12 was halted.
The aircraft established several FAI altitude records attaining 28,661ft with Praga D75 engine and 21.981ft with Palas engine.
AM-65 Baldo
Production model of the AM-10 two-seat version.
Length was 17.060ft and engine one 65hp Walter Mikron 4-III.
The first example was first flown in 1948 and this model was available in Argentina from OMA with one 65hp Continental A65 engine.
An unusual feature of the AM-65 and the AM-75 was that the twin tail boom section could be folded forward over the engine for easy transport and storage.
AM-75 Baldo
Similar to the AM-65, but fitted with one 75hp Praga D engine.
Production of this variant included 10 aircraft for the Italian AF and the initial military serials were soon replaced by civil registrations.
