The Ambrosini SAI.207 was a lightweight fighter interceptor that was created in Italy during World War II.
It was derived from the pre-war SAI.7 racing plane and constructed entirely from wood.
Equipped with a single 750 hp Isotta Fraschini Delta engine, the SAI.207 experienced only modest success during the assessment of the 12 pre-production units.
Flight testing uncovered significant deficiencies, many of which remained unaddressed prior to the Armistice with the Allies in 1943; the combination of low power and high wing loading resulted in inadequate climb performance; the lightweight structure inhibited the use of more powerful cannons, as the recoil forces exceeded the limits of the mounting structure; the engine’s rear cylinders experienced overheating during recovery from a dive; additionally, the lightweight design contributed to complications, exemplified by the second prototype’s wing disintegrating during a dive recovery due to internal pressure accumulation, which was exacerbated by the absence of internal fairings in the undercarriage bays.
Furthermore, the wooden structure suffered significantly from exposure to rain or humidity.
The initial production batch of 12 aircraft was briefly utilized by three squadrons.
The first of these was the 83rd Squadriglia, part of the 18 Gruppo, 3 Stormo, commanded by Guglielmo Specker, a prominent “ace” of the Regia Aeronautica, stationed at the Cerveteri airfield, located near Rome.
These aircraft commenced their service in July 1943, undertaking several combat missions aimed at countering significant Allied air raids over the Italian capital, albeit with no success.
After a month of operations, they were relocated to the G. Eleuteri airfield in Castiglione del Lago (which was then one of the primary training airbases for the Regia Aeronautica and situated close to Ambrosini’s factory), where it was intended for the 161st and 162nd Squadriglia to incorporate the aircraft into their operations.
Notwithstanding its rapidity, Italian aviators were unimpressed by the aircraft type, leading to a swift conclusion of its service in the summer of 1943.
The planes belonging to the 83rd Squadriglia were sent back to SAI-Ambrosini for refurbishment; however, the Armistice rendered their return to the squadron unfeasible.
