The AUT.18, a prototype fighter aircraft, was developed by Aeronautica Umbra in Italy in the years leading up to World War II.
The aircraft was designed in 1934 by Felice Trojani, who was concurrently working with Umberto Nobile on the Arctic flights of the airships Norge and Italia.
The designation of the aircraft was derived from the initials of the manufacturer, the surname of the designer, and the wing area of the aircraft, which measured 18 square metres.
The sole prototype of the AUT.18 was assigned the serial number M.M.363.
The A.U.T.18 aircraft emerged as a result of the Regia Aeronautica’s requirement, which also led to the development of the Caproni-Vizzola F.5, FIAT G.50, Macchi C.200, Meridionali Ro 51, and Reggiane Re 2000 fighters.
On 22 April 1939, the A.U.T.18 conducted its inaugural flight, propelled by a Fiat A.80 R.C.41 radial engine generating 1,044 horsepower (778.51 kilowatts).
This fighter possessed a fully metallic stressed-skin structure, enveloped in duralumin, and incorporated an inward-retracting undercarriage and retractable tailwheel.
Additionally, it was equipped with two 12.7 mm (0.500 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns, positioned in the wings just beyond the undercarriage.
Flight trials proved disappointing and lagged behind the other fighters in Progetto R—the modernisation of the Regia Aeronautica.
With no production orders forthcoming, despite the prototype being returned to the Umbra factory at Foligno for modifications on February 20, 1940,
A second flight test series conducted from 5 November 1940; no improvement was demonstrated over fighters already in production so the A.U.T.18 was abandoned.
Specifications
Crew
1
Length
8.56 m
Wingspan
11.5 m
Height
2.88 m
Wing area
18.70 m2
Empty weight
2,320 kg
Gross weight
2,975 kg
Powerplant
1 × Fiat A.80 R.C.41,
780 kW
Performance
Maximum speed
480 km/h
Range
800 km
Service ceiling
10,000 m
Armament
2 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns.
Sources
L’Aviazione Da Caccia Italiana 1918-1939 Volume 2-Roberto Gentilli.
Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930-1945-Jonathon Thompson.
