Ansaldo SVA 10

The Ansalso S.V.A. 9 and Ansaldo S.V.A. 10 were two-seat variants of the basic Ansaldo S.V.A. plan, differing by the two-seat fuselage and by unequal-span wings, meant to counter propeller torque effects. Most were powered by the SPA 6A six-cylinder inline engine, but experiments were done with the Isotta-Fraschini V6 (12 aircraft after the war) and Isotta-Fraschini Semiasso (23 aircraft after the war). While the S.V.A. 9 remained unarmed, the S.V.A. 10 was provided with a flexible machine gun for the observer and 1-2&#215; synchronized Vickers for the pilot. Pictures of the S.V.A. 9 and 10 show both a split cockpit and communal cockpit, and a photo shows the difference may have been a simple insert that could have been removed or added depending on the mission. Optional over-wing fuel tanks could be supplemented by a jettisonable under-fuselage tank for a total of eight hours endurance.

By October 1918 the SVA10 was starting to trickle into front-line units in small numbers, including several Sezioni (flights) that eventually folded into Squadriglie 87ª, 31ª, 86ª, 57ª, 56ª, and 58ª.

After the war, Ansaldo sold two-seaters to Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Georgia, the Soviet Union, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Yemen. A deal with the USA looked promising but fell through. Guns removed, the plane also saw civil use in Italy, delivering mail and as trainers, with their last flying days in 1936.

1:144 Scale

 * Shapeways: Reduced Aircraft Factory

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

 * Shapeways: Reduced Aircraft Factory