PBNA L-40 Falx
| L-40 Falx | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pair of Pavulturilori L-40 Falxs | |
Role
|
Fighter-Bomber aircraft |
National origin
|
 Pavulturilor
|
Manufacturer
|
Pavulturilori National Aviation Bureau |
First flight
|
12 April 1939 |
Introduction
|
February 1940 |
Retired
|
1952 |
Status
|
retired |
Produced
|
1940-1950 |
Number built
|
450 |
The L-40 Falx was a Pavulturilori low-wing monoplane, all-metal monocoque fighter and ground-attack aircraft.
Contents
Development
In early 1933 the Pavulturilor Royal Aviation Bureau was asked to design a build a fighter for the kingdom, this resulted in the L-33 Spadă, a prototype which was already considered as obselete by the time the tests were conducted, despite the fact it was designed the same year, the company would continue to improve on the design, and in 1939, after being more experianced in aeroplane design, it resulted in the first prototype of the L-40, the design was deemed as superb and was immedetly accepted into mass production.
Variants
L-39 - the first prototype plane, develpoed into the L-40.
L-40 Falx A - the first production variant, an air superiority fighter.
L-40 Falx B - second producion variant, made with a stronger engine, air superiority fighter.
L-40 Falx C - Airstrike variant with 3 hardpoints to mount bombs.
Operational history
The aircraft saw it's first use in the South Ecros War in 1945, and in the following in the redeployment of the Foreign Volunteer Army of Pavulturilor in the Creeperian Civil War from 1946 until 1949. It has also seen limited use during the First Alaia War.
Specifications (L-40 Falx C)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 8.97 m (29 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
- Height: 3.600 m (11 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 17 m2 (180 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 2,200 kg (4,850 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 3,030 kg (6,680 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 330 kg (730 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × IAR K14-IV C32 1000A 14-cylinder two-row air-cooled radial piston engine, 750 kW (1,000 hp)
- Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 510 km/h (320 mph, 280 kn) 524 Km/h at 5,350 m
- Range: 730 km (450 mi, 390 nmi) on internal fuel only
- Ferry range: 1,330 km (830 mi, 720 nmi) with extra fuel tanks
- Service ceiling: 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
- Time to altitude: 4'41" – 7'00" to 5,000 meters (depending on variant)
- Wing loading: 132.35 kg/m2 (27.11 lb/sq ft)
Armament
- Guns: 2 × 20 mm (0.787 in) MG 151/20 cannon and 2 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) FN-Browning machine guns mounted in the inner portion of the wing
- Bombs: one 250 kg (550 lb) SC250 bomb under the fuselage and/or 2 × 50 kg (110 lb) SC50 bombs under the wings.
