SLD

The SLD is an Italian, World War I fighter prototype in a biplane layout with a fixed undercarriage in a classic layout. The flight of the prototype took place probably in the second half of 1918, but the plane never entered mass production. The drive was provided by a single 160 HP Isotta-Fraschini engine or a 200 HP Hispano-Suiza engine. The length of the aircraft was 7 meters with a wingspan of 7.8 meters. The maximum speed probably reached approx. 300 km / h. The on-board armament was probably to consist of two machine guns. The SLD aircraft was developed at the Ducrot plant in Palermo as a new, advanced fighter for Italian aviation. The machine was characterized by carefully developed aerodynamics, and was also powered - for those times - by engines with high maximum power. It would probably have a lot of maneuverability and a high maximum speed. However, the imminent end of hostilities, as well as the subsequent radical cut in military spending by the Italian government after 1918, prevented the machine from being put into mass production. Probably only one copy of this plane was made.