This plan was commissioned but unfortunately not paid for, so I’m now offering it to the modelling fraternity at large! It is a 2.2M (87inch) wingspan, scale model and designed around the O.S. 1.6FX engine. However, it could easily accommodate a larger gas or electric powerplant as there is plenty of room in the cowling.
Five large sheets make up the plans, and I’ve included drawings for cowl and canopy plugs as well.
If this model is too big for your workshop, I can reduce it to a more suitable size. Just contact me for details.
Wingspan 2,225mm 87.5 inches
Length 1,760mm 69.25 inches
8x servos / 9-channel
Designed for electric retracts
Piaggio P.149 – Design, Development, Production and Performance
The Piaggio P.149 was a four- to five-seat Italian military trainer, liaison and touring aircraft developed during the early 1950s by Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A. It was an enlarged and more powerful development of the two-seat Piaggio P.148 basic trainer, combining modern all-metal construction with retractable landing gear and excellent cross-country performance.
Although sales in Italy were modest, the aircraft achieved its greatest success when selected by the newly established West German Luftwaffe as its standard liaison and pilot training aircraft. Under licence, Focke-Wulf built the aircraft in Germany as the FWP.149D, resulting in total production of 278 aircraft (88 by Piaggio and 190 by Focke-Wulf).
Origins
Following the Second World War, Piaggio sought to re-establish itself as a manufacturer of civil and military aircraft.
The company’s first post-war trainer was the:
Piaggio P.148
- two-seat trainer
- all-metal construction
- fixed tricycle undercarriage
- first flown in 1951
Recognising the demand for a more capable aircraft suitable for military liaison, navigation training and touring, designer Giovanni Casiraghi developed an enlarged derivative, designated the P.149. The prototype made its maiden flight on 19 June 1953.
Development
The P.149 retained much of the structural philosophy of the P.148 while introducing significant improvements:
- larger fuselage
- retractable tricycle landing gear
- more powerful engine
- increased fuel capacity
- seating for four or five occupants
- improved cruise performance
Initial production targeted the civil touring market, but sales were limited.
Piaggio subsequently produced the P.149D, a military version equipped for pilot training, liaison and communications duties. This variant successfully competed for a major West German Air Force contract in 1955, transforming the programme from a modest civil aircraft into a significant military production effort.
Design Philosophy
The aircraft was intended to provide:
- economical operation
- simple maintenance
- excellent cross-country performance
- aerobatic capability
- military training suitability
- comfortable touring capability
Its design occupied the space between basic trainers and larger utility aircraft, making it suitable for military communications, instrument instruction and executive transport.
Airframe Design
Wing
The P.149 employed a cantilever low wing of all-metal construction.
Features included:
- single-spar structure
- stressed aluminium skin
- moderate taper
- electrically operated flaps
- conventional ailerons
The relatively clean wing contributed to the aircraft’s respectable cruise speed while maintaining predictable low-speed handling.
Fuselage
The fuselage was an all-metal semi-monocoque structure.
Characteristics included:
- streamlined cabin
- side-by-side front seating
- rear passenger seating
- large baggage compartment
- generous glazing
The cabin could accommodate:
- one or two pilots
- three additional passengers
Military versions often flew with two pilots or an instructor and trainee.
Cockpit
The cockpit featured:
- dual flight controls
- conventional flight instruments
- engine monitoring instruments
- centrally mounted engine controls
- good all-round visibility beneath a large canopy
Military aircraft could be equipped for radio navigation and instrument training.
Landing Gear
The P.149 was fitted with a retractable tricycle undercarriage.
Features included:
- hydraulically operated retraction
- steerable nosewheel
- hydraulic brakes
- fully enclosed wheel wells
Retractable gear provided a significant reduction in drag compared with the fixed gear of the earlier P.148.
Powerplant
The definitive military version, the P.149D, was powered by one:
Lycoming GO-480-B1A6
- six-cylinder
- horizontally opposed
- geared
- air-cooled
- fuel-injected
Output:
- 270 hp (201 kW)
The geared GO-480 engine drove a three-bladed constant-speed propeller and provided improved climb and cruise performance compared with the earlier P.148’s Lycoming O-435 engine.
Aerodynamic Design
The aircraft incorporated several modern aerodynamic features for its era:
- streamlined engine cowling
- retractable landing gear
- low-wing configuration
- clean fuselage contours
- efficient cooling inlets
These contributed to a maximum speed exceeding 300 km/h (165 kt), making the P.149 one of the faster piston trainers of the 1950s.
Structural Design
Construction consisted almost entirely of aluminium alloy.
The structure included:
- semi-monocoque fuselage
- stressed-skin wings
- metal control surfaces
- reinforced engine mount
- corrosion-protected airframe
The robust structure allowed the aircraft to perform limited aerobatics during military pilot training.
German Licence Production
The programme’s greatest success came with the re-establishment of the West German Luftwaffe.
To meet German requirements:
- Piaggio supplied 88 aircraft, of which 76 were delivered to Germany.
- Focke-Wulf acquired a production licence and manufactured 190 FWP.149D aircraft at Bremen.
German-built aircraft were almost identical to the Italian version, differing mainly in production methods and some equipment installations. The Luftwaffe ultimately operated around 262 aircraft, making it by far the largest user of the type.
Operational Service
The P.149D served in a variety of roles, including:
- pilot training
- liaison flights
- communications
- instrument instruction
- navigation training
- proficiency flying
Military operators included:
- West German Air Force
- West German Navy
- Swissair Flying School (civil)
- Nigeria
- Tanzania
- Uganda
Many surplus German aircraft later entered civilian ownership throughout Europe and Australia.
Production
| Manufacturer | Aircraft Built |
|---|---|
| Piaggio (Italy) | 88 |
| Focke-Wulf (West Germany) | 190 |
| Total | 278 |
Production period:
- 1953–1960s (including licensed production).
Specifications (P.149D)
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1–2 |
| Passengers | 3 |
| Length | 8.80 m (28 ft 10 in) |
| Wingspan | 11.12 m (36 ft 6 in) |
| Height | 2.90 m (9 ft 6 in) |
| Wing Area | 18.9 m² (203 sq ft) |
| Empty Weight | 1,160 kg (2,557 lb) |
| Maximum Take-off Weight | 1,680 kg (3,704 lb) |
| Engine | 1 × Lycoming GO-480-B1A6 |
| Power | 270 hp (201 kW) |
Performance
| Performance | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Speed | 306 km/h (165 kt; 190 mph) |
| Cruise Speed | 266–268 km/h (144–145 kt) |
| Initial Rate of Climb | Approximately 300 m/min (984 ft/min) |
| Service Ceiling | 6,050 m (19,850 ft) |
| Maximum Range | 1,050–1,090 km (567–589 NM) |
Performance figures vary slightly between civil and military variants and according to equipment fit.
Flying Characteristics
The Piaggio P.149 earned a reputation as a pleasant and stable aircraft to fly. Pilots praised its:
- harmonised control forces
- stable instrument-flight characteristics
- responsive handling
- comfortable cockpit
- good visibility
- relatively high cruise speed for its power
The retractable landing gear and constant-speed propeller also made it an effective transition aircraft for pilots progressing to more complex military types.
Legacy
Although overshadowed by more numerous trainers such as the Beech T-34 Mentor and the de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk, the Piaggio P.149 was an important milestone in post-war European aviation. It helped revive the Italian aircraft industry and played a key role in rebuilding West Germany’s military aviation capability during the Cold War. The successful licence-production programme with Focke-Wulf demonstrated the aircraft’s sound design and adaptability, while many surviving examples continue to fly in private ownership and at historic aviation events, reflecting the durability of Giovanni Casiraghi’s design.