Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Aeronautica Umbra Trojani AUT.18

On April 22, 1939, the little-known Aeronautica Umbra Trojani AUT.18 took to the skies for the first time. Conceived as a contender in Italy’s race for a modern fighter, the AUT.18 never reached production.

Austin Hancock
Austin Hancock
World War II-era Italian photograph, most likely a PR shot from the manufacturer or Regia Aeronautica. Author and source unknown.
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On this day in aviation history—April 22, 1939—we mark the 86th anniversary of the first flight of the Aeronautica Umbra Trojani AUT.18. This unique aircraft was developed in response to a Regia Aeronautica (Royal Italian Air Force) request for a new frontline fighter. Though Aeronautica Umbra faced stiff competition from more established manufacturers, the company succeeded in producing an aircraft that drew attention, if not adoption.

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The AUT.18 was the creation of Italian aircraft designer Felice Trojani, who developed a distinctive airframe powered by a 1,044-horsepower Fiat A.80 R.C.41 radial engine. Compact in design, the AUT.18 had a wingspan of 37 feet 9 inches and measured 28 feet 1 inch in length. It could reach a top speed of 300 miles per hour, had a service ceiling of 32,800 feet, and a range of 500 miles. Armament consisted of two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns mounted in the nose.

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Despite its promising specifications, flight testing revealed the AUT.18 to be inadequate as a fighter. It lagged behind its contemporaries—the FIAT G.50, Macchi C.200, and Reggiane Re.2000—in both performance and handling. Delivered to the Regia Aeronautica on November 5, 1940, the aircraft failed to secure a production contract, and only a single prototype was ever built.

4Aeronautica Umbra Trojani AUT.18 n

The ultimate fate of the AUT.18 remains a mystery. Some historians speculate that it may have been captured by British forces or transferred to Germany for testing during the war. Though it never entered service, the AUT.18 stands as a testament to the innovative spirit and ambition of its designer. Its story—like many experimental aircraft of the era—deserves to be remembered.

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Commercial Pilot, CFI, and Museum Entrepreneur, with a subject focus on WWII Aviation. I am dedicated to building flight experience so I can fly WWII Fighters, such as the P-51 Mustang, for museums and airshows, and in the USAF Heritage Flight. I lead and run the Pennington Flight Memorial, to honor local MIA Tuskegee Airman F/O Leland “Sticky” Pennington.
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