SAIMAN 202

{{Short description|1930s Italian two-seat cabin monoplane}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = SAIMAN 202 | logo = | logo_size = | image = Saiman 202M, Museo dell'Aeronautica Gianni Caproni (1).JPG | alt = | caption = A Saiman 202M is on display at the Gianni Caproni Museum of Aeronautics in Trento, Italy. | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Two-seat cabin touring monoplane | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = | manufacturer = Società Industrie Meccaniche Aeronautiche Navali | design_group = | designer = Mario Bottino | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = Italian Air Force | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 390<ref>{{cite web | title=bonus casino senza deposito immediato | website=alieuomini.it| url=http://www.alieuomini.it/catalogo/dettaglio_catalogo/saiman,78.html | language=it | access-date=22 April 2023}}</ref> | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1939 | retired = 1951<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/italy/af/ital-af2-all-time.htm|title=Italian Air Force Aircraft Types|website=www.aeroflight.co.uk|accessdate=22 April 2023}}</ref> | first_flight = 1938 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}

The '''SAIMAN 202''' was a 1930s Italian two-seat cabin monoplane designed and built by the Società Industrie Meccaniche Aeronautiche Navali (SAIMAN).

==Development== Designed in response to an Italian Air Ministry requirement for a two-seat cabin monoplane, the SAIMAN 202 prototype (registered ''I-BOTT'') first flew in early 1938. The 202 was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a fixed tailwheel landing gear. It had a nose-mounted 120 hp (74 kW) de Havilland Gipsy Major engine. An enclosed cockpit had side-by-side seating for two. The first production aircraft were for civilian use with Italian training organisations and designated '''SAIMAN 202bis'''. The 202bis had only minor cabin changes but the next variant (the '''202/I''') was a major re-design with an improved fuselage re-positioned tailplane. To compete in a 1939 touring aircraft rally two special aircraft were developed; a '''202 RL''' with an Alfa Romeo 110 engine which were now standard for the civilian production aircraft, and the '''204 R''' which was a four-seater with lengthened cabin and longer nose and powered by an Alfa Romeo 115 engine.

==Operational history== To meet an urgent operational requirement for military trainers, the Regia Aeronautica ordered a simplified version of the 202 RL as the '''202/M''' in October 1939. CNA built 85, SACA built 65 and SAIMAN built 215 aircraft for the Regia Aeronautica flying schools. Aircraft were also used for liaison duties and Italian Air Attaches. A number of aircraft were captured.

==Variants== ;SAIMAN 202 :Prototype with 120hp (74kW) de Havilland Gipsy Major engine. ;SAIMAN 202bis :Civil production aircraft ;SAIMAN 202/I :Improved version ;SAIMAN 202 RL :One special variant for rally use. ;SAIMAN 202/M :Military production aircraft, 365 built. ;SAIMAN 204 R :One four-seat variant for rally use.

==Operators== ;{{CRO}} *Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia ;{{flag|Kingdom of Italy}} *Regia Aeronautica *Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force ;{{ITA}} *Italian Air Force operated some SAIMAN 202 until 1951<ref name="auto"/>

==Specifications== {{Aircraft specs |ref=<ref>Orbis 1985, p 2838</ref> |prime units? = met |crew=2 |length m=7.65 |length ft=25 |length in=1.25 |span m=10.66 |span ft=34 |span in=11.75 |height m=1.91 |height ft=6 |height in=3.25 |wing area sqm=17.66 |wing area sqft=190.10 |empty weight kg=670 |empty weight lb=1477 |gross weight kg=930 |gross weight lb=2050 |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Alfa Romeo 110-1 inline piston engine |eng1 kw=89 |eng1 hp=120 |max speed kmh=220 |max speed mph=137 |range km=600 |range miles=373 |ceiling m=5050 |ceiling ft=16,570 }}

==See also== {{aircontent  |see also= |related= |similar aircraft= |lists=* List of aircraft of World War II }}

==References== {{commons category|Saiman 202}} {{reflist}} * {{cite book |last= Taylor |first= Michael J. H. |title=Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation |year=1989 |publisher=Studio Editions |location=London }} *{{cite book |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)|publisher= Orbis Publishing}}

Category:1930s Italian civil utility aircraft Category:1930s Italian military trainer aircraft Category:Low-wing aircraft Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1938