Piaggio PD.808

PD.808
Piaggio PD.808
Role	Business & military jet
Manufacturer	Piaggio Aero
Designer	Douglas Aircraft Company
First flight	29 August 1964
Introduction	November 1966
Primary user	Italian Air Force
Number built	24
Unit cost	$350,000-$400,000 in 1961

The Piaggio PD.808 was designed by the Douglas Aircraft Company of Long Beach, California, as a business jet. No orders were received, and the complete project was bought by Piaggio Aero, which flew the first prototype in August 1965. Piaggio also failed to secure any worthwhile commercial interest, but a few examples were taken by the Italian Air Force.

Only 24 examples of this type, with low-set wings and aft-mounted turbojet engines, were produced, and 22 of these went to the Italian Air Force. The first aircraft were configured for the utility role, but the last six aircraft were completed as electronic platforms with cabin accommodation for specialist electronic intelligence equipment and its three operators.

Variants

• PD-808VIP: VIP transport.
• PD-808TA: navigation trainer.
• PD-808RM (radiomesure): radio calibration.
• PD-808GE (guerra elettronica): Electronic warfare aircraft. The version PD-808GE1 entered service in 1972, the PD-808GE2 in 1977.
• PD-808TF: Proposed turbofan-powered version. Not built.

Operators

Italy

• Italian Air Force

Specifications (PD.808)

PD.808 in a special commemorative colour scheme at the aircraft show Giornata Azzurra 2006

Data from Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide

General characteristics

• Crew: two pilots plus mission crew
• Length: 12.8 m (42 ft 2 in)
• Wingspan: 13.2 m (43 ft 3 in)
• Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
• Empty weight: 4,830 kg (10,650 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 8,165 kg (18,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Rolls Royce Viper Mk526 turbojets

Performance

• Maximum speed: 852 km/h (529 mph)
• Range: 2,128 km (1,148 nmi)