Romano R.82

R-82
Role	Two-seat intermediate and aerobatic trainer
National origin	France
Manufacturer	SNCASE
Designer	Etienne Romano
First flight	1936
Primary users	French Air Force French Navy
Number built	180

The Romano R-82 was a two-seat intermediate and aerobatic trainer designed by Etienne Romano with production aircraft built by SNCASE.

Design and development

The prototype Romano R-80.01 was a private venture design by Etienne Romano for a two-seat aerobatic biplane to use as a demonstrator. Tested in 1935 with a 179 kW (240 hp) Lorraine 7Me radial engine it was later fitted with a 209 kW (280 hp) Salmson 9Aba radial and re-designated the R-80.2. The R.80.2 was a biplane with a fixed tailwheel landing gear and with the change of scope to a tandem two-seat dual-control aerobatic trainer it was re-designated the R.82.01. Two more prototypes were built which were sold to private owners. Romano became part of the nationalised SNCASE and the French Air Force ordered the R-82 into production with 147 aircraft being delivered. The French Navy also ordered 30 R-82s and all Air Force and Navy aircraft had been delivered by May 1940. In 1938 two aircraft were ferried to Spain and used by the Spanish Republican government in the fight with Nationalist forces.

Operators

France

• French Air Force
• French Navy

Spain

• Spanish Republican Air Force

Specifications (R-82)

Data from

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 7.82 m (25 ft 7 in)
• Wingspan: 9.88 m (32 ft 5 in)
• Height: 3.34 m (10 ft 11½ in)
• Wing area: 23.72 m² (255.33 ft²)
• Empty weight: 918 kg (2024 lb)
• Gross weight: 1328 kg (2928 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Salmson 9Aba radial piston engine, 209 kW (280 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
• Range: 660 km (410 miles)
• Service ceiling: 6500 m (21325 ft)

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. 
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.