Flug- und Fahrzeugwerke Altenrhein P-16
The Flug- und Fahrzeugwerke Altenrhein (FFA) P-16 was a Swiss prototype ground attack jet fighter designed and produced by aircraft manufacturer Flug- und Fahrzeugwerke Altenrhein (FFA). It was Switzerland's second attempt to develop a domestically designed and manufactured jet fighter, following the EFW N-20.
Work on what would become the P-16 commenced during the late 1940s. From the onset, the company intended for the indigenously developed fighter to replace several piston-engined aircraft that were then in service with the Swiss Air Force. During 1952, a pair of prototypes were ordered from FFA. On 25 April 1955, the first prototype performed its maiden flight. On 15 August 1956, the second prototype exceeded the sound barrier for the first time. The flight test programme demonstrated the P-16 to be capable of achieving favourable performance; accordingly, a production contract for 100 aircraft was issued by the Swiss Government.
In the aftermath of a pre-production aircraft's crash, the Swiss production order was terminated and soon thereafter replaced by orders for the British-built Hawker Hunter. This cancellation had come before any production P-16s had been completed. While the company continued the program independently for a time, completing a further two aircraft, no buyers could be found for the type. The P-16s were examined by Bill Lear, who later developed the highly successful Learjet family of business jets. However, the P-16 was never introduced into service by any operator, and only a single example of the type remains presently.
P-16 Mk.1 Prototype/J-3001
- First flight, April 25, 1955.
- Crashed into Lake Constance due to engine failure, August 31. 1955.
Test pilot Hans Häfliger prepared for the first flight of the prototype FFA P-16, April 25th, 1955.
[Source: Unknown]
P-16 Mk.1 Prototype/J-3002
- 6/16/1955: First flight.
- Flew with civil registration “X-HB-VAB”.
- Scrapped following end of the test program.
P-16 Mk.2 Prototype/J-3003
- 4/15/1957: First flight.
- 3/25/1958: Crashed into Lake Bodensee due to hydraulic failure. Pilot ejected safely.
P-16 Mk.3 Prototype/J-3004
- 7/8/1959: First flight.
- Flew with civil registration “X-HB-VAC”.
- 1978: Broken up at Altenrhein APT, Saint Gallen.
P-16 Mk.3 Prototype/J-3005
- First flight, March 24, 1960.
- Flew with civil registration “X-HB-VAD”.
- Aircraft on display at the Swiss Air Force Museum at Dubendorf AB is a composite of two of the prototypes.
FFA P-16/J-3005/X-HB-VAD.
[Source: Unknown]
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