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Which Italian canard fighter flew in 1939?

Short answer

The Ambrosini SS.4, a single-seat all-metal canard-configuration fighter, which first flew on 7 March 1939. It was the first Italian canard fighter and was designed by Sergio Stefanutti. The following day, on its second flight, it crashed and Ambrosini's chief test pilot, Ambrogio Colombo, died.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Which Italian canard fighter flew in 1939?
¿Qué caza canard italiano voló en 1939?

A canard with a pusher propeller

The SS.4 was a single-seat fighter of all-metal construction with a canard wing configuration, two fins mounted at the wing trailing edges, retractable tricycle gear and a short fuselage with the engine at the rear driving a pusher propeller. Sergio Stefanutti was its designer and the aircraft was the first Italian canard fighter. Its first flight took place on 7 March 1939.

Ambrogio Colombo's accident

After 45 minutes, an aileron failed only 2 km from Eleuteri. Colombo tried to land but couldn't reach the runway and crashed near Campagna, hitting a tree. During the aircraft's second flight, the following day, it crashed and Ambrosini's chief test pilot, Ambrogio Colombo, died. The engine broke through the rear bulkhead and crushed him.

The end of the project

A second prototype was ordered, but development priority went to wooden aircraft, which were easier to develop, and the SS.4 design was abandoned in 1942.

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Which Italian canard fighter flew in 1939?