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Aircraft Welding Diaries: History of Partenavia

Knisley Welding caters to the aircraft exhaust system for some of Partenavia’s aircraft. Let’s take a look into the brief history of Partenavia and how it has come about, how it has contributed to the aircraft industry, and how it is doing now.

 

Foundation of Partenavia

Partenavia was formed as Partenavia Construzioni Aeronautiche in 1957 by Naples University Professor Luigi Pascale. Professor Pascale himself designed and flew some Partenavia aircraft. Pascale bought a factory in Arzano that same year. In 1959, Partenavia became a limited company.

The P. 57 Fachiro is Partenavia’s first major aircraft. The P. 57 Fachiro is a four-seater high-wing aircraft that was made to be used for flying club purposes. The Oscar model replaced the Fachiro shortly thereafter.

Takeover by Aeritalia 

In 1981, the Aeritalia group acquired Partenavia. Aeritalia focused on the manufacture of over a hundred P. 66C Charlie. The P. 66C Charlie was specially made for the Aero Club d’Italia. Aside from the P. 66. Partenavia was also known for the production of the twin-engine P. 68, which was first flown in 1970. The P. 68 is a twin-engine Partenavian aircraft.

Aercosmos takeover and Bankruptcy

Aercosmos bought Partenavia in 1993. However, in 1998, it was declared bankrupt. Vulcanair has bought all assets, design rights, and trademarks.

Partenavia as Vulcanair

Vulcanair was a spare parts producer. It was founded in 1996 through the assets, design rights, and trademarks of Partenavia after the latter became bankrupt. Vulcanair also acquired the SIAI-Marchetti SF. 600 Canguro programme of Finmeccanica, the Naple-based Samanta, the the Milan-based Aercosmos (the very same Aercosmos that had acquired Partenavia in 1993).

Vulcanair is based in Casoria, Italy, situated near Naples.

The current aircraft of Vulcanair is from the designs of Stelio Frati of the Canguro program, and of Luigi Pascale of Partenavia – especially focusing on the P68 Series.

The Partenavia P.68, now known as the Vulcanair P68, has improved from its first production in 1972. Originally built for private and business use, it has also served training and transportation aircraft purposes. The original name of the P68 is Victor but it was not used during the production.

List of Partenavia Aircrafts

In the short life of Partenavia, it was able to design, create, and manufacture a couple of aircraft models. The Partenavia Aircrafts are the following:

  • 48 Astore
  • 52 Tigrotto
  • 53 Aeroscooter
  • 55 Tornado
  • 57 Fachiro
  • 59 Jolly
  • 64 Fachiro IIII
  • 64B Oscar
  • 66B Oscar
  • 66C Charlie
  • 66D Delta
  • 66T Charlie
  • 68 Victor
  • 70 Alpha
  • 86 Mosquito
  • 68TP-300 Spartacus
  • 68TP-600 A-Viator

List of Vulcanair Aircrafts 

Based on the Canguro Program and Partenavia’s P68 series, the following are Vulcanair’s aircraft:

  • Vulcanair V1.0
  • Vulcanair Vr (P68R)
  • Vulcanair P68C
  • Vulcanair P68C TC
  • Vulcanair P68 TC Observer
  • Vulcanair P68 Observer 2
  • Vulcanair Observer 2
  • Vulcanair A-Viator
  • Vulcanair Special Mission P68 Observer
  • Vulcanair Special Mission A-Viator

For more information regarding Partenavia or Vulcanair aircraft, or if you are in need of aircraft exhaust systems, aircraft exhaust parts, or aircraft exhaust repairs for a Partenavia or Vulcainair plane, just give Knisley Welding a call and we will give you just what you need!

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