Hispano Aviación HA-1112

infobox Aircraft
name = HA-1112



caption = HA-1112 K. 1. L "Tripala"
type = Fighter
manufacturer = Messerschmitt
Hispano Aviacion
designer =
first flight = 1951
introduced =
retired = 1965
primary user = Spanish Air Force
more users =
number built =
status = Retired
unit cost =
developed from = Messerschmitt Bf 109
variants with their own articles =

The Hispano Aviacion HA-1109 and HA-1112 were license-built versions of the Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 developed in Spain during and after WWII.

Design and development

The Spanish government in 1942 arranged a manufacturing licence with Messerschmitt AG to build the Bf 109G-2, with DB605A engines, propellers, instruments, and weapons to be supplied from Germany. This proved impossible, as Germany was incapable of meeting her own needs, let alone Spain's; in the event, only twenty-five airframes (minus their tails) and not even half the necessary drawings were delivered. [Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. "Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare" (London: Phoebus, 1978), Volume 11, p.1193, "HA-1109/1112".]

As a result, Hispano substituted the 1,300 hp Hispano-Suiza 12Z-89 engine, which flew at Barcelona in 1944, while the first HA-1109-J1L made its maiden flight 2 March 1945 at Seville, using a VDM prop and lash-up engine mounting. [Fitzsimons, p.1193, "HA-1109/1112".] The other twenty-four airframes were flown during 1947-9 with Escher-Wyss props, but never became operational.

A developed version, with an improved installation for the Hispano-Suiza 12Z-17 engine, appeared in May 1951 as the HA-1109-K1L. [Fitzsimons, p.1193, "HA-1109/1112".] Fitted with a three bladed DH Hydromatic [Fitzsimons, p.1193, "HA-1109/1112".] propeller, it was nicknamed "Tripala" ("three blades"). Its armament consisted of one or two 12.7mm Breda machineguns [Fitzsimons, p.1193, "HA-1109/1112".] and Pilatus eight-packs of 80mm rockets.

It first flew in 1951, and although 200 units were planned, only 65 were ever built. The aircraft in the upper picture was posted to Tablada, Morón, Torrejón and León. It was retired from service in 1955. On 6 May 1971 it was placed in the Museo del Aire.

A second version, the HA-1110-K1L, was a two-place tandem trainer model. [Fitzsimons, p.1193, "HA-1109/1112".]

The final variant was the HA-1112-M1L "Buchon" (literally, "big throat"), which is both a male dove or a pelican in Spanish. It first flew 29 March 1954. The 1112-M1L was equipped with the 1,600 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-45 [Fitzsimons, p.1194, "HA-1109/1112".] engine and Rotol propeller. [Fitzsimons, p.1194, "HA-1109/1112".] This engine required the addition of a deep chin intake, whence the name "Buchón". Its armament consisted of two 20 mm Hispano-Suiza 404/408 cannons and two Oerlikon or Pilatus eight-packs of 80 mm rockets. It remained in service until 27 December 1965.

Since the HA-1112-M1L remained in flying condition until the mid-1960s, it allowed them to later be used for theatrical purposes, disguised as "Emils" and "Gustavs" (See ) in movies like "Battle of Britain", "Memphis Belle", and "Tuskegee Airmen". Remarkably, "Buchons" also played the Bf 109's opposition, the Hawker Hurricane, in one scene in "Battle of Britain".

pecifications

HA-1112-K1L

* Wing span: 9,92 m (32 ft, 6 inches)
* Length: 8.49 m (26 ft, 3 inches)
* Height: 2.60 m (8 ft, 6 inches)
* Wing surface: 16 m² (172 square ft)
* Wing load: 200 kg/m2 (41 lb/square ft)
* Empty weight: 2,475 kg (5456 lb)
* Maximum weight: 3,200 kg (7054 lb)
* Engine: 1,300 hp Hispano-Suiza 12Z-17 V12; three-bladed Hamilton propeller

* Maximum speed: 600 Km/h (324 knots)
* Cruise speed: 400 km/h (216 knots)
* Service ceiling: 9800 m (32,150 ft)
* Range: 690 km (373 NM) without external fuel containers
* Crew: 1 man
* Armament: two 20 mm Hispano-Suiza 404/408 cannons; two 80 mm, eight rocket Pilatus devices

HA-1112-M1L

* Wing span: 9.92 m (32 ft, 6 inches)
* Length: 9.13 m (30 ft)
* Height: 2.60 m (8 ft, 6 inches)
* Wing surface: 16 m² (172 square ft)
* Wing load: 206 kg/m² (42.2 lb/square ft)
* Empty weight: 2,666 kg (5877 lb)
* Maximum weight: 3,330 kg (7341 lb)
* Engine: 1,600 hp [Rolls-Royce Merlin] 500/45 V12, a four-bladed Rotol propeller

* Maximum speed: 665 Km/h (360 knots)
* Service ceiling: 10,200 m (33,500 ft)
* Range: 765 km (415 NM) without external fuel containers
* Crew: 1 man
* Armament: two 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404/408 cannons; and two 80 mm, eight rocket Oerlikon devices

ee also

aircontent

related=
* Messerschmitt Bf 109
* Avia S-99/S-199

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References

* "Original pictures and data of this article were taken from Museo del Aire, Cuatro Vientos, Madrid, Spain"
*Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. "Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare" (London: Phoebus, 1978), Volume 11, p.1193-4, "HA-1109/1112".