The I.Ae. 21 DL, also known as the FMA I.A.21 or FMA 21, was an experimental training aircraft developed by Argentina during the Second World War. While only one was built due to material constraints, the FMA 21 served as an advanced training aircraft for the Argentine Air Force (FAA) from 1943-1945.[2][3]
The FMA 21 was developed by Argentinian government-owned aircraft manufacturer Fábrica Militar de Aviones (FMA). Due to souring politicial relations between Argentina and the United States, FMA decided to use their experience with the North American NA-16 in service with the FAA to develop their own domestic fighter,[4] so the FMA 21 was heavily based off the fuselage of the NA-16.[5] It was also featured the first retractable landing gear built in the country.[2]
Construction
The FMA 21's fuselage consisted of welded chrome-molybdenum steel tubes covered in a duraluminium coating. The cockpit had a sliding all-acrylic canopy and was configured for tandem control.[2]
^"อเมริกาเหนือ NA-16" [North America NA-16]. hmong.wiki (in Thai). Retrieved 2024-12-11. ประสบการณ์จากการใช้เครื่องบินรุ่น NA-16-4P และความสัมพันธ์ทางการเมืองที่เสื่อมถอยกับสหรัฐอเมริกาทำให้มีการพัฒนาเครื่องบินรุ่น I.Ae. DL 21 ในพื้นที่ ซึ่งใช้โครงสร้างลำตัวเครื่องบินแบบเดียวกับรุ่น NA-16. [Experience from the NA-16-4P and the deteriorating political relations with the United States led to the development of a local variant of the I.Ae. DL 21, which used the same fuselage as the NA-16.]
^von Rauch, Georg and David L. Veres. "Argentina's Wooden Warriors". Air Classics (Challenge Publications), Volume 19, March 1983, pp. 14–21.