Pilatus Aircraft designed the P-2 trainer in 1942 for the Swiss Air Force in 1942 and 55 aircraft were built, to reduce cost the undercarriage was that of retired Swiss Air Force Messerschmitt Bf 109's. The the Swiss Air Force operated two types of the Pilatus P-2, the unarmed P-2-05 for flight training and the armed P-2-06 for weapons training. The Swiss Air Force retired it's remaining Pilatus P-2's in 1981 and these are now in private hands. Pilatus P-2-05 Specifications: Crew: Instructor and trainee Length: 9.07 m (29 ft 9 in) Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in) Height: 2.70 m (8 ft 10¼ in) Empty weight: 1380 kg (3040 lb) Gross weight: 1800 kg (3970 lb) Engine: Single 347 kW (465 hp) Argus As 410 A-2 supercharged inverted V12 air-cooled engine Maximum speed: 340 km/h (211 mph) Cruising speed: 306 km/h (190 mph) Range: 865 km (537 miles) Service ceiling: 6600 m (21654 ft) |