FS2004 Ansaldo S.V.A.-5 (V.01)
****************************************************************************
One of the faster airplane of WWI thanks to an innovative design, the S.V.A. was the first airplane conceived and built entirely in Italy.
The initials "S.V.A." stand for the names of Savoia and Verduzio, the two engineers that designed it, and of Ansaldo, the firm that built over 2000 of them starting from 1917. The Ansaldo S.V.A. was an entire family of Italian reconnaissance biplane aircraft of World War I and the decade after. Originally conceived as a fighter, the S.V.A. was found inadequate for that role. Nevertheless, its impressive speed, range and operational ceiling made it an excellent reconnaissance aircraft and even light bomber.
The S.V.A. became legendary among pilots for some of its memorable flights; first, above all, the one over Vienna: this flight was an epic action performed by Italian poet and nationalist patriot Gabriele D'Annunzio on 9th August 1918. After the war, thanks to the strong determination of Arturo Ferrarin and Guido Masiero( the pilots), two S.V.A.9s (the two seater version of the S.V.A.-5) flew for 18000Km from Rome to Tokyo (14th February / 31st May 1920). Another S.V.A., piloted by Antonio Locatelli, first flew alone across the Andes (30th July 1919). Production of the aircraft continued well after the war, with the final examples delivered in 1928. In 1919 some S.V.A.s were used in airmail routes by "Gruppo Sperimentale Comunicazioni Aeree", a group formed by the Italian Army in order to prove the feasibility of commercial air services. The Regia Aeronautica (Royal Italian Air Force, since 1923) employed the S.V.A. in operational units in Italy and North Africa (Lybia) as well as for pilot training. Many war-surplus planes were employed by commercial flying schools.
Complete aircraft, 5 Different Hi-Res GMax models (5 different versions, three S.V.A.-5 and two S.V.A.-9), features the usual moving parts, such as all flight controls. Five different liveries (three WWI and two post-war). VC and 2D Panel. Models, panels and paints by Manuele Villa, Flight dynamics, Handling notes and tutorials by FSAviator.
September 2008. Installation instructions included.

****************************************************************************