DINFIA IA 38

The DINFIA I.Ae. 38 was a continuous tape as a flying wing and Reimar Horten designed by transport aircraft. It was made in Cordoba from the Argentine company DINFIA ( Direccion Nacional de Investigaciones y Fabricaciones Aeronautica ). The exact name is unclear to many sources, the machine is also known as IA 38 designates. I.A. or I.Ae. stands for Instituto Aerotecnico.

History

DINFIA issued in 1950, the contract to build a multi-purpose large-capacity van to Reimar Horten. Under his leadership, the plans for a four-engine flying wing created with the name I.Ae. 38; some sources still call the unofficial nickname of Naranjero ( as Orange seller), because the type was also provided for the transport of oranges from the provinces to the capital. After setting up a dummy timber construction was begun in 1952 to produce a flyable prototype.

Because of that difficult economic conditions in Argentina, the construction dragged on for many years. The foreseen engines I.A. 19 with 750 hp ( 552 kW) were not available, so that the weaker engines IA 16 El Gaucho with only 450 hp ( 236 kW) had to be used. Cooling difficulties through the closed installation of the outboard engines were eventually delayed the first flight until 1960. The prototype was flown by Captain Balado, with the flight characteristics were evaluated as well.

To a production run, it did not come, because in the meantime the planning priorities de Argentine government had changed, as has the use conditions. It probably was lacking the infrastructure for the planned use. The project was canceled and scrapped the plane.

Construction

The I.Ae. 38 was a cantilever monoplane flying wing in arrangement. The wings were carried out in a zweiholmigen all-metal semi- monocoque construction; they had a special profile with thicknesses of 18% at the roots and 10.4 % at the wingtips. The Frise aileron were also constructed in full metal.

The pod body had a rectangular cross-section and was suspended below the continuous wing. The tail had a beak-like ramp gate to be opened. Two small vertical tail with normal rowing were placed close to the wing tips. The tricycle landing gear was hydraulically retractable. The main landing gear had ever two tandem wheels and was drafted into the sides of the fuselage gondola.

The kinematics of the control was taken over by the former Horten H II construction.

Specifications

For the intended production version: