Italian Bird Dog in Beloeil QC, Canada

[Michel Lemieux]

Italian Bird Dog in Beloeil QC........

Rare Italian built turboprop variant under 100 units built......

Really clean and I have no clue how it ended up in Canada.

I was told by one of the local that it is now under bank ownership due to a long story.

It is in great shape but sadly sitting outside in our harsh winters........

Love the jet fuel tanks under the wings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIAI-Marchetti_SM.1019

[JohnB]

To bad we don't see more over here...it would be a great bush plane.
Obviously you can't use it commercially, but I don't think you can with a stock Cessna Bird Dog (as opposed to an Ector).

[John Dupre]

I remember the late Jeff Ethell wrote that this warbird was one of the worst airplanes he had ever flown. The ground handling rivalled the Messerschmitt 109 and it was a real handful once flying.

[JohnB]

I'm not sure why it would be that different than the piston Bird Dog.
Lighter engine is offset by lengthening the nose, bigger fin to give more stability & rudder.

Besides, in a bush plane, like a sports car, more power is usually welcome.

[mustanglover]

I remember the late Jeff Ethell wrote that this warbird was one of the worst airplanes he had ever flown. The ground handling rivalled the Messerschmitt 109 and it was a real handful once flying.

We have one and Conrad has a ton of time in it.....never heard a bad word about.