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| STANDARD DATA: Seats 5-9. Gross wt. 18,000. Empty wt. 10,650. Fuel capacity 984. Engines two 3,368-lb. s.t. Rolls-Royce Bristol Viper turbojets. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 529. Cruise mph 497. Stall mph 104. Initial climb rate 5,400. Range 1,332. Ceiling 45,000. Takeoff distance (35′) 3,180. Landing distance (50′) 2,990. |
Under an agreement signed in 1961, Piaggio and Douglas Aircraft developed the PD-808 for military and commercial use. The aircraft was designed at Douglas and constructed by Piaggio. Taking to the air for the first time in 1964, the PD-808 was powered by Bristol Siddeley Viper turbojets mounted on the sides of the rear fuselage. Accommodations provided for a crew of one or two, five passengers in individual seats, bar, toilet, and baggage space.
Power increased in 1966 to 3,300 lbs. s.t. The PD-808 differed from the original model by having larger tip tanks, a longer dorsal fin, and a forward-sliding nose fairing. By 1972, the aircraft was available in several versions: a five-seat executive version, a seven-seat executive transport, a six-seat version for the Italian Air Force, and one powered by 3,500-lb. s.t. AiResearch turbofans. Other PD-808s are powered by twin 3,360-lb. s.t. turbojets drawing from two integrated tanks of 511 gallons total capacity and wingtip tanks with 473 gallons total capacity.
