Originally named the PD.808 Vespa Jet the business jet was designed in a joint venture between Piaggio and the Douglas Aircraft Company.[1] The basic design work was carried out by Douglas and the prototype was built at the Piaggio factory at Finale Ligure.[2]
The PD.808 was a low-wing cantilever cabin-monoplane with tip-tanks and powered by two rear-mountedBristol Siddeley Viper 525 turbojets. It has retractabletricycle landing gear and was originally designed with a cabin for a pilot and six-passengers.[1]
The first Viper 525-poweredprototype (with Italian Serial NumberMM577) first flew on 29 August 1965, this was followed by a second Viper 525 powered prototype and two civil demonstrators.[2]
The company tried to interest commercial operators (including offering aGeneral Electric CJ610 variant) but the only interest was from theItalian Air Force as a liaison, training and radar calibration aircraft with an order for 25.[2] The Italian Air Force aircraft were powered by Viper 526 turbojets.[3]
On 18 June 1968 one of the demonstration aircraftI-PIAI crashed in bad-weather when it flew into the side of Mount Jaizkibel, near San Sebastian, Spain, all six on-board including the Italian businessmanLino Zanussi and the Piaggio chief test pilotDavide Albertazzi were killed.[5]
MM62015 – PD-808GE on static display inLucca, Tuscany. It was previously operated by the Italian Air Force.[6]
MM61961 - PD-808GE on static display outside theMuseo Storico dell'Aeronautica Militare di Vigna di Valle (Italian Air Force Museum inVigna di Valle), with "Ultimo Volo 17.5.03 (Final Flight 17-5-'03)" titles.[7]
^Taylor, John W.R., ed. (1975).Jane's all the world's aircraft, 1975–76 (66th annual ed.). New York: Franklin Watts Inc. pp. 137–138.ISBN978-0531032503.
