The DINFIA IA 46 Ranquel, IA 46 Super Ranquel, and IA 51 Tehuelche were Argentine utility aircraft developed in the late 1950s.
Development and construction
The intention was to create a light aircraft suitable for aeroclub and agricultural use, and the resulting design was a conventional high-wing strut-braced monoplane with fixed tailwheel undercarriage. The aircraft were named for the Ranquel and Tehuelche peoples, different groups indigenous to Patagonia.
The state-owned Dinfia organisation commenced production of the Ranquel at Cordoba in 1958. Construction was of a fabric-covered tubular structure, although the Tehuelche featured metal-covered wings. Accommodation was provided for a single pilot and a passenger in tandem configuration. In all, some 132 aircraft were built, some of which served as glider tugs for the Fuerza Aerea Argentina.
Magnusson, Michael (Winter 2009). "FMA : from 1945: The Story of Fabrica Militar de Aviones, Argentina: Part 9". Air-Britain Archive. pp. 149–155. ISSN0262-4923.
Taylor, John W. R. (1965). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company.
Taylor, John W. R. (1969). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969–70. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company.
Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 326.
Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. p. 413.
External links
Media related to DINFIA IA 46 at Wikimedia Commons