ANSALDO A1 BALILLA

Source: Italian manufacturer 'Ansaldo'

Acquired: 1923, 1925

Type: single-seat fighter

Engine: 220-hp SPA 6A, six-cylinder liquid cooled

Dimensions

Length: 6.84 m

Wing Span: 7.685 m

Height: 2.53 m

Range: 550 km

Maximum Ceiling: 6,000 - 7,000 m

Known Serial Numbers: 1K, 2K, 3K, 12K, 28, 34, 35, 39, 44, 45, 47, 49

Notes

• The Balilla is a 1917 design by Giuseppe Brezzi.
• This design of aircraft was first demonstrated in Latvia on June 7, 1923 at the Air Show. The plane was piloted by an Italian, Lovandino. By August Latvia had already acquired and was flying its first four Balillas.
• Markings: The markings and colour schemes of the Balillas seem to have had a number of variants. Some of them certainly appear to have retained their factory finish (dark plywood fuselage with clear doped linen flying surfaces), others may have received the usual latvian green, some of those still retaining a lighter coloured rudder.
• Armament: Two Vickers 7.9 mm synchronized machine guns.
• The Italian aircraft were phased out in the early 1930s, being replaced by the Gladiators, Hinds and SV-5s. In total, over the course of their service lifetimes, the twelve Balillas were involved in two fatal accidents.
• #1K
  • Original serial number 318

    Date	Personnel	Duration	Notes
    October 10, 1924	R.Gulbis	75 min	training flight
    October 14, 1924	R.Gulbis	60 min	training flight
    October 16, 1924	R.Gulbis	60 min	training flight
    October 20, 1924	R.Gulbis	45 min	training flight
    November 6, 1924	R.Gulbis	60 min	training flight
    November 10, 1924	R.Gulbis	60 min	training flight
    November 14, 1924	R.Gulbis	30 min	training flight
    January 16, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	gunnery practice with gun camera
    January 22, 1925	R.Gulbis	35 min	gunnery practice with gun camera
    January 24, 1925	R.Gulbis	65 min	gunnery practice with gun camera
    February 12, 1925	R.Gulbis	45 min	training flight
    February 13, 1925	R.Gulbis	45 min	training flight
    February 18, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	gunnery practice with gun camera

• #2K
  • Original serial number 319
  • In 1924 this aircraft was assigned to the fighter division (along with the other Balillas). However, in 1925 this was the only one transferred to the reconnaissance unit.
  • [See Photo above]

    Date	Personnel	Duration	Notes
    April 26, 1925	R.Gulbis	45 min	Formation flying
    May 1, 1925	R.Gulbis	60 min	Formation flight over Riga
    August 27, 1925	R.Gulbis	25 min	training flight over Riga

• #3K
  • Original serial number 320
• #12K

  • Date	Personnel	Duration	Notes
    February 5, 1925	R.Gulbis	120 min	Formation flying

• #28
  • Original serial number 321
  • Initially, when the first Balillas were purchased, this was the only one designated for general use. The others were to be kept in top condition with only selected pilots permitted to fly them. The pilots thus designated were V.Jakubovs, J.Prieditis, A.Zarins and J.Rimsa. These restrictions were in place only until Sept.7, 1923, when all the Balillas were made available for general use.
  • 1926 - after major repairs/overhaul this aircraft was test flown (Bergmanis) and returned to service.
  • June 29, 1927 - Balilla no.28, piloted by Sgt. Robert Bemchens crashes at Spilve. The airplane crashed and was totally incinerated..

    Date	Personnel	Duration	Notes
    September 20, 1924	R.Gulbis	20 min	training flight
    September 24, 1924	R.Gulbis	70 min	training flight
    September 29, 1924	R.Gulbis	90 min	training flight
    October 6, 1924	R.Gulbis	60 min	training flight
    July 10, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	training flight in vicinity of Daugavpils
    June 16, 1925	R.Gulbis	15 min	aerobatic training

• #34
  • 1926 - after major repairs/overhaul this aircraft was test flown (Bergmanis) and returned to service.

    Date	Personnel	Duration	Notes
    February 6, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	training flight
    February 17, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	training flight
    March 5, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	aerobatics practice
    March 13, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	aerobatics practice
    April 23, 1925	R.Gulbis	25 min	training flight
    June 3, 1925	R.Gulbis	15 min	aerobatics training
    June 3, 1925	R.Gulbis	60 min	gunnery practice with gun camera
    June 4, 1925	R.Gulbis	60 min	aerobatics training
    June 4, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	aerobatics training
    June 5, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	aerobatics training
    June 9, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	aerobatics training
    June 28, 1925	R.Gulbis	130 min	transfer flight to Daugavpils training camp
    June 28, 1925	R.Gulbis	60 min	Familiarization flight re: Soviet border
    July 1, 1925	R.Gulbis	15 min	training flight
    July 3, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	training flight
    July 4, 1925	R.Gulbis	90 min	training flight near Daugavpils
    July 5, 1925	R.Gulbis	75 min	training flight
    August 10, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	Formation flying over aerodrome
    August 12, 1925	R.Gulbis	60 min	Formation flying over aerodrome
    August 12, 1925	R.Gulbis	65 min	Formation flying over aerodrome
    August 19, 1925	R.Gulbis	45 min	training flight

• #35
  • 1926 - after major repairs/overhaul this aircraft was test flown (Kleins) and returned to service.

    Date	Personnel	Duration	Notes
    July 8, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	training flight near Daugavpils
    July 10, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	training flight near Daugavpils
    August 18, 1925	R.Gulbis	15 min	engine test
    August 19, 1925	R.Gulbis	50 min	Formation flight over aerodrome
    August 25, 1925	R.Gulbis	35 min	Riga - Majori - Riga
    August 31, 1925	R.Gulbis	60 min	training flight
    September 2, 1925	R.Gulbis	60 min	training flight
    September 3, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	training flight
    September 8, 1925	R.Gulbis	60 min	training flight
    September 9, 1925	R.Gulbis	50 min	training flight
    September 9, 1925	R.Gulbis	40 min	training flight
    September 10, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	training flight
    September 14, 1925	R.Gulbis	30 min	training flight
    September 15, 1925	R.Gulbis	60 min	training flight

• #39
  • [See Profile above]
• #44
  • [See Photo above]
• #45
• #47
• #49
  • January 29, 1930 - Balilla no.49, piloted by vltn. Dimitri Gotsalk, crashes at Spilve. The plane was seen to spin from a height of 600-700 m, in both directions, apparently with no control from the pilot. The pilot did not survive.

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