J.Davilla Italian Aviation in the First World War. Vol.3: Aircraft M-W (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 75)

Pegna

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  He collaborated in the construction of a seaplane at Pesaro, where he was assigned in August 1914, and, in collaboration with the pilot Giuseppe Rossi, also performed experiments with launching torpedoes from seaplanes. In 1915 Pegna was transferred to Milan, to coordinate the production of aeronautical support facilities for seaplanes operating in the area. At this time Pegna began the design of three new types - a single-engine seaplane and two four-engine bombers (fitted with wheels). The two bombers received designations Pegna 8 and Pegna 9. One was to be constructed by the Societa Architetto Monti di Milano and the other by Cantieri Fratelli Zari at Bovisio Mombello. Unfortunately for Pegna, Ammiraglio Pini suddenly died, and he was succeeded by Ammiraglio Casanova. He had no interest in the heavy bomber program and unilaterally rescinded the contracts and canceled the prototypes which were still under construction.

  Pegna 6 - With the support of Ammiraglio (Admiral) Pino Pini, Chief of Staff of the Royal Navy, Pegna proceeded with the construction of the Pegna 6 seaplane, a two-seat biplane, with a single-engine, supplied by the firm Isotta Fraschini.
  The Pegna 6 was a two-seat, biplane flying boat intended for maritime reconnaissance. The engine was a 180 hp Isotta Fraschini V4B. The hull, initially in steel, was later replaced with a lighter wooden structure. The thick wings, were strengthened by two vertical struts on either side.
  Ammiraglio Casanova, who had replaced Pini on his death, cancelled the project.
  The Isotta Fraschini firm decided instead to complete on their own behalf, as a company project. Ammiraglio Casanova saw this as a willful disobedience of his orders and placed Pegna under arrest for three months. However, the Aviation Department of the Isotta Fraschini firm, under the direction of Flaminio Piana Canova, assisted by engineer Tebaldi, completed the seaplane that was successfully tested on Lake Orta. To no ones surprise, the aircraft was not purchased by the Regia Marina.

  Pegna 7 - Pegna had also planned a high altitude, called «stratosferico» (stratospheric) aircraft which was designated Pegna VII, which was to be able to operate between 6000 and 8000 meters. This aircraft was to have had four engines mounted in tandem and a fifth engine inside the fuselage for actuating the central compressor supercharging. The project was halted when the Pegna 8 and 9 contracts were canceled.

  Pegna 8 - this was a four-engine biplane bomber, powered by four 250-hp Isotta Fraschini V6 motors mounted in tandem. The construction, which began in 1917 at the Society Brothers Zari, was later suspended after the death of Ammiraglio Pini by order of the Regia Marina. Known specifications include a wing span of 35 m; length 16.50m; wing area 200 sqm; maximum speed was projected to be 160km/h.

  Pegna 9 - this design was very similar to the Pegna 8, but it had a wing area reduced from 200 to 140 square feet, to make it less cumbersome and faster. The construction, which began in 1917 at the Societa Architetto Monti di Milano, was then halted by the Royal Navy. Known specifications include a wing span of 25 m; length 14 m; and wing area of 140 sq m.

  After the Pegna 7 debacle, Pegna was again transferred to La Spezia, where he was able to carry out important experiments on marine propellers and sea-based platforms to enable aircraft to take-off and land and which would be propelled by powerful speed boats.
  In 1917, at the request of DTAM, (Technical Service for Army Aviation) Pegna was assigned to Turin, where he undertook studies and experiments on the flight test of airplanes in order to evaluate the structural stresses which they were subjected to during aerobatics and aerial combat.
  In 1918 he remained assigned to the DTAM when it moved to Rome and with the collaboration of colonnello Biondi and under the direction of generale Costanzi, continued his technical studies.
  After the war, during which despite the incident with Ammiraglio Casanova he reached the rank of maggiore del Genio Navale (Major of Naval Engineers) Pegna left the military in 1919 to start a business in the field of civil aeronautical design.
  See P.B.R. for details.