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

Ricci

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Ricci 6

  In 1918, the Riccis also designed a single-seat triplane which, completed at the beginning of 1920, had a wingspan of only 3.45 meters, at the time it was one the smallest (if not the smallest) aircraft in the world.
  The Ricci 6 or R.6, made the first flight at Bagnoli airport (Naples), piloted by Bruno Albertazzi, at the beginning of 1920. In July 1919 the LAN, Lega Aerea Nazionale (National Air League), with the intention of launching light aviation in Italy announced a competition for touring airplanes. The regulation set the wingspan at only 6 meters.The Ricci R.6 was entered and placed third behind the Macchi M.16 and the Breda Pensuti. It also set an international record in the category height (3,770 m) with am engine below 50-hp.
  The R.6 was offered at a price of 20,000 lire, but there were no sales. The Ricci R.6 was purchased by the well-known engine manufacturer Alessandro Anzani who perhaps, in this way recovered, the cost of his 35-hp engine.
  In 1925 Ettore and Umberto Ricci joined the Aeronautical Section of the Societa Bacini e Scali di Napoli, which specialized in the repair and overhauls of airplanes and seaplanes. At that time Ettore Ricci also designed a small two-seat fighter with folding wings. It was to be carried on warships and launched by catapult. This project was never built and did not receive a Ricci designation.
  In the course of 1931-1932, the Regia Aeronautica purchased a second example of the Ricci R.6 triplane that had been built at the Societa Bacini e Scali of Naples, with modest changes compared to the original. This new R.6 had wingspan increased to 3.60 meters and a 40-hp 6-cylinder Anzani engine. It was tested by the pilot Otello Venchiarutti and assigned Italian military serial MM.167. After testing, it was assigned to the Squadriglia di Propaganda Aeronautica (Air Force Propaganda Squadron).
  The Regia Aeronautica thought of using the Ricci R.6 for liaison and flight training and even special uses in the colonies. But, in the end they only bought the one machine.


Ricci 7

  Built in 1924 using the wings and engine of the Ricci 5 bis seaplane, the Ricci 7 was a landplane with a biplane layout. It was flown for the first time by Di Loreto in Capodichino. In 1925, Ricci replaced the wings with two newly designed wing panels designed for the Ricci 7 bis. In November 1925, piloted by Gennaro Pistone the plane participated in the preliminary rounds of the Italian Cup at Centocelle Airport, Rome. The Ricci 7 suffered a breakage of an engine connecting rod and the pilot was forced to land.


Ricci 8 I.A.S.

  In 1918, as the war ended, the Ricci brothers, based on their project and with the financial support of Baron Gallotti, they built the Ricci 8 I.A.S. (Idroplano Anti Sommergibile = Anti Submarine Seaplane). It was a central-hulled, monoplane flying boat, intended to make low level attacks on submarines. The Ricci 8 I.A.S. had a hull and short and thick wings of only 8 m span and an area of 20 square meters. Once again they chose to use 300-hp Fiat A.12 bis, driving a tractor four-blade propeller, placed aft of the cockpit.
  The armament was a fast-firing cannon mounted in the bow and two torpedoes.The Ricci 8 I.A.S., would use ground effect when it flew low over the surface of the water, reducing aerodynamic drag and conserving fuel. The end of the war ended development of the Ricci 8 I.A.S.


Ricci 9

  With the end of the conflict Ettore and Umberto Ricci diversified into shipbuilding. They set up their own company, called «Societa Cantieri Aeronautici e Navali Fratelli Ricci, Ettore and Umberto», located on Lake Lucrino, near Naples. Here they built boats of different types and tonnages.
  In 1921 a two-seater version of the Ricci 6 was built and designated R.9.The wingspan had been increased to 4.50 meters and the wing area had been increased to 13 square meters and the length to 5 meters. The 35 hp Anzani 6-cylinder engine had been replaced by a 60-hp Le Rhone rotary engine. At the time of its construction, the Ricci 9 was hailed as the smallest two-seater in the world.
  The R.9 was offered at a price of 30,000 lire, but there were no sales. There was a bright side, however; thanks to the attention that the Ricci 6 and 9 had brought to the Ricci brothers , they received orders to build airplanes under license.


Ricci R.6 Single Seat Light Aircraft with One 35 hp Anzani 6-cylinder Engine
  Wingspan 3.50 m, length 3.75 m, height 2.30 m, wing area 11 m2
  Empty weight 150 kg, payload 110 kg, total weight 260 kg
  Maximum speed 140 km/h, minimum speed 35 km/h.