W.Green, G.Swanborough The Complete Book of Fighters

MACCHI M.14 Italy

   Owing little to the Hanriot HD.I that was licence-built by Nieuport-Macchi, the M.14 single-seat sesquiplane fighter was designed by Alessandro Tonini. Of wooden construction and featuring Warren truss style interplane bracing, the M.14 was powered by a 110 hp Le Rhone 9J nine-cylinder rotary engine and had provision for an armament of twin synchronised 7,7-mm Vickers guns. Flight testing commenced in the spring of 1918, but the prototype was destroyed in June of that year. Nevertheless, a series of 10 M.14 fighters was built, official evaluation trials being conducted at Montecelio during 1919. However, no additional orders were placed for the type and those M.14s completed were employed as advanced trainers, at least one receiving a civil registration (I-BADG).

Max speed, 113 mph (182 km/h) at sea level.
Time to 3,280 ft (1 000 m), 3.5 min.
Endurance, 2 hrs.
Empty weight, 970 lb (440 kg).
Loaded weight, 1,411 lb (640 kg).
Span, 26 ft 10 4/5 in (8,20 m).
Length, 18 ft 6 1/2 in (5,65 m).
Height, 8 ft 7 1/8 in (2,62 m).
Wing area, 178.69 sq ft (16,60 m2).