The AAI AF-45 Manta was the Federation of Aquilla's main WW2 fighter aircraft. It first flew in 1938 and soon was found to be rather agile and powerful. Initially given no planned name, a officer came up to the prototype and exclaimed, "In God's name, are you all making a flying manta ray?" The name stuck. The aircraft was produced in great numbers, becoming the Liberty Ship of planes. The last variant in service, the AF-45BJ, was withdrawn in 1976, replaced by the AF-76 Bloodhound. Today, at least 400 of the planes remain in existence, with 220 in an airworthy state. Individual aircraft: AF-45-001 (built 1938, the prototype, used in trials until laid up in 1955, restored 2015 and at National Destroyer Museum), AF-45A-332 "Cannon Fodder" (built 1940, a naval craft based on the escort carrier ANS Ignatius, famously had its engine shot out in Midway but returned, retired 1965 and preserved as airworthy), AF-45X-001 (1950, experimental rocket plane, retired 1988), AF-45AJ-2928 (built 1945, last AF-45 in service, retired 1976 and airworthy) Specs: Crew: 1-2 Length: 45 ft Wingspan: 40 ft Empty weight: 8,000 lbs Gross weight: 10,000 lbs Engine: x1 AAI Bedegraine V-12, 3,000 hp (some aircraft were fitted with Merlins) Max speed: 450 mph Cruise speed: 250 mph Range: 600 miles Service ceiling: 45,000 ft Armament: x6 .50 cal machine guns, has 6 hardpoints for bombs, torpedoes, or rockets Number built: 45,000
pl e n (is remaster)
