AB.102

The Agusta AB.102 was a compact, single‑engine liaison and training aircraft produced by the Italian manufacturer Agusta in the early 1950s. Conceived to replace the aging fleet of wartime trainers, the AB.102 first flew on 12 March 1952 and entered limited service with the Italian Air Force in 1954. Its airframe combined a low‑wing monoplane layout with a semi‑monocoque fuselage, offering a sturdy yet lightweight structure that could withstand the rigors of primary instruction and short‑field operations. Powered by a 260 hp Lycoming O‑540‑D5A engine, the aircraft achieved a maximum speed of 210 km/h, a service ceiling of 5,500 m and a range of 870 km, making it suitable for both aerobatic training and liaison duties. The cockpit featured dual controls and a bubble canopy that provided excellent visibility, while a simple fixed‑gear undercarriage reduced maintenance costs. Only 38 units were built, but the AB.102 proved influential in shaping Agusta’s later light‑aircraft designs, such as the A.115 and the A.119, and demonstrated the company’s capability to transition from helicopter production to fixed‑wing aeronautics. Its brief operational life underscored the post‑war shift toward more modern, jet‑powered trainers, yet the AB.102 remains a valued example of Italian post‑war ingenuity.