NH 500

The NH 500 was a light utility aircraft developed in the early 1930s by the Italian firm Breda‑Nardi, a joint venture between Società Italiana Ernesto Breda and the Nardi brothers. Designed as a versatile, low‑cost platform for both civil and military training, the NH 500 first flew on 12 April 1932 from the Campo de' Fiori airfield near Milan. Its high‑wing monoplane layout incorporated a wooden frame covered with fabric, while a modest 150 hp Alfa Romeo radial engine delivered reliable performance. The aircraft featured a fixed, split‑type landing gear, dual controls, and a spacious cabin that could accommodate a pilot, an instructor, and up to two passengers or equipment.

Only 68 units were built before production ceased in 1936, but the type quickly earned a reputation for ruggedness and forgiving handling, making it popular with aero‑clubs and the Regia Aeronautica’s training schools. The NH 500’s straightforward construction influenced later Italian trainers such as the Caproni Ca 603, and it demonstrated the benefits of standardised, low‑maintenance aircraft for widespread pilot instruction. Its legacy endures as a symbol of interwar Italian aviation innovation and the collaborative spirit of the Breda‑Nardi partnership.