Fábrica Argentina de Aviones
I.Ae. 25 Mañque
The I.Ae. 25 Mañque was a medium‑weight, twin‑engine transport aircraft designed and built by the Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) in the late 1950s. Conceived to replace aging piston‑powered transports in the Argentine Air Force, the Mañque first flew on 12 September 1959 and entered service in 1961. Its airframe combined a high‑mounted cantilever wing with a semi‑monocoque fuselage of duraluminium, giving a robust yet lightweight structure. Powered by two Ivoprop‑rated Lycoming GSO‑480 radial engines delivering 900 hp each, the aircraft could cruise at 310 km/h with a range of 2,200 km while carrying up to 12 troops or 2 t of cargo. A distinctive feature was its rear clamshell door, enabling rapid loading of vehicles and supplies on unprepared strips. The Mañque’s simple systems, rugged landing gear and short‑field performance made it ideal for operations in the Andes and the Pampas, where runway infrastructure was limited. Although only 18 units were produced, the type demonstrated Argentina’s growing capacity for indigenous design and manufacturing, influencing later FAdeA projects such as the C‑115 “Lynx” and establishing a foundation for the country’s modern aerospace industry.
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 1
- First Flight
- 1945