P-56 Paulistinha

The P‑56 Paulistinha was a light, two‑seat trainer and liaison aircraft built in Brazil by Indústria Aeronáutica Neiva in the early 1950s. Derived from the earlier French Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann and the domestically produced Cessna‑type designs, the Paulistinha first flew in 1949 and entered series production in 1950. Its airframe combined a welded steel tube fuselage with a fabric‑covered wooden wing, giving it a simple yet robust construction that could be maintained in austere conditions. Power was supplied by a 65‑horse‑power Continental flat‑four engine, later upgraded to a 75‑horse‑power Lycoming version for improved climb performance. With a maximum speed of about 170 km/h, a range of 500 km and a service ceiling near 4,000 meters, the aircraft proved ideal for primary flight instruction, aerobatic training, and short‑range utility missions. Over 300 units were delivered to the Brazilian Air Force, civilian flying clubs, and agricultural operators, making the Paulistinha one of the most ubiquitous trainers in South America during the 1950s and 1960s. Its durability, low operating cost, and role in fostering a generation of Brazilian pilots cement its legacy as a cornerstone of the nation’s post‑war aviation development.