Ansaldo A1 airplane kit. Balilla in 1/48 scale - Techmod model. TheAnsaldo A.1 Balilla was a single-engine biplane fighter developed by the Italian company Gio. Ansaldo & C. at the end of World War I. It was the first fighter designed and produced entirely in Italy, conceived to provide the Regia Aeronautica with an aircraft equal to the best foreign models of the time. Main features Type: Single-seat biplane fighter First flight: 1917 Entry into service: 1918 Manufacturer: Gio. Ansaldo & C. Engine: SPA 6A, in-line 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled Power: Approx. 220 hp Top Speed: Approx. 220 km/h Autonomy: About 500 km Operating tangency: About 6,500 m Armament: 2 Vickers 7.7 mm machine guns synchronized with the propeller Operational history TheA.1 Balilla was conceived as the successor to fighter planes used by the Italian Air Force, such as the Nieuport 17 and SPAD S.VII, which were French-made at the time. Its design was inspired by successful models such as the SPAD S.XIII, but with some modifications to improve handling and speed. It entered service in 1918, but its production was limited to about 250, as it arrived too late to have a significant impact on the war. However, it was employed after the war by several countries, including Poland, Latvia, and the Soviet Union. In particular, Poland used it during the Polish-Soviet War (1919-1921), where it proved effective despite some reliability issues. Strengths and weaknesses Superior speed and firepower compared to other Italian fighters of the time. Sturdy structure suitable for aerial combat. Lower maneuverability than other contemporary fighters. Problematic reliability, with frequent mechanical failures. Conclusion TheAnsaldo A.1 Balilla represented an important step forward for the Italian aviation industry, marking the beginning of domestic fighter production. Despite some design flaws and a late introduction, the Balilla remains a milestone in Italian military aviation history.