Photo courtesy Falco (more images here)

C O B R A   4 0 0

The Cobra 400 - designed by Stelio Frati - first flew on November 16, 1960. It is a two-seater jet powered by one 880lbst Turboméca Marboré II.
Interestingly, its structure was made of wood, covered with a thin aluminum outer skin.

COBRA 480

A four seat derivative, the Cobra 480, was also designed and contruction of the first prototype was stopped in 1969 before first flight.

  COBRA 400 COBRA 480
DIMENSIONS    
Wing Span 28 ft 6 in 8.70 m 29 ft 6 in 9.0 m
Wing area 126.90 sqft 11.70 m2 126.50 sqft 11.75 m2
Aileron area (total) 10.98 sqft 1.02 m2 8.80 sqft 0.818 m2
Flap area (total) 15.50 sqft 1.44 m2 21.2 sqft 1.97 m2
Wing Aspect Ratio 6.5 6.5
Wing section NACA 64(3)218 NACA 64(3)218
Wing dihedral 6 deg 6 deg
Wing incidence 4 deg 4 deg
Overall length 26 ft 7 in 8.10 m 27 ft 3 in 8.30 m
Overall height 9ft 2 in 3.00 m 9ft 10 in 2.79 m
Wheel track 9 ft 0 1/4 in 2.75 m
Wheelbase 10 ft 8 in 3.25 m
WEIGHTS, LOADINGS        
MTOW 3748 lb 1700 kg 4400 lb 2000 kg
Empty weight 2425 lb 1100 kg 2420 lb 1098 kg
Max. wing loading 29.7 lb/sq ft 145 kg/m2 32.1 lb/sq ft 171 kg/m2
Max fuel 113 Imp. Gal 515 l 171 Imp. Gal 780 l
SPEEDS        
Max. speed 310 kts FL130 580 km/h 330 kts FL150 610 km/h
Max. cruise speed 260 kts FL130 480 km/h 275 kts FL150 510 km/h
Best cruise speed (FL180) 205 kts FL130 380 km/h
Stall speed (power off, flaps down) (VSC) 69 kts 129 km/h 69 kts 129 km/h
TAKE-OFF (ISA, SL)        
Ground roll 1900 ft 580 m
LANDING (ISA, SL)        
Ground roll 1400 ft 425 m
CLIMB AND ALTITUDE        
Sea level 2400 ft/min 720 m/min
Service ceiling 28500 ft 8700 m
RANGES        
Range at best cruise 680 nm 1250 km

Source: Jane's All the World Aircraft.


The sole unfinished Cobra 480 prototype is currently located in Le Mans in France. Maybe, one day, she will fly.


This cockpit shot shows the wooden construction.

F.1000


Stelio Frati's recent F.1000, the 21st century Cobra 400.

Last update : 21JAN05