Lore

Designed in the early 1960s to address the challenge of protecting Portugal’s vast forested areas from wildfires, the IPA I-1 "Cegonha" was developed as a lightweight and agile firefighting aircraft capable of operating from both conventional runways and water surfaces. With a wingspan of 23.3 meters, it was powered by two 10-cylinder radial engines producing around 2000 hp each.

During initial water takeoff tests, IPA engineers faced a significant technical challenge: the original engines, although powerful for land operations, lacked sufficient power to efficiently overcome the drag and resistance of water during takeoff.

Due to the unavailability of more powerful engines or turboprops at the time, the IPA engineering team devised an innovative solution. The engines were mounted at a 15-degree upward angle, directing part of the thrust vertically to help lift the aircraft off the water surface. This unconventional setup did not negatively affect the aircraft’s handling and allowed safe and effective operation in firefighting missions.

Additionally, discreet horizontal stabilizers were added to the hull to improve hydrodynamic control by directing water flow, enhancing stability during taxiing and takeoff.

This aircraft proved operationally successful and was adopted by the Portuguese Air Force, with seven units exported to Spain in 1970. Although partially replaced by the larger and more modern I-1L version from 1995 onwards, the IPA I-1 remains in service in areas where its agility and compact size are advantageous.

Hope you like it!

Activation groups:
AG1: Arm water bomb
FireGuns: Launch water

Obs: Its kinda ugly but it was the first amphibious plane that I've made, I think it turned out pretty well :)