Pulqui

The Pulqui was a series of jet fighter aircraft developed in Argentina by the Fábrica Militar de Aviones (FMA). The project was initiated in the late 1940s under the leadership of engineer Reimar Horten. The goal was to create a modern, indigenous jet fighter for the Argentine Air Force.

The first aircraft, the Pulqui I, made its maiden flight in 1947. It was powered by a Rolls-Royce Nene engine and featured a conventional design. However, development was slow and challenges arose. Production of the Pulqui I was limited, with only a few prototypes built.

The more well-known successor was the Pulqui II, which first flew in 1950. This aircraft incorporated design elements from Reimar Horten's earlier flying wing concepts and was considered a more advanced design for its time. The Pulqui II was powered by a similar Rolls-Royce Nene engine. It demonstrated promising performance and handling characteristics.

Despite achieving several successful test flights and generating considerable interest, the Pulqui program ultimately faced significant hurdles. Financial constraints, political instability in Argentina, and the eventual acquisition of more advanced foreign aircraft led to the cancellation of the Pulqui project. No Pulqui aircraft ever entered full-scale production or saw active service in the Argentine Air Force. The few existing prototypes are considered important historical artifacts of Argentina's aviation industry.

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