The Kangaroo was a high wing glider designed by the Italian engineer Ermenegildo Preti, from the Polytechnic of Milan, and built by the Lombard Air Force of Cantù in the 1940s.The prototype made its first flight in the spring of 1941, piloted by the test pilot Nello Valzania.Initially intended for civil sports use, it was also used in the military as a trainer in the non-engine flight departments of the Republican National Air Force (ANR) and, after the end of the Second World War, by the new Air Force. [2]Techniqueversions EditKangaroo MM 100028 ModificationIn 1955 the then colonel Adriano Mantelli, with the help of the designer Ermenegildo Preti, decided to convert a Kangaroo into a motor glider. Thus an Ambrosini P.25 engine was mounted, a two-cylinder engine capable of delivering a power equal to 23 HP, placed on the back of the wing in a thrusting configuration which operated a two-blade propeller. On September 21, 1955, this motorized version was tested in flight by Mantelli himself. [3]Palas KangarooIn a second step, the same Kangaroo was again subjected to a substantial modification: after dismantling the twin-cylinder engine, the aircraft was modified transforming it into a medium wing. From a two-seater it was reduced to a single-seater and in the space obtained a Turbomeca Palas turbojet engine with 1 470 N thrust was mounted.The reactor exhaust was directed under the belly of the fuselage and, to ensure greater autonomy, two additional tanks were mounted under the wings, near the fuselage connection. [3]In January 1962 Mantelli successfully tested the modified glider, and in subsequent flights reached the altitude of 10 400 m (non-homologated record) then on 24 September 1964 he set the world height record for C.1B jet (homologated) reaching the altitude of 9 366 m. [3]