Fiat’s Giuseppe Gabrielli produced his proposals for the G.50 single seat monoplane prototype in 1936, at which time it was the most modern fighter design in Italy. Although a contemporary of the Spitfire and Hurricane, it remained to the end extremely lightly armed. The Freccia (arrow) was the first all-metal monoplane with a retractable undercarriage to be evaluated by the Italian air force; the prototype flew for the first time on February 26, 1937, and proved light to handle, with a high degree of manoeuvrability, but somewhat lacking in both engine and fire power. Its powerplant was the 840 hp Fiat A.74 RC 38 14-cylinder two row radial, fitted with a super¬charger and driving a Fiat built Hamilton three blade variable pitch metal propeller. The armament comprised two 12.7 mm (0.5in) Breda SAFAT machine guns mounted forward of the cockpit in the top of the fuselage, synchronized to fire through the propeller arc. The 150 rounds for each gun could be fired in single shots or in salvo.
Production was undertaken both by Fiat and CMASA, a subsidiary, and the first 12 were delivered to the Italian expeditionary forces in Spain in January 1939 towards the end of the civil war. Although too late to give a true indication of their potential under battle conditions, it was decided to continue with a further order for 200 aircraft. The first 45 production G.50s had an enclosed cockpit but Italian pilots preferred the open variety and after testing several designs, an open canopy with hinged, transparent side flaps was adopted as standard. Upon Italy’s entry into the Second World War in June 1940, a total of 118 G.50s were in service: 97 with operational units and the other 21 awaiting either delivery or repair. The 51o Stormo CT at Ciampino was composed entirely of G.50s, and G.50s in company with Fiat C.R.32s made up the 52o Stormo in Tuscany; they were used mainly as escorts during the early days of the war. Fiat G.50s also formed part of the 56o Stormo, based at Maldegern in Belgium, to assist the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, but they achieved no great success in that theatre and most had been returned to Italy by April 1941. Better results were achieved by the 35 G.50s ordered by Finland in late 1939, although deliveries were initially sporadic due to German interference. How¬ever, after the start of the so called ‘continu¬ation war’ in Finland in June 1941, the Finnish G.50s gave excellent service until withdrawn from the front line in May 1944. A two seat trainer version, also manufactured by CMASA, was pro¬duced. Designated G.50B, it had a second cockpit with dual controls added and the armament installation removed. One hundred and eight were produced, and gave satisfac¬tory service at Regia Aeronautica training units. The initial production series of 246 aircraft were followed by 421 examples of the G.50bis with greater fuel capacity, improved radio and a modified wing. The Regia Aeronautica, meanwhile, utilized its G.50s in Greece, the Balkans, the Mediterranean and North Africa before they began to be replaced by the superior G.50bis The prototype of this was flown for the first time on September 9, 1940, and differed from the original aircraft in having improved fuse¬lage contours, increased fuel capacity, more modern radio equipment, an enlarged rudder, and a modified canopy and armour protection for the pilot. A total of 421 G.50bis were built, and served mainly in North Africa (Libya) from late 1940 until December 1941. Nine were supplied to the Croatian air force. Some G.50bis were fitted with underwing racks at this time, to carry small bombs. The basic G.50B airframe formed the basis of the G.50bis/A two-seat carrierborne fighter with four 12.7-mm (0.5-in) machine-guns. The G.50bis A was an enlarged two seat fighter bomber with better armament and a bigger bombload, plus an arrester hook for service aboard the planned aircraft carriers Aquila and Sparviero. It flew for the first time on October 3, 1942, but after Italy’s surrender all further development ceased and none was produced. This latter was flown only in prototype form, and other prototypes (G.50ter, G.50V, G.51 and G.52) were developed round imported German engines or their Italian licence-built versions. The basic type was also exported to Croatia and Finland.
FIAT G. 50 Freccia Length : 25.558 ft / 7.79 m Height: 9.711 ft / 2.96 m Wingspan : 35.958 ft / 10.96 m Wing area : 195.367 sq.ft / 18.15 sq.m Max take off weight : 5325.1 lb / 2415.0 kg Weight empty : 4354.9 lb / 1975.0 kg Max. speed : 255 kts / 472 km/h Service ceiling : 32267 ft / 9835 m Wing load : 27.27 lb/sq.ft / 133.0 kg/sq.m Range : 362 nm / 670 km Engine : Fiat A. 74 RC.38, 828 hp Crew : 1 Armament : 2x MG 12,7mm Breda-SAFAT
G-50bis Engine: l x Fiat A.74 RC 38, 626kW (840 hp). Span: 10.9m (36 ft 0.75in). Length: 7.8m (25ft7in). Normal T/O weight: 2522 kg (5,560 lb). Max speed: 293 mph at 14,765ft. Operational range: 420 miles. Armament: 2 x 12.7-mm (0.5-in) mg plus 300 kg (661 lb) of bombs
The Fiat G.46 was developed by Giuseppe Gabrielli as a military trainer in Italy shortly after World War II, the all metal G.46 was a conventional, low-wing monoplane with tailwheel undercarriage, the main units of which retracted inwards. The pilot and instructor sat in tandem under a long canopy hinging to the right.
The first prototype G.46 1, powered by a 205 hp (153 kW) Alfa Romeo 115-Ibis engine driving a two blade constant speed propeller, made its maiden flight on 25 June 1947.
Testing revealed excellent flying characteristics and suitability for aerobatics, and the type was ordered into production.
Production versions were the G.46 2 with a 205 hp de Havilland Gipsy Six or 250 hp Gipsy Queen 30, and the 3, 4 and 5 with 225 hp Alfa 115ter.
223 were built: The Italian Air Force operated 141 Fiat G.46 from 1949 until 1960; the Argentine Air Force operated 70 Fiat G.46; the Syrian Air Force operated 12 G-46Bs; and the Austrian Air Force operated five former Italian Air Force G-46Bs.
G.46-4A single-seater with Alfa Romeo 115ter engine for the Italian Air Force, 35 built.
Specifications :
G.46 2 Maximum speed: 325 km/h (200 mph) Gross weight: 1430 kg (3150 lb)
G.46-4B Engine1 × Alfa Romeo 115-1ter, 168 kW (225 hp) Length: 8.48 m (27 ft 10 in) Wingspan: 10.40 m (34 ft 1¼ in) Height: 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in) Wing area: 16 m2 (173 ft2) Empty weight: 1,110 kg (2,442 lb) Gross weight: 1,410 kg (3,102 lb) Maximum speed: 311 km/h (194 mph) Cruising speed: 263 km/h (164 mph) Range: 900 km (560 miles) Service ceiling: 5,300 m (17,400 ft) Rate of climb: 5.8 m/s (1,150 ft/min) Crew: 2, pilot and instructor
The C.R.42 Falco (Falcon), designed by Celestino Rosatelli, was the last in the family, begun in 1923 with the C.R.20 and 30 series and followed by the C.R.33, 40 and 41 prototypes, to become one of these succes¬ses. It had the distinction of being the last fighter biplane manufactured by any of World War Two’s combatants. It was an unequal span biplane, with an oval section fuselage. Employing the same Warren truss system of interplane struts as the 1933 CR.32, from which it was developed, Celestino Rosatelli’s CR.42 was powered by a 626kW Fiat A74 R1C 38 radial and had a top speed of 441km/h. The fixed two leg undercarriage was fitted with oleo pneumatic shock absorbers and enclosed in streamlined fairings. The tailwheel was retractable on the prototype, but fixed on production aircraft. The CR42 first flew on May 23,1938 and, powered by an 840 hp Fiat A74R.IC. 38 two row radial engine, the prototype proved to be highly manoeuvrable, with a rapid rate of climb and a maximum speed of 441 km/h (274 mph).
It was put into production the same year deliveries to the Regia Aeronautica commenced in April 1939, and when Italy entered the war on June 10, 1940, a total of some 330 were in front line service with Stormi or Gruppi of the Regia Aeronautica in Italy and in North and East Africa. Armament comprised one 7.7 mm (0.303 in) and one 12.7 mm (0.54in) Breda¬SAFAT machine gun, which both fired through the disc of the Fiat 3D41 propeller, and a rounds counter was fitted in the instru¬ment panel. On later production models, the 7.7 mm (0.303 in) gun was replaced by another of 12.7 mm (0.5 in) calibre. For some inexplicable reason, radio equipment was not installed. Italian C.R.42s drew their first blood on June 13, 1940, attacking air bases at Fayence and Hyeres in southern France; they also escorted Fiat B.R.20s on bombing missions over Toulon harbour during the battle for France. They met opposition from French Dewoitine D 520s and Bloch 152s, but losses were minimal and during the remainder of the campaign they were also used on escort duties with S.M.79 bombers over the Mediterranean and North Africa. On the strength of the achievement in this theatre, the Italian government decided on a closer collaboration with the Luftwaffe, and created the Corpo Aereo Italiano (Italian Air Corps) to assist mainly in the Battle of Britain. Fifty C.R.42s and 48 Fiat G.50s, together with other Italian fighter, bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, formed the con¬tingent. They were sent to Ursel and Maldeghem in Belgium. Unfortunately, the speedier German Bf 109s found it a hard task to keep formation with the biplanes, and the latter’s lack of radio also hampered activities. Nevertheless, it was decided to send the Falcos into combat against Hurricanes and Spitfires. Their first raid was on Harwich on November 11, 1940. They also participated in action off the Kent coast a few days later, and substantial victory claims were made by the Italians, although RAF records give a different picture. Their inefficiency against superior aircraft, together with the Italian need for more air power in the Mediterranean, instigated the return of the Falcos to Italy in January 1941. Falcos served extensively in Libya during 1940 41 and were used for attacks on Malta in the same period, as well as acting as escorts to bombers attacking Allied shipping in the Mediterranean. In October 1940, when Greece entered the war, the three squadrons of C.R.42s (together with other Italian aircraft) sent to the area showed marked superiority over the somewhat motley Greek air arm, which was soon defeated. Falco fighter units then combined with Luftwaffe forces to take the island of Crete, and remained in the Aegean theatre until they were replaced by Fiat G.50s in November 1941. After the Italian conquest of Ethiopia, bases there had, initially, little or no trouble in getting new C.R.42s or spares. However, after June 1941, increased Allied activity in North Africa, bad weather conditions and lack of radio equipment in the aircraft, all took their toll. By November 1941, all Falcos from the region had been either evacuated or destroyed. In the early stages of the desert campaigns in North Africa, during mid 1940 to 1941, C.R.42s were used extensively as fighters, until the advent of more advanced opposition in the form of Hurricanes and Tomahawks. They could not hope to compete against such types and were put to use in the ground attack role. Although improvements and modifications had been made to the original design the C.R.42bis had two additional 12.7 mm (0.5in) guns in underwing fairings (ordered by Sweden as the J 11). Parts of North Africa still covered by the ubiquitous little biplanes included Cyrenaica, where they were fitted with underwing racks for two 100 kg (220 lb) bombs the C.R.42AS (Africa Settentrionale: North Africa) was fitted with a special oil and air sand filter to cope with desert conditions, and a few were armed with two 20 mm (0.79¬in) cannon under the lower wings. As fighter bombers, Falcos also participated in raids around Tobruk, Alexandria and Mersa Matruh and in the siege of Tripoli. Surviving aircraft from this last battle (some 82 Falcos) went back to Italy and were used in attacks on Allied convoys in the Mediterreanean. They were phased out of this duty in favour of more modern types. In October 1941, a C.R.42CN night fighter unit was formed in Sicily and, although it did not see a great deal of active service there, it was reasonably effective later, in 1942 43, against RAF bombers over the industrial areas of northern Italy. In their 1941 battles against the advancing British and their allies in East Africa, the numbers of Italian fighter planes equipped to ward off bombing raids was melting away day by day. The dense sea and land blockade surrounding Italian East Africa made it impossible for the Italians to supply their troops with fresh aircraft from Italy. Soon they had no fighters left except for a dozen Fiat CR.42 Falco biplanes which although they had outstanding flight characteristics were powerless against superior numbers oft the British Gladiator fighters. In this desperate situation they seized on an inspiration of Colonel Galante, and transported the needed fighter planes in dissembled pieces inside the fuselage of Savoia-Marchetti SM.82 Canguro (Kangaroo) transport planes whose range made it possible for them to ferry their cargo to East Africa from Libya. By the Spring of 1941, over 50 Falco fighters had landed in Ethiopia by this method.
Fiat CR.42 inside a Savoia Marchetti SM.82 on the way to East Africa
When used for night attacks, the C.R.42CN (Caccia Notturna) limited night-fighter conversion was equipped with radio and was also fitted with twin underwing searchlights and exhaust flame dampers. One Falco, designated C.R.42B, had a 1010 hp Daimler¬Benz DB 601 inverted V type engine instal¬led, with which it was hoped the aircraft would achieve a speed of 520 km/h (323 mph), but this did not leave the experimental stage. Neither did the CMASA built IC.R.42 (I = Idrovolante: seaplane), which was fitted with twin floats and was much heavier than the landplane, though speed loss from the increased weight was negligible. After the Italian Armistice, 2,000 examples of the slightly modified CR.42LW were ordered from Aeronautica d’Italia (based in Northern Italy) for the Luftwaffe. Intended for nocturnal attack missions, the CR.42LW served with the Nachtschlactgruppen, the Luftwaffe receiving 112 of some 150 completed. These aircraft were used by the Luftwaffe during 1943 44, being flown against the Allies from bases in Austria, Italy and Yugoslavia. The last operations flown by CR.42s took place in May 1945.
CR.42 with smoke screen fitment
Experimental versions included the CR.42DB, which was tested in prototype form with a 753-kW (1,010-hp) Daimler Benz DB 601A engine for a speed of 323 mph, and the ICR.42 (alias CR.42 Idro) twin float fighter.
CR.42DB
The CR.42DB, flown in March 1941, had a 1175 hp Daimler-Benz DB 601E engine and attained a max speed of 323 mph / 20 kph, and climbed to 9840 ft / 3000 m in 3.34 minutes.
Production totalled at least 1,780, and variants included the initial CR.42 Falco (falcon) with one 12.7-mm (0.5-in) and one 7.7-mm (0.303-in) machine-guns for Belgian, Hungarian and Italian orders, and the CR.42ter version of the CR.42bis with two additional 12.7-mm (0.5-in) machine-guns. In 1939, 34 were ordered by the Belgian air force; delivered from January 1940 (although in the event received only 25). Fifty-two were exported to Hungary, appearing on the Eastern Front from mid 1941; and in 1940 41 the Swedish air force took delivery of 72 aircraft. Designated J11, they remained in service until 1945, after which a few remained in civil use.
Production of the type ceased in late 1942 when a total of 1781 had been built. Only 113 remained when the Italians surrendered in September 1943, of which 64 were still ser¬viceable. Most of these were seized by the Luftwaffe or employed with the Repubblica Sociale Italiana, Mussolini’s short lived pup¬pet regime, based at Salo, northern Italy; but a few escaped to join the Italian co-¬belligerent air force that fought on the Allied side, and continued with that Italian air arm until 1945, when they were finally declared obsolete. Some still remained, as modified two seat trainers, until as late as 1950.
FIAT CR 42 Falco Length : 27 ft 2 in / 8.27 m Height: 11 ft 9 in / 3.59 m Wingspan : 31 ft 10 in / 9.7 m Wing area : 241.114 sq.ft / 22.4 sq.m Max take off weight : 5060.5 lb / 2295.0 kg Weight empty : 3929.3 lb / 1782.0 kg Max. speed : 227 kts / 420 km/h Service ceiling : 33465 ft / 10200 m Wing load : 20.91 lb/sq.ft / 102.0 kg/sq.m Range : 418 nm / 775 km Engine : Fiat A. 74 R1C.38, 828 hp / 626kW Crew : 1 Armament : 2x MG 12,7mm Breda-SAFAT
CR.42 Falco Engine: Fiat A.74 R1C.38, 840 hp. Prop: three bladed wooden. Span: 31ft 10in. Length: 27ft 1.5in. Height: 11ft 9.25in. Wing area: 241.12sq.ft. Empty wt: 3,790 lb. Loaded wt: 5,070 lb. Max speed: 267 mph. Service ceiling: 34,450ft. Initial climb: 2,400ft/min. Endurance: 4hr. Armament: 3 x 12.7mm and one 7.7mm machine gun
CR.42AS Falco Engine: l x Fiat A.74 RC 38, 626kW (840 hp). Span: 9.70m (31 ft 9.75in) Length: 8.26m (27 ft 1 in) Armament: 2 x 12.7-mm (0.5-in) mg plus 200 kg (441 lb) bombs Normal T/O weight: 2295 kg (5,060 lb). Max speed: 280 mph at 17,485ft. Operational range: 480 miles.
CR.42B Engine: Daimler-Benz DB 601, 753-kW (1,010-hp). Max speed: 323 mph.
Italy’s most important fighter of the late 1930s, the CR32 biplane was first flown in August 1933 as a development of the CR30 using the same type of metal/fabric-covered all-metal structure and Warren-type interplane bracing but with smaller overall dimensions plus improved performance and agility, and Fiat A 30 RA engine.
First flown on 28 April 1933, the initial production series of 24 was supplied to China. Between March 1934 and February 1936, 282 CR.32s were delivered to the Regia Aeronautica and this fighter first saw active service in the Spanish Civil War with the Aviacion del Tercio in August 1936.
The CR.32 was numerically and operationally the most important fighter fielded by the Nationalists and their Italian allies in the Spanish Civil War, and the first 12 examples reached Nationalist units in Morocco as early as August 1936. A total of 377 of this type were sent to Spain, where they equipped the Nationalists’ 2-G-3 and 3-G-3 fighter units as well as five Italian gruppi. The CR.32 was faster in level flight and in the dive than the 1-15, and was also better armed when there arrived the CR.32bis and CR.32ter with heavier machine-guns; and by comparison with the -16 the CR.32 was more agile and more heavily armed. By a judicious use of tactics, therefore, Nationalist and Italian pilots were generally able to prevail over the Republican fighters.
The initial CR.32 delivered in 1935 had the 447-kW (600-hp) Fiat A.30 RAbis engine and two 7.7-mm (0.303-in) machine-guns, and these 350 aircraft were followed by 283 examples of the CR.32bis close-support version.
The CR.32bis had the improved 600 hp A 30 Rabis engine, two 12.7 mm and two 7.7-mm (0.303-in) machine-guns
Forty-five similar examples were supplied to Austria and 52 to Hungary (who eventually acquired 38 from Austria).
Next came 150 examples of an improved CR32, the CR.32ter for the Regia Aeronautica in July-December 1937, with revised landing gear and improved equipment, and the final aircraft here 337 CR.32quater fighters essentially similar to the CR.32ter but with a lightened structure and updated equipment.
CR.32quarer
Examples similar to the V were purchased by Paraguay (5) and Venezuela (9).
It was used in the early months of World War II in Greece and East Africa.
Hispano Aviacion SA manufactured over 100 Fiat CR. 32quater biplane fighter as the HA-132-1 Chirri between 1938- 1942. Forty of these later converted as two-seters.
Production of the CR.32 totalled 1211 aircraft.
FIAT CR 32 Chirri Engine: FIAT A.30 RAbis, 592 hp / 440kW Length: 24.442 ft / 7.45 m Height: 8.629 ft / 2.63 m Wingspan upper: 31.168 ft / 9.5 m Wingspan lower: 6.2 m / 20 ft 4 in Wing area: 237.884 sqft / 22.100 sq.m Max take off weight: 4079.3 lb / 1850.0 kg Weight empty: 2921.6 lb / 1325.0 kg Max. speed: 202 kts / 375 km/h / 233 mph Service ceiling: 28871 ft / 8800 m Wing loading: 17.22 lb/sq.ft / 84.0 kg/sq.m Range: 367 nm / 680 km Crew: 1 Armament: 2x MG 7,7mm Breda-SAFAT
CR.32bis Engine: l x Fiat A.30 RAbis, 447 kW (600 hp). Span: 9.50m (3lft 2.25in). Length: 7.47m (24ft 6in) Normal T/O weight: 1975 kg (14,350 lb). Max speed: 224 mph at 9,845 ft. Operational range: 466 miles. Armament: 2 x 12.7-mm (0.5-in) and two 7.7-mm (0.303-in) mg plus 100 kg (220 lb) of bombs
CR.32ter Engine: l x Fiat A.30 RA bis, 447kW (600 hp). Span: 9.50m (31ft 2in). Length: 7.45m (24ft 5.25 in). Height: 2.63m / 8 ft 7.5 in Wing area: 22.10 sq.m / 237.88 sq.ft Empty weight: 3205 lb / 1454 kg Max T/O weight: 1915kg (4,222 lb). Max speed: 295 mph / 330 kph at SL / 220 mph at 9840 ft. / 3000 m Time to 3280ft / 1000m: 1.58min Operational range: 485 m / 780 km at 196 mph / 315 kph Armament: 2 x 12.7-mm (0.5-in) mg plus bombs
Designed by Celestino Rosatelli as a twin-engined multi-seat fighter and attack monoplane, ten built, later being used as transports. The CR.25 was operated on Boccadifalco airfield, Palermo, Sicily. Four machine guns (12,7 mm) were planned before production but never mounted because of the weight on the nose. The final form had 2 x 12,7 in the nose plus 1 x 12,7 on a turret.
Engine: 2 x FIAT A.74 R.C.38, 620kW Max take-off weight: 6180 kg / 13625 lb Empty weight: 3900 kg / 8598 lb Wingspan: 16.0 m / 52 ft 6 in Length: 13.6 m / 44 ft 7 in Height: 3.4 m / 11 ft 2 in Wing area: 39.2 sq.m / 421.94 sq ft Max. Speed: 490 km/h / 304 mph Cruise speed: 390 km/h / 242 mph Ceiling: 8100-9800 m / 26600 – 32150 ft Range w/max.fuel: 2100 km / 1305 miles Range w/max.payload: 1500 km / 932 miles Armament: 4 x 7.7mm machine-guns, 1 x 12.7mm machine-guns, 500kg of bombs Crew: 3
Engine: 1 x FIAT A.20, 295kW Max take-off weight: 1400 kg / 3086 lb Empty weight: 940 kg / 2072 lb Wingspan: 9.8 m / 32 ft 2 in Length: 6.6 m / 21 ft 8 in Height: 2.7 m / 8 ft 10 in Wing area: 25.8 sq.m / 277.71 sq ft Max. Speed: 280 km/h / 174 mph Ceiling: 7900 m / 25900 ft Range w/max.fuel: 600 km / 373 miles Armament: 4 machine-guns Crew: 1
Two prototypes of the Fiat CR.1 biplane fighter, designed by Celestino Rosatelli, were flown in 1923, and the type was selected for large- scale production for the newly formed Regia Aeronautica. First deliveries of an eventual 240 production aircraft, designated CR.1, began in 1925. During the 1930s many Italian CR.1s were given more powerful Isotta Fraschini engines, and these were to continue in service until 1937. Nine aircraft were exported to Latvia. The Fiat CR.2, CR.5 and CR. 10 were variants of the basic aircraft fitted with different engines, usually on an experimental basis.
Fiat CR.1 Engine: 1 x 300hp Hispano-Suiza 42 8-cylinder Take-off weight: 1154 kg / 2544 lb Wingspan: 8.95 m / 29 ft 4 in Length: 6.16 m / 20 ft 3 in Height: 2.40 m / 7 ft 10 in Max. Speed: 272 km/h / 169 mph Ceiling: 7450 m / 24450 ft Armament: 2 x 7.7mm machine guns
On receiving a joint requirement from the air force and the navy, CMASA, a FIAT subsidiary, developed the RS.14 a floatplane for maritime reconnaissance. 152 examples were produced (including the prototypes), and were used with great success. The aircraft could also be converted for attack missions by fitting a canoe-shaped belly pod able to carry to 400 kg of bombs.
In the summer of 1943 a land-based version with retractable landing gear and 6 12,7 mm machine-guns and a 37 mm cannon was produced and designated A.S. 14. 184 plus 2 prototypes were built.
Fiat R.S. 14 Engines: 2 Fiat A.74 RC.38, 649 kW(882 hp) Empty weight: 5470 kg Takeoff weight: 8470 kg Wingspan: 19,54 m Lenght: 14,10 m Height: 5,63 m Wing Area: 50,00 square metres Max speed: 390 km/h Ceiling: 6300 m Range: 2500 km Climb to 5000 m: 15 minutes Armament: 1×12,7 mm machine-gun in the dorsal turret; one 7,7 machine-gun on each side; 400kg of bombs in a ventral canoe-shaped pod . Crew: 5
A medium bomber, the Fiat BR.20 Cicogna (stork) series was nearing obsolescence by the outbreak of World War II. Designed by Ingeniere Celestino Rosatelli, and owing much of its design to the Fiat APR.2 commercial transport, the Fiat B.R.20 prototype flew first on 10 February 1936.
Powered by two 745kW Fiat A.80 RC.41 radial engines, the B.R.20 possessed a maximum speed of 430km/h at 4000m, and was armed with two 7.7mm and one 12.7mm machine-guns. The first unit of the Regia Aeronautica to receive B.R.20s was the 13º Stormo BT stationed at Lonate Pozzolo: the 7º Stormo BT, also at Lonate, received Fiat B.R.20s in February 1937. Elements of the 7º and 13º Stormi BT were despatched to Spain in May 1937 for combat experience, while other B.R.20s were exported to Japan, and saw service with indifferent results in China and Manchuria as the JAAF’s Army Type 1 Model 100 Heavy bomber. Modified nose contours, increased armour protection and revised armament featured in the B.R.20M, of which 264 were produced.
When Italy declared war on 10 June 1940 the Regia Aeronautica had 162 Fiat B.R.20s and B.R.20Ms in commission with the 7º, 13º, 18º and 43º Stormi BT. The first bombing mission was made on 13 June when 19 B.R.20Ms of the 13º Stormo BT attacked installations at Hyeres and Fayence in southern France. A detachment of 80 B.R.20MS of the 13º and 43º Stormi BT were sent to the Belgian airfields of Chieveres and Melsbroeck in late September 1940 to assist the Luftwaffe in its bombing campaign against England. As part of the Corpo Aereo Italiano the B.R.20Ms suffered losses as a result of crew failings and fighter attacks. The campaign in Greece saw the 116º Gruppo (37º Stormo) in action from bases in Albania, followed by action over Crete, and on a day and night attacks against Malta. In the USSR B.R.20MS of the 38º and 116º Squadriglie operated from August 1942 in the southern sector.
Fifteen of the improved B.R.20bis model were produced. These were powered by two 932kW Fiat A.82 RC.42S engines, had additional 7.7mm machine-guns and a power-operated dorsal turret. Early in 1943 the B.R.20M bomber had been withdrawn from active service with the Regia Aeronautica, units being re-equipped either with CANT Z.1007s or with Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79S. Production totalled 602 of all marks.
In 1938 the JAAF purchased 80 BR.20 bombers for use in China, designated Type-I Italian Type. Western sources originally called it ‘Mikado’. It appeared in code lists as ‘Ruth’.
JAAF BR.20
FIAT BR. 20 Cicogna Engine: 2 x FIAT A. 80 RC.41, 986 hp / 745kW Length: 53 ft 2 in / 16.2 m Height: 14.108 ft / 4.3 m Wingspan: 70 ft 10 in / 21.56 m Wing area: 796.536 sqft / 74.0 sq.m Max take off weight: 21829.5 lb / 9900.0 kg Weight empty: 14112.0 lb / 6400.0 kg Max. speed: 267 mph / 233 kts / 432 km/h at 4000m Cruise speed: 340 km/h / 211 mph Service ceiling: 29528 ft / 9000 m Wing loading: 27.47 lb/sq.ft / 134.0 kg/sq.m Range w/max.fuel: 1620 nm / 3000 km Armament: 1x MG 12,7mm, 2x MG 7,7mm, 1600kg Bomb. Crew: 4-5
