Fiat BR.20

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fiat BR.20
BR.20M 242 Squadriglia
Fiat BR.20M of the 242nd Squadriglia
Type: bomber
Design country:

Italy 1861Kingdom of Italy (1861-1946) Italy

Manufacturer:

Fiat

First flight:

February 10, 1936

Commissioning:

September 1936

Number of pieces:

530-600

The Italian Fiat BR.20 "Cicogna" (Eng. "Storch") was a medium-sized twin-engined bomber aircraft that was designed as a cantilever low - wing aircraft with a partially retractable landing gear and double tail unit. The fuselage consisted of welded steel tubing and the front and middle sections were planked with duralumin sheet metal; the back of the torso was covered with fabric.

history

The prototype of the Fiat BR.20 - named after the designer Celestino Rosatelli (BR = Bombardamento Rosatelli) flew for the first time on February 10, 1936 and immediately made a good impression. The series models received 1000 hp Fiat A.80 RC41 engines and numerous detail improvements.

The BR.20A version was specially built as a civil version for participation in the then prestigious air races, but it was not very successful. 85 copies of the military version were sold to Japan , among others , where they were used by the aviation forces of the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War , but did not prove themselves particularly well and were later replaced by Mitsubishi Ki-21 bombers.

After the first BR.20 were delivered to the 13th Stormo Bombardamento Terrestre in September 1936, the Italians used the model in the Spanish Civil War under the Aviazione Legionaria . This was followed by the BR.20M (M = Modificato) version with an extended fuselage, modified nose and reinforced wings, of which 60 were available in the summer of 1940. Numerous older models were also converted to this version.

BR.20 also took part in the Battle of Britain - the ports of Harwich and Ramsgate as well as the industry in Ipswich were attacked from Belgium by the Corpo Aero Italiano .

However, the main area of ​​application remained the Mediterranean region in North Africa, Greece and Yugoslavia . However, it soon became apparent that the aircraft was no longer competitive and was still suitable for coastal protection or training. From 1942 onwards it was replaced by successor models. In the further course of the war, the BR.20 was mainly used for reconnaissance missions in Yugoslavia. By 1943, most of the specimens were already assigned to the bomber schools.

The BR.20bis, tested from 1940, was a completely new design with more powerful 1250 HP FIAT A.82 RC32 engines, more powerful defensive armament and slightly larger dimensions. A second prototype did not fly until 1942. However, only a dozen of these planes were probably used.

Military users

Aeronautica Regia
Aeronautica Cobelligerante Italiana
Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana

Technical data Fiat BR.20

Parameter Data
length 16.10 m
span 21.56 m
height 4.30 m
Total wing area 74.22 m²
Preparation mass 6400 kg
Max. Takeoff mass 9900 kg
Top speed 432 km / h at an altitude of 5000 m
Service ceiling 9000 m
Max. Range 3000 km
Engines two 18-cylinder double radial engines Fiat A.80 RC 41 with 1,000 HP (735 kW) each
Armament one 12.7 mm machine gun , two 7.7 mm machine guns
Bomb load up to 1600 kg

Technical data Fiat BR.20bis

Parameter Data
Max. Takeoff mass 11,500 kg
Top speed 460 km / h
Service ceiling 9200 m
Engines two double radial engines Fiat A.82 RC 42 each with 1,250 PS (919 kW)

See also

literature

  • Kenneth Munson: Bombers, Patrol and Transport Aircraft 1939–45. Orell Füssli Verlag, Zurich, 3rd edition 1977

Web links

Commons : Fiat BR.20  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. a b cf. Kenneth Munson: Bombers, Patrol and Transport Aircraft 1939–45. Orell Füssli Verlag, Zurich, 3rd edition 1977, p. 140.
  2. Andersson 2008, p. 266.
  3. Donald 1997, p. 407-408.
  4. Fiat BR.20. In: fav-club.com . Retrieved March 28, 2012 (Spanish).