- Yes
- No
On April 22, 1931, American aviator Frank M. Hawks flew a single-seat Texaco aircraft powered by a 450-hp Wright radial engine from London to Centocelle Airport (Rome) in 5.5 hours, covering 1,500 km at an average speed of approximately 274 km/h. The flight was hindered by adverse weather conditions, including rain and headwinds. Hawks followed the route London–Paris–Alps (over Mont Blanc)–Pisa–Rome, navigating at high altitude (7,000 meters) through dense clouds that obscured the Alps. Upon arrival, Italian Air Force officers welcomed him, and after a short break, he took off again at 13:42, performing a spectacular dive as a salute.
Hawks’ achievement had a significant impact in both Europe and the U.S., inspiring several 1930s fighter monoplane designs. Italy’s Regia Aeronautica acquired the fifth and final Travel Air Model R, registered as MM 185. Engineer Cesare Pallavicino, working at Breda, recognized the design’s potential and incorporated its features into the high-performance Breda 27 fighter.
The first prototype (MM 216) had a metal fuselage with a patented sheet-metal skin by engineer Mazzini, a wooden wing (similar to the Travel Air), and a rear-positioned cockpit. It was powered by an Alfa Romeo Mercurius IVA engine with a two-blade wooden propeller. A second prototype (MM 217) flew from Sesto San Giovanni to Montecelio on July 10, 1933, in 90 minutes. Initial reports claimed an average speed of 355 km/h, later corrected to 350 km/h over 500 km. By October 1933, the MM 217 was still undergoing testing at Montecelio, where it exhibited severe vibrations during turns. Bristol Aeroplane Co. technician Roy Fedden recommended replacing the two-blade propeller with a three-blade metal one, a modification implemented by engineers Parano and Panzeri.
The updated model (MM 218) debuted on June 21, 1934, flying 506 km from Sesto San Giovanni to Montecelio in 81 minutes at an average speed of 375 km/h. Despite advanced features like a radio transceiver, electric heating, and an automatic oxygen inhaler, the aircraft did not attract interest from the Regia Aeronautica. Breda responded by designing improvements, including an all-metal wing, a remotely controlled tail machine gun, and a more powerful Mercurius VI engine. However, no records indicate that these modifications were implemented.
On September 12, 1934, the MM 218 received an airworthiness certificate from the RINA in the aerobatic tourism category and was registered as I-BAWA. On September 19, it flew from Sesto San Giovanni to Oslo in six hours (including a stop), averaging 283 km/h. The aircraft underwent evaluation by the Norwegian Air Force for a fighter selection program but was ultimately rejected due to its high landing speed.
The I-BAWA later flew from Sesto San Giovanni to Zurich (240 km) in 45 minutes, crossing the Alps at 4,500 meters, and then to Paris for the 1934 Air Show. British aviation magazines commented on its modern design and similarities to American aircraft but noted its excessive use of bracing wires. Upon returning to Italy, the MM 218 was assigned to the 86th Squadron of the 5th Assault Stormo from June 1936 to December 1937, after which its fate remains unknown.
Breda Ba.27 “Metallico”:
Following modifications to the second prototype, the Ba.27 Metallico version was developed, featuring a more rounded fuselage, an advanced cockpit for improved visibility, and fully metallic wings. This version made its first flight in June 1934. Despite its good performance, the Regia Aeronautica did not place significant orders for this model.
Use in China:
Due to the lack of Italian interest, Breda sought foreign markets. In 1935, the Republic of China ordered 18 Ba.27 Metallico aircraft, of which only 11 were delivered. These planes were assigned to the 3rd Fighter Group of the Chinese Air Force and were used during the Second Sino-Japanese War until 1938.
Notes:
- The Italian Travel Air participated in the 1932 Ala Littorio air show and remained in service at the Guidonia Experimental Center until 1937, when it was decommissioned and scrapped.
- Engineer Pallavicino saw the Travel Air’s potential in an interview with Dr. R. Abate.
- In autumn 1934, the Breda 27 was tested at Kjeller Airfield (Oslo) alongside the Curtiss Hawk II and Armstrong Whitworth Scimitar, while the Gloster Gauntlet was evaluated in England. The Breda was rejected for its high landing speed, and the Norwegians opted for the Scimitar, which ultimately performed poorly.
Specifiations
The specifications of the Breda Ba.27 are as follows:
- Crew: 1
- Length: 7,67 meters
- Wingspan: 10.70 meters
- Height: 3,30meters
- Wing span: 10,8 meters
- Wing area : 18,85 m2
- Max. wing chord: 1,87 meters
- Area of an aileron: 0.92 m2
- Empty weight: 1320 kilograms
- Useful load: 530 kilograms
- Max take-off weight: 1 850 kilograms
- Powerplant: 1 × Alfa Romeo Mercurius IVA, 540 hp, 2250 rpm
- **Propellers:**3 bladed Breda metal propeller diameter of 3 m., with pitch adjustable on ground.
- Maximum speed (at 5000m): 380km/h
- Maximum speed (at sea level): 313km/h
- Minimum speed: 105 km/h
- Cruise speed: 335 km/h
- Range: 750km
- Service ceiling: 9000 meters
- Rate of climb: 670 meter per minute
- Climb to 6000 meters: 10 mins
- Range at cruising speed: (approx.) 2 h. 45 mins.
Fire extinguisher system:
Armament
Armament:
Two 12.7mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns (420 rpg), shooting through the propeller
They are fixed on each side of the fuselage, inside their metal covering.
The aircraft also featured a bomb gear, wich cannot be implemented in warthunder since it’s only avaible for extremely low weight granades, swappable for a photographic camera O.M.I. type A.G.R. 61 for films 13 x 18 cm.
Sources
Breda Ba.27 - Wikipedia
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Ernesto Breda (Società) - Aereo monoplano da caccia ad ala bassa Breda Ba.27, Reparto fotografico Breda (attr.) – Fotografie – Lombardia Beni Culturali
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Chinese Breda Ba.27 Fighter Plane | World War II | Stronghold Nation
Уголок неба ¦ Breda Ba.27
IL VOLO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAbgufGCFHQ
Avialogs: Aviation Library - Ba.27 Metallico
Aerofan41981.