Breda Ba.65 A.80 (Torretta Tipo L).

ImportantSimone5 · May 19, 2024, 5:28pm

[Would you like to see this in-game?]

Yes
Maybe
No

0 voters

Breda Ba.65 A.80 (Torretta Tipo L).

History.

The Breda Ba.65 “Nibbio” was a low-wing single-engine assault monoplane produced by the Italian company Società Italiana Ernesto Breda during the second half of the 1930s. The aircraft was designed to replace the previous Breda Ba.64. The new aircraft, called Ba.65, maintained the same general characteristics of its predecessor, even if it differed in its armament and engine, as well as in other minor details. The prototype was powered by an Isotta Fraschini K.14 engine, a licensed version of a French engine, and first flew in September 1935. The aircraft made a good impression on the inspectors, and a batch of 81 was ordered specimens. Starting from the 82nd example, the planes were equipped with a 1,000 hp Fiat A.80 RC.41 engine, which was much more powerful than the I.F. K.14 but which on the other hand was less reliable than the Isotta Fraschini engine. Several of these examples were equipped with a Type L arch turret to allow the aircraft to defend itself from attacks by enemy fighters. Unfortunately, almost all of these specimens were lost during the war on the African front, while a few others were sold abroad or given as gifts to nations allied with Italy (such as Spain).

Armaments and propulsion.

The aircraft was armed with a powerful offensive armament, consisting of 2 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns and 2 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns. Furthermore, the aircraft was equipped with a Type L bow turret fitted with a 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun attached. The drop armament remained the same as a classic Ba.65, and beyond that there were no differences in armament.
The plane was powered by an 18-cylinder Fiat A.80 RC.41 “Nembo” engine with 1,000 hp, the same engines as the Fiat B.R.20. This engine allowed a higher speed at the expense of its performance.

Specifications.

Spoiler

Length: 9.889m
Wingspan: 11.9 m
Wing surface area: 23.50 m²
Maximum height: 3.95 m
Maximum weight: 4.3 tons
Maximum speed: 430 km/h
Engine: 1x Isotta-Fraschini K.14C
Armament: 3x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT, 2x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT and up to 400 kg of bombs

Pictures and drawnings.

Spoiler