Fiat Type Yi / Type I Model 100 Heavy Bomber (Japanese B.R.20)

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Fiat Type Yi/Type I Model 100 Heavy Bomber (イ式重爆撃機/イ式100型重爆撃機)
Fiat Type Yi aircraft were purchased by Japan in 1938 due to the high demand for bombers. 75 or 85 were purchased, which served from 1938 to 1939 as bombers, and until 1941 were used as transport aircraft.
History
In July 1937, the Second Sino-Japanese War began, which led to the need for heavy bombers. The only heavy bomber that Japan had was the Ki-1, although in 1937 tests of the new Ki-21 bomber were already underway. The Japanese army urgently needed bombers until more Ki-21 aircraft were introduced, so it was decided to purchase a bomber from abroad. Initially, it was planned to buy the He 111 aircraft from Germany, but there was opposition from the Wehrmacht. Due to the refusal from Germany, it was decided to buy bombers from Italy. A Japanese delegation was sent to check which Italian aircraft was best suited for Japanese requirements. The Italian Air Force presented two B.R. 20 and Ca.135 bombers to the Japanese delegation. The Japanese decided on the B.R. 20 as it was a more modern aircraft than the Ca.135. The Japanese decided to purchase 75 or 85 B.R. 20 aircraft, the first of which was delivered in early 1938.The Japanese army improved the defensive armament of the Fiat B.R. 20 aircraft by mounting a Breda-SAFAT 12.7 mm machine gun on the back (as in the B.R. 20M) and in the nose, as well as a twin Breda-SAFAT 7.7 mm machine gun on the belly. The aircraft quickly entered combat use, where they received very negative evaluations by the crews. The performance and range were criticized, in addition, the B.R. 20 often broke down in the harsh conditions of Manchuria, the Japanese praised only the defensive capabilities of the aircraft. In 1939, there were serious issues with bomb loads because the bomb bays did not fit the Japanese bombs (which led to a lower payload), making it necessary to use exported Italian bombs, which quickly started to run out. Additionally, due to crew errors, enemy fighters, and technical reasons, the Japanese lost about 20 B.R 20 at the beginning of 1939. The Japanese army was already receiving large numbers of Ki-21 aircraft, so it was decided to withdraw the B.R. 20 aircraft from combat units. The planes were directed to transport and courier duties, but due to the lack of spare parts, none of the remaining B.R.20 aircraft was able to fly until 1941.

Photos Fiat Type Yi

Fiat Type Yi Art

Structure description
Changes to the Japanese B.R. 20 compared to the Italian version (B.R 20M M1):

1. Installation of the Breda-SAFAT 12.7mm machine gun in the nose
2. A dual Breda-SAFAT 7.7mm machine gun was installed under the belly.
3. The possibility of equipping with Japanese bombs

Technical sketches

General characteristics

• Crew: 6
• Length: 16,173 m
• Wingspan: 21,56 m
• Height: 4,75 m
• Wing area: 74,07 m2
• Empty weight: 6500 kg
• Gross weight: 10100 kg
• Maximum Take-off Weight: 10450 kg
• Powerplant: 2 x Fiat A.80 R.C.41 18-cylinder piston engine air-cooled, with a power of 746 kW (1000 HP) each
• Propellers: Three-blade Fiat-Hamilton propeller with a constant rotational speed and a diameter of 3.531 mm

Performance

• Maximum speed: 430 km/h
• Cruising speed: 350 km/h
• Range: 865 km
• Maximum Range: 3000 km
• Service ceiling: 7200 m
• Climb Rate: 4,75 m/s
• Rate of climb: 17,93 min to 5000 m

Armament

1. Armament:

• 1 x 12.7mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun in the nose
• 1 x 12.7mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun on the back
• 2 x Breda-SAFAT 7.7mm machine guns under the fuselage

2. Bombs:

• 1,600 kg (Italian and Japanese)

Special thanks

• @tester188-psn

Summary
The Fiat Type Yi/B.R.20 would be a very interesting addition for Japan in War Thunder. It will be a very interesting low-Br bomber that will provide a different experience than Japanese bombers. Thanks to its defensive capabilities, it will be able to destroy enemy fighters with ease, which is a plus for this aircraft. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.

Internet sources

イ式重爆撃機 - Wikipedia
Fiat BR.20 Cicogna - Wikipedia
Fiat BR-20s in Japanese service - Axis History Forum
Fiat BR.20 Cicogna - bomber (aviastar.org)
旧陸軍「イ式重爆撃機」2年足らずで使い捨ての理由と背景 不遇のイタリア機…なぜ？ | 乗りものニュース- (2) (trafficnews.jp)
イ式重爆撃機とは (イシキジュウバクゲキキとは) [単語記事] - ニコニコ大百科 (nicovideo.jp)
Type “Yi” Heavy Bomber (Fiat BR.20) - Japan - War Thunder - Official Forum
Уголок неба ¦ Fiat BR.20 Cicogna
Fiat BR.20 Cicogna : Fiat

Book sources

(Wydawnictwo Militaria No.81) Fiat BR.20 | PDF
Submitting classified documents
Kwantung Army Order (Kan 1 Gomei No. 55)
Purchasing air weapon of Italy
Present situation of Type 100 machine munitions

Additional sources

Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots

[SmørentheBustard]

+1 really cool. Funny to read about what the japanese in 1938 considered “heavy bombers” their technology really developed during the war :O

[Fireraid233]

+1

[Exocetta]

In the late '30s (really mid-'30s when they were all spec’ed and designed), it was a “heavy” when you look around at what most everyone else was building (except I guess the Americans).
Its only “funny” in that it shows how fast the technology and capacity was accelerating.

[jon_man1199]

Sure a +1 from me

[LoSpilotoITA]

One day, I will bonk down planes with the 20mm Japanese gun installed on an Italian aircraft, and it will be amazing!

[PlayedStatue626-live]

+1 quite unique, would be good to pair with the Japanese modified Lagg

[tester188-psn]

I’m really excited to fly this awesome Italian bomber on a Far East map, so I gathered some materials about it!

Some books and military documents state that the BR.20 bombers imported to Japan were designated as “Model 100.” However, they are more commonly referred to as “Type I,” indicating their Italian origin.

Type I Model 100 Heavy Bomber (イ式100型重爆撃機 Yi-shiki Hyaku-gata Jū Bakugeki-ki)

“世界史の中の1億人の昭和史 A History of 100 Million People in the Showa Era, Volume 4,” published by Mainichi Shimbunsha, 1978, p. 82.

“日本の航空50年 50 Years of Japanese Aviation,” edited by Katsu Gun, Ikuo Komori, and Ichiro Naito, 1960, p. 100.

BR.20 (Type I Model 100 aircraft) being transported from Italy to the Far East aboard the cargo ship Ilkaniya (イルカニヤ believed to be Hyrcania).

“一〇〇型飛行機第一回揚陸詳報 Detailed Report on the 1st Landing of Model 100 Aircraft” by the 1st Shipping Transport Commander, Imperial Japanese Army, February 1938.
https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/meta-en/C01004502600

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While a few sources claim that the Japanese BR.20s were equipped with 20 mm cannons, no evidence of 20 mm ammunition being supplied has been found in primary logistical records. Only 7.7 mm and 12.7 mm ammunition are documented as having been provided for use with the BR.20.

Japanese Kwantung Army Order No. 55
January 30, 1938

The Chief of the Mukden Field Aviation Arsenal shall promptly ship the aviation ammunition listed in the attached document to Peking and deliver it to the Central China Expeditionary Army.

Type “I” 50 kg bomb: 3,000
Type “I” 100 kg bomb: 92

Type “I” 7.7 mm Machine Gun

• Armor-piercing incendiary round: 70,000
• Ammunition link: 20,995

Type “I” 12.7 mm Machine Gun

• Ball round: 20,000
• Armor-piercing incendiary round: 10,000
• Ammunition link: 12,494

https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/meta-en/C01003432100

This book explains that the Type I bomber was equipped with one 12.7 mm machine gun in the nose, one 12.7 mm machine gun in the dorsal position, and twin 7.7 mm machine guns in the rear belly.

“日本軍用機三面図集 Illustrated Three-View Drawings of Japanese Military Aircraft [Vol. 1] (Army Aircraft Edition),” co-edited by Shiro Ogiwara and Minoru Akimoto, 1959, p. 119.

Since the Japanese Army referred to 12.7 mm caliber weapons as “cannons,” historians may have misunderstood and assumed they were referring to a 20 mm caliber.

Subject: Regarding the Procurement of Italian Aircraft Armaments

The Imperial Army intends to urgently procure one hundred units of the 12.7 mm Breda aircraft cannon, along with airframe and engine components for the BR.20 aircraft type. You are hereby instructed to investigate the feasibility of said procurement and to ascertain the export pricing of the aforementioned cannon as asserted by the Italian government.

From the Ministry of the Army
To the Military Attaché at the Japanese Embassy in Italy

“Regarding the Procurement of Italian Aircraft Armaments,” Army Aviation Headquarters, September 1939.
https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/meta-en/C01004675000

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In addition to Italian-made bombs, it appears that Japanese-made bombs could also be loaded onto the aircraft. However, it remains unclear exactly how many Japanese bombs could fit within the BR.20’s bomb bay.

The bombs used for the Model 100 bomber are Japanese-made standard bombs, and there are generally no problems at present. However, the links and cartridges, especially the 12.7 mm cartridges, are insufficient in quantity even for emergency deployments. In light of this, careful consideration should be given to the next import plan and the delivery to the Kwantung Army.

Regarding the Current Status of Ammunition for the Model 100 Aircraft, Chief of Staff, Kwantung Army, June 1938.
https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/meta-en/C01003355100

[LoSpilotoITA]

Sad! Btw 2x 7.7 in the belly it’s… wow! Twice the the ammount you find in the Italian one. And the 12.7 in the nose is just chef’s kiss!