- Yes
- Maybe
- No
History.
The IMAM Romeo Ro.57 was a fighter aircraft produced by the company Industrie Meccaniche Aeronautiche Meridionali SpA (IMAM). The idea is the result of the same competition announced by the Regia Aeronautica in February 1936 (the same one in which the unfortunate Ba.88 and the C.R.25 participated). This aircraft was to represent IMAM’s entry into the aeronautical field. However, the project was immediately modified, orienting the designs towards hunting rather than assault, so much so that the final prototype, presented in Guidonia in May 1939, was devoid of any bombing equipment and some other things. The plane was very light thanks to its structure made up of many tubes and had average armament compared to contemporary Italian fighters, however the plane did not arouse much interest among the high command of the Regia Aeronautica. The technicians proposed transforming the Ro.57 into a dive bomber, but this proposal also did not arouse interest. It was only in 1941, faced with the clear failure of the Breda Ba.88, that the Regia Aeronautica decided to resume the project and strengthen it by requesting the transformation of the aircraft into a complete assault aircraft. Thus was born the Ro.57bis, from which the Ro.57 Quadriarma arose following various modifications to further enhance the offensive possibilities of the aircraft. Although they didn’t like the plane, over 70 examples were built, of which none participated in war action due to delays in training and the destruction of the planes by bombing.
Armaments and propulsion.
The aircraft was armed with two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns with 290 rounds per gun. Furthermore, the aircraft could load up to 1,000 kg of bombs. It could load a 1,000 kg bomb in its belly, or an 820 kg or 500 kg or 250 kg bomb. Two 160 kg or 100 kg bombs could also be loaded under the wings.
The plane was powered by two Fiat A.74 RC.38 Ciclone engines with 840 hp, which could push the plane up to a maximum speed of 466 km/h.
Specifications.
Spoiler
Length: 8.83 m
Wingspan: 12.5 m
Height: 2.99 m
Wing surface area: 23 m²
Engine: 2x Fiat A.74 RC.38 radials, 840 hp each
Maximum speed: 466 km/h
Tangency: 8,850 m (8,500 with the 500 kg bomb)
Armament: 2x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT and up to 1.000 kg of bombs
Maximum weight: 4.990 kg
Pictures and drawnings.
Sources.
Spoiler
IMAM Ro.57 - Wikipedia
Уголок неба ¦ IMAM Ro.57
IMAM Ro.57 Overview and Specifications - Comando Supremo
IMAM Ro.57 - Wikipedia
Italian Aircraft 1939-45
https://www.cmpr.it/MN%20-%20IMAM%20Ro.57.htm
https://www.avialogs.com/aircraft-i/imam/item/56181-c-a-613-velivolo-ro-57-istruzioni-e-norme-per-il-montaggio-la-regolazione-l-impiego-e-la-manutenzione
Italian Whirlwind; The IMAM Ro.57 - Forgotten Aircraft - Military Matters
IMAM RO 57 - ZIMMERIT FORUM
Ro-57
IMAM Ro.57 Multipurpose Fighter - Italy
Italian Civil and Military Aircraft
SI VIS PACEM, PARA BELLUM: L'IMAM Ro.57 è stato un aereo prodotto dall'azienda italiana Industrie Meccaniche Aeronautiche Meridionali SpA (IMAM) nei primi anni quaranta
IMAM Ro.57 | Aircraft of World War II - WW2Aircraft.net Forums
IMAM Ro.57
IMAM Ro.57bis : IMAM
