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Hello everyone, and welcome to this new suggestion.
Today, I am presenting a new French aircraft from the interwar period: the Romano R-120.
In 1934, the French Air Force issued specifications for a new bomber intended to replace its BN-5 program night bombers. Although the BN-5 had only entered production in 1932, it was already considered outdated by 1934. The new aircraft was expected to be a modern four-seat, twin-engine bomber, with improved performance and, most importantly, a greater bomb-carrying capacity.
The Romano company, founded by Étienne Romano, responded to the requirement with its own design. The resulting aircraft had a particularly distinctive appearance, with a large glazed nose that sloped sharply downward, giving the R-120 an almost beak-like or hooked profile.
Only a single prototype was constructed, and the aircraft made its maiden flight in 1938. Despite its relatively compact design, the R-120 offered an impressive payload capacity, being capable of carrying up to 1.4 tonnes of bombs over a range of approximately 900 km, (Jean Liron’s article suggests a payload of 4 tonnes over 2,000 km; this is likely a typo.)
Following its first flights, the prototype was sent to Cannes for evaluation. During testing, the Romano R-120 demonstrated promising characteristics, including good handling and a substantial bomb load. It also offered a high top speed and a design that was considered relatively easy to manufacture.
Despite these advantages, the R-120 was ultimately not selected for production. The French military high command instead chose to pursue other bomber designs, notably the LeO 45 and the Amiot 340, which were considered better suited to the requirements of the French Air Force.
The sole prototype was subsequently placed in storage at Cannes. It never had the opportunity to enter operational service or see combat, and was eventually dismantled in early 1940.
Characteristics
Length : 16.10 m
Width : 21.10 m
Height : 4.25 m
Mass :
- Empty : 4,800 kg
- Full : 9,100 kg
The aircraft is powered by a pair of Hispano-Suiza 14Aa engines, each delivering 980 hp, enabling it to reach a top speed of 520 km/h and a service ceiling of 9,000 m. Its range is estimated at 1,400 km.
The crew consists of four personnel: a pilot, a forward observer/gunner/bombardier, a radio operator/ventral gunner, and a dorsal gunner.
Weapons
The aircraft’s armament is quite impressive; it combines a substantial bomb load, capable of inflicting significant damage on targets, with effective defensive capabilities.
Defensive armament:
- 1 x 20mm Hispano-Suiza 404 (dorsal turret)
- 1 x 7.5mm MAC 34 (ventral turret)
- 2 x 7.5mm MAC 34 (forward-firing mount)
Offensive armament:
- Maximum bomb load of 1,400 kg
In-game, this aircraft would be an excellent addition to the French tech tree, introducing a unique machine with compelling flight characteristics, most notably a higher top speed than other aircraft of its type from the same era.
Pictures
Sources
- Romano R-120 - Bombardier moyen - Un siècle d’aviation française
- Romano R.120
- Le Romano R 120 était un bombardier moyen bimoteur de construction entièrement métallique qui faisait suite à une demande du ministère de l’air français en 1934 qui cherchait un remplaçant aux antiques Bloch 200 et Amiot 143. Le R 120 possédait un train rétractable, était équipé de deux moteurs Hispano-Suiza 14Aa de 14 cylindres en double étoile développant 980 CV chacun et qui entraînaient des hélices tripales à pas variable, emportait un armement défensif conséquent (3 mitrailleuses et 1 canon de 20 mm en tourelle dorsale) et il pouvait emporter 4 tonnes de bombes. Sa vitesse maxi annoncée était de 520 km/h. Pourtant, malgré des essais concluants en 1938, il ne fut pas commandé en série car l’armée de l’air avait une nette préférence pour le LéO 45. Il poursuivra ses essais jusqu’à la déclaration de la guerre en septembre 1939 et, devenu inutile, il sera démantelé au… - Avions moches, bizarres, ratés, projets abandonnés et aviation insolite. | Facebook
- Chantiers Aéronavals Romano R-120 medium bomber prototype… | Secret Projects Forum
