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From: Miloch <Miloch_member@newsguy.com>
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Subject: Breda Ba.65
Date: 21 Oct 2018 08:12:44 -0700
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breda_Ba.65
The Breda Ba.65 was an Italian all-metal single-engine, low-wing monoplane used
by Aviazione Legionaria during the Spanish Civil War and Regia Aeronautica in
the first part of World War II. It was the only Italian ground-attack aircraft
that saw active service in this role. It saw service almost exclusively on the
North African front. In addition to more than 150 aircraft operated by the
Italian forces, a total of 55 were exported and used by the air forces of Iraq,
Chile and Portugal.
An evolution of Ba.64, the Ba.65 was designed by Antonio Parano and Giuseppe
Panzeri. It was a single-seat, all-metal, low-wing cantilever monoplane with
aft-retracting main undercarriage. Like its predecessor, it was intended to
undertake aeroplano di combattimento multiple roles as a fighter, attack and
reconnaissance aircraft. The Ba.65 carried wing-mounted armament of two 12.7 mm
(0.5 in) and two 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns, with internal
stowage for a 200 kg (440 lb) bombload in addition to external ordnance that
could total 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). The prototype, which was first flown in
September 1935, like the initial production aircraft, used the 522 kW (700 hp)
Starting from the 82nd aircraft, the more powerful Fiat A.80 RC.41 18-cylinder,
twin-row radial engine with a takeoff rating of 746 kW (1,000 hp) was adopted.
Production ceased in July 1939 after 218 aircraft were built by Breda and
Caproni.
Role
Ground attack aircraft
Manufacturer
Breda
First flight
September 1935
Retired
1941
Primary users
Regia Aeronautica
Iraq
Chile
Portugal
Produced
Number built
218
The Ba.65 debuted during the Spanish Civil War. Thirteen Series I aircraft,
Legionaria (Legionary Air Force). The unit took part in operations at Santander
in August 1937, then at the battles of Teruel and the Ebro. The aircraft proved
effective and was compared positively with the German Junkers Ju 87 Stuka. In a
unique engagement, one of the Legionary Air Force pilots scored an air-to-air
victory when he encountered a lone twin-engine Tupolev SB bomber over Soria and
shot it down. Of the 23 Ba.65s sent to Spain, 12 were lost in the course of the
civil war. They flew 1,921 sorties, including 368 ground-strafing and 59 dive
bombing attacks. When the Aviazione Legionaria returned to Italy in May 1939,
they bequeathed their 11 surviving Ba.65s to the Spanish Air Force.
A total of 25 Fiat-powered Ba.65s two-seaters were sold to the Kingdom of Iraq
in 1938. These consisted of 22 equipped with Breda L turrets and two dual
new government while maintaining the existing monarchy. The Ba.65 was used
against armed forces of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations which
the coup leaders were trying to expel from bases established after Iraq's
independence under the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1930.
During World War II, the Ba.65 was employed against the British in North Africa.
When Italy entered the war in June 1940 about 150 aircraft were reported to be
still in service, but suffered heavy losses facing the British fighters. Most
were either out of service or shot down by February 1941. The aircraft, which
had been forcibly kept in service after the failure of the Ba.88 and the poor
performance of the Caproni Ca.310, was replaced in the dive bomber role by
modified Savoia-Marchetti S.79s or fighters.
Chile bought 20 Ba.65 (17 single-seaters and three dual control trainers)
powered by the Piaggio P.XI C.40 (also a 14K derivative) late in 1938. Portugal
purchased 10 Breda equipped with Fiat engines and Breda L Turrets in November
1939.
Specifications (single-seat version)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 9.30 m (30 ft 6.1 in)
Wingspan: 12.10 m (39 ft 8.4 in)
Height: 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in)
Empty weight: 2,400 kg (5,300 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 2,950 kg (6,500 lb)
Performance
Maximum speed: 430 km/h (230 kn, 270 mph)
Range: 550 km (342 mi)
Service ceiling: 6,300 m (20,670 ft)
Armament
Guns:
Bombs: 500 kg (1,102 lb)
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