IMAM Ro.44
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| Ro.44 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Fighter seaplane |
| National origin | Italy |
| Manufacturer | IMAM |
| Designed by | Giovanni Galasso |
| Maiden flight | October 1936 |
| Number built | 35 |
The IMAM Ro.44 was a fighter seaplane developed in Italy, a single seater derivative of the Ro.43 that first flew in October 1936. While the Ro.43 had serious problems, the Ro.44 was an utter failure. Armed with two 12.7 mm machine guns fitted in the nose, the rear fuselage of the R.43 was redesigned to dispense with the observer's position, and changes were made to the tail. Overall, performance remained almost identical to that of the Ro.43, although the Ro.44 was more maneuverable.
Although it was fast enough to intercept machines like the Fairey Swordfish and Fairey Seafox, its actual performance (and sea-keeping capabilities) was so poor, that out of 51 ordered, only 35 were produced. They were used only in the Aegean Sea, with 161 Squadriglia having seven examples in service at the beginning of World War II but was soon retired from the front line and sent to seaplane schools. This was the last OFM/IMAM biplane to be designed.
[edit] Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Length: 9.71 m (31 ft 11 in)
- Wingspan: 11.60 m (38 ft 1 in)
- Height: 3.55 m (11 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 33.4 m² (359 ft²)
- Empty weight: 1,770 kg (3,890 lb)
- Gross weight: 2,200 kg (4,840 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Piaggio P.XR, 520 kW (700 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 320 km/h (200 mph)
- Range: 1,200 km (750 miles)
- Service ceiling: 7,200 m (23,600 ft)
Armament
- 2 × fixed, forward-firing 12.7 mm machine guns
[edit] References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 533.
- Marcon, Tullio (1999). IMAM Ro.43/44. Turin: La Bancarella Aeronautica.
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