IMAM Ro.57

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Ro.57
Italian IMAM Ro.57 fighter prototype front quarter view.jpg
The first IMAM Ro.57 prototype, MM-407
General information
Type Fighter, attacker
National originItaly
Manufacturer Industrie Meccaniche e Aeronautiche Meridionali (IMAM)
Designer
Giovanni Galasso
StatusRetired
Primary user Regia Aeronautica
Number built50 + 1 prototype [1]
History
Introduction date1943
First flight1939
Developed into IMAM Ro.58
The first Ro.57 prototype, MM-407. Italian IMAM Ro.57 fighter prototype rear quarter view.jpg
The first Ro.57 prototype, MM-407.
Ro.57bis Italian IMAM Ro.57 bis fighter front quarter view.jpg
Ro.57bis
Ro.57bis Italian IMAM Ro.57 bis fighter front view.jpg
Ro.57bis
Ro.57bis Italian IMAM Ro.57 bis fighter in flight.jpg
Ro.57bis

The IMAM Ro.57 was an Italian twin-engined, single-seat monoplane fighter of the Regia Aeronautica. Based on a 1939 design by Giovanni Galasso the aircraft did not enter production until 1943.

Contents

Two hundred aircraft were ordered, but only 50–75 were produced in two versions, one flown as an interceptor, the other in the role of a ground attack aircraft. [2]

Design and development

The Ro.57 was preceded by another twin engine fighter design, the Ro.53, which never entered production. The Ro.57 consisted of an all-metal, semi-monocoque fuselage with a steel skeleton and Duralumin structure. The wings were also Duralumin. It was powered by two 840 hp (630 kW) Fiat A.74 radial engines giving a maximum speed of 516 km/h, which in 1939 was faster than that of the main Italian fighter, the Macchi C.200 (504 km/h).

After testing at Guidonia it was proposed by IMAM for use as a dive bomber. This transformation, which involved the addition of dive brakes and provision for 500 kg bombs took time and delayed production. The resulting aircraft was designated the Ro.57bis. Performance dropped to 466 km/h maximum speed [3] and to 350 km/h at cruise speed. The Ro.57bis was ordered into production in 1942 and entered service with the 97° Gruppo in 1943. About 50–60 aircraft were delivered. [4]

It is said that the Ro.57 could have been the long range interceptor that Italy lacked throughout the war. It proved to be too costly for the limited weapons it carried and it never was assigned a clear role[ citation needed ]. A better-armed version with more powerful engines was developed as the Ro.58.

Variants

Ro.57
Single-seat fighter with Fiat A.74 radial engines, and two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns
Ro.57bis
The dive bombing variant fitted with dive brakes, only one 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun on the first 40 units built, increased to two on subsequent units, a crutch for bombs up to 2,205 lb (1,000 kg) under the fuselage and two hardpoint for bombs up to 353 lb (160 kg) under the wings. [3]
Ro.57bis "Quadriarma"
A single unit (MM.75315) was equipped with what was to become the definitive armament, that is, two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns and two 20 mm autocannons. [5]

Operators

Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg Kingdom of Italy

Specifications (Ro.57 Bis)

Data fromVelivolo RO. 57 bimotore da bombardamento a tuffo [3]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ↑ IMAM Ro.57
  2. ↑ Angelucci, Enzo (2001). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft 1914 to the Present. Edison, NJ: Chartwell books. pp. 232–233. ISBN   0-7858-1359-4.
  3. 1 2 3 Ministero dell'Aeronautica (1943). Velivolo RO. 57 bimotore da bombardamento a tuffo.
  4. ↑ Green, W; Swanborough, G (1994). The Complete Book of Fighters. Smithmark. ISBN   0-8317-3939-8.
  5. ↑ Farina, Franco (2000). I tuffatori di Crotone.

Further reading

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