World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseWhen the BR.20 Cicogna ("Stork") bombers when introduced in 1936, they became a centerpiece to Benito Mussolini's propaganda machine. They were entered into the prestigious Istres-Damascus air race, 85 of them were sold to Japan to use in the Second Sino-Japanese War and 9 were given to the Spanish Nationalists for use in the Spanish Civil War, and in 1939 one of them made a non-stop flight from Rome to Addis Ababa. In the first years of WW2, they served during the campaign against France, the Battle of Britain, and in North Africa. Some of them were also sent as interceptors against British convoys for Malta. They were extensively used in Yugoslavia against Tito's partisan forces. When Italy surrendered, most of them became trainers, though a few remained under service on the Russian front under German banner.

SPECIFICATIONS

BR.20M

Machinery	Two Fiat A.80 RC.41 radial engine rated at 1,000hp each
Armament	3x12.7mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, 1,600kg of bombs
Crew	5
Span	21.56 m
Length	16.68 m
Height	4.75 m
Wing Area	74.00 m²
Weight, Empty	6,500 kg
Weight, Maximum	10,100 kg
Speed, Maximum	440 km/h
Speed, Cruising	340 km/h
Service Ceiling	8,000 m
Range, Normal	2,750 km

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