Planet Model 1/72 Breda 44 Light Transport by Enrico Calanchini |
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The Breda 44 was a light transport built in 1934. It was a six-passenger twin-engine biplane; the
plane had an unstepped nose and landing gear faired into the engine nacelles. Power was supplied
by Walter Major-Six air-cooled in-line engines of 190 hp each. In addtion to their limited use in
Italy, a number of Breda 44 transports were exported to Paraguay during that country's war with Bolivia. Maxium speed was 140 mph, with cruising and landing speeds of 112 mph and 56 mph. Other Performance data included a cruising range of 335 miles and a service ceiling of 15,580 ft. Span was 43 ft 8 in, it was 33 ft 11 in long and 10 ft 1 in high; the wing area was 387 sq ft. The empty weight was 2970 lb and the loaded figure was 4774 lb. Alternate engine installations were 155 hp Colombo S.63 six-cylinder in-lines, giving a speed of 115 mph; and 200 hp DeHavilland Gipsy-six inverted in-lines providing 124 mph. This is a rare bird I constructed using the Planet Model 1/72 Breda 44 resin kit. Only 11 aircraft were built of which six were used on the Greek front. The plane had a crew of two and could carry 6 passengers or could be used to transport wounded. The plane was used until the armistice providing valuable service to the Italian Armed Forces. The assembly of this kit required some additional work, mainly the interior being bare (see construction photos), the wheels are too thin and were replaced. The camouflage is base Giallo Mimetico 3 with dense spots of Verde Mimetico and Marrone Mimetico 3, the lower surfaces are in Grigio Mimetico, and the engine cowling was painted Chrome yellow, consistent with markings for the period (Greek Front). I used Puravest series RA paints and the tie rods are made of sprue. ITALIAN TEXT: Questo è un uccello raro che ho realizzato partendo dal kit in resina della Planet Model in scala 1/72 del Breda 44, aereo da collegamento disarmato costruito in " ben " 11 esemplari, dei quali 6 operanti sul fronte Greco basati in Albania. L'aspetto generale ricorda quello del De Havilland DH 89 Dragon Rapide suo coevo di simili caratteristiche per affidabilità e con le stesse unità motrici, due motori in linea Gipsy six eroganti 200hp ciascuno che consentivano una velocità max di 248 Kmh e di crociera di 196 Kmh, l'equipaggio era di due piloti e poteva trasportare 6 persone più bagaglio oppure veniva usato come trasporto di feriti in barelle. Essi operarono fino all'armistizio assolvendo onorevolmente il loro compito fino all'ultimo esemplare sopravvissuto, non senza il sacrificio di vite umane perché bersagli inermi. La realizzazione del modello ha richiesto alcuni interventi aggiuntivi e di modifica riguardanti soprattutto gli interni perché spogli, la deriva da correggere nella forma, le ruote troppo magre da sostituire e la matricola civile da modificare per il soggetto scelto. La mimetica è costituita da fondo in giallo mimetico 3 con macchie fitte in verde mimetico 3 e bruno mimetico 10, le superfici inferiori sono in grigio mimetico, e le cappottature dei motori in giallo cromo, perché insegne tattiche del periodo, i colori usati sono della Puravest serie R.A. e i tiranti sono ottenuti da sprue filato. |
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Construction Construction photos: |
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Technical Data Aircraft: Breda 44 Manufacturer: Societa Italiana Ernesto Breda Type: Transport Year: 1934 Engine: Walter Major-Six, in-line, air-cooled 190hp Wingspan: 43 ft 8 in (13.3 m) Length: 33 ft 11 in (10.34 m) Height: 10 ft 1 in (3.07 m) Weight: 4,774 lb (2,165 kg) (Loaded) Maximum Speed: 140 mph (225 km/h) Ceiling: 15,580 ft (4,749 m) Range: 335 miles (539 km) Armament: --- Crew: 2 Additional Images |
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