RCR 1/48 Breda Ba.65 A80 Ground Attack Aircraft by Luca Bossi

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The Breda 65 was derived from the Breda 64 in the early 1930s. It was the only Italian ground attack aircraft that saw active service in this role. The plane was used in the Spanish Civil where it demonstrated its good qualities of speed and fire power. After service in the Spanish Civil War, the Breda 65 equipped a number of different units and in June 1940, when Italy entered the war there were 154 aircraft. During WW II the Breda 65 saw service almost exclusively on the African front. Despite overwhelming Allied air superiority, the Ba.65 put in a good showing as it helped stem the Allied advance in early 1941. The Ba.65 was an all-metal low-wing monoplane and was powered by two different engines, the 1,030 hp Fiat A.80 RC 41 (Ba.65 A.80) and the 1,000 hp Gnome-Rhone K.14 (Ba.65 K.14). Two models were built, one a single-seater and the other a two seater. The two-seater model carried a machine gun in the rear cockpit. The plane was also exported to Iraq, Chile and Portugal.

Construction This is my 1/48 scale Breda Ba 65 A.80 resin kit released by RCR. The plane flew with the 159a Squadriglia ,50o Stormo Assalto of the Regia Aeronautica, North Africa 1940. Interiors and bomb bays are superdetailed but unfortunately it is almost impossible to get a good picture of these areas. (the pilot turning head is a photo trick by my brother Marco)

Technical Data Aircraft: Breda Ba.65 A80 Manufacturer: Societa Italiana Ernesto Breda Type: Fighter Bomber Year: 1935 Engine: Fiat A.80 RC 41, 18-cylinder radial, air-cooled, 1,030 hp Wingspan: 39 ft 8 in (12.10 m) Length: 31 ft 6 in (9.60 m) Height: 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) Weight: 7,695 lb (3,490 kg) (Loaded) Maximum Speed: 267 mph (430 km/h) Ceiling: 27,230 ft (8,300 m) Range: 342 miles (550 km) Armament: 4 machine guns; 2,200 lb (1,000 kg) of bombs Crew: 1 References: 1) Le macchine e la storia - STEM Mucchi – profili –Piero Tonizzo & Ezio Maio – Breda 65 2) AEROFAN n°8/1988 Additional Images:

April, 2007 STORMO! © 2007