Wikipedia

Breda Ba.65

TheBreda Ba.65was an Italian all-metal single-engine, low-wing monoplane that was used byAviazione Legionariaduring theSpanish Civil WarandRegia Aeronauticain the first half ofWorld War II.It was the only Italianground-attack aircraftthat saw active service in this role. It saw service almost exclusively in the North African and Middle-Eastern theatre.[1]In addition to more than 150 aircraft operated by the Italian forces, a total of 55 were exported and used by the air forces ofIraq,ChileandPortugal.[2]

Ba.65
General information
TypeGround attack aircraft
ManufacturerBreda
Primary usersRegia Aeronautica
Number built218
History
Manufactured1935–1939
First flightSeptember1935
Retired1941
Breda Ba.65 on the ground

Design and development

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An evolution ofBa.64,the Ba.65 was designed by Antonio Parano and Giuseppe Panzeri. It was a single-seat, all-metal, low-wingcantilevermonoplanewith aft-retracting mainundercarriage.Like its predecessor, it was intended to undertakeaeroplano di combattimentomultiple roles as afighter,attack andreconnaissance aircraft.[3]The Ba.65 carried wing-mounted armament of two 12.7 mm (0.5 in) and two 7.7 mm (0.303 in)Breda-SAFAT machine guns,with internal stowage for a 200 kg (440 lb) bombload in addition to external ordnance that could total 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). The prototype, which was first flown in September 1935, like the initial production aircraft, used the 522 kW (700 hp)Gnôme-Rhône K-14radial engineproduced under license byIsotta Fraschini.Starting from the 82nd aircraft, the more powerful Fiat A.80 RC.41 18-cylinder, twin-row radial engine with a takeoff rating of 746 kW (1,000 hp) was adopted.[3]Production ceased in July 1939 after 218 aircraft were built byBredaandCaproni.

Operational history

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Breda Ba.65

The Ba.65 debuted during theSpanish Civil War.Thirteen Series I aircraft, powered by the Gnôme-Rhône engine, equipped the 65aSquadrigliaof theAviazione Legionaria(Legionary Air Force). The unit took part in operations at Santander in August 1937, then at the battles ofTeruelandthe Ebro.[3]The aircraft proved effective and was compared positively with the GermanJunkers Ju 87Stuka.In a unique engagement, one of the Legionary Air Force pilots scored an air-to-air victory when he encountered a lone twin-engineTupolev SBbomberover Soria and shot it down.[4]Of the 23 Ba.65s sent to Spain, 12 were lost in the course of the civil war. They flew 1,921 sorties, including 368 ground-strafing and 59dive bombingattacks. When theAviazione Legionariareturned to Italy in May 1939, they transferred their 11 surviving Ba.65s to the Spanish Air Force.

A total of 25 Fiat-powered Ba.65s two-seaters were sold to theKingdom of Iraqin 1938. These consisted of 22 equipped with Breda L turrets and two dual control trainers.[5]From 2–31 May 1941, theRoyal Iraqi Air Forceflew the Ba.65 during theAnglo-Iraqi War.War broke out after anIraqicoup d'étatinstalled a new government while maintaining the existing monarchy. The Ba.65 was used against armed forces of theUnited Kingdomand theCommonwealth of Nationswhich the coup leaders were trying to expel from bases established after Iraq's independence under the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1930.

During World War II, the Ba.65 was employed against theBritishin North Africa. When Italy entered the war in June 1940 about 150 aircraft were reported to be still in service, but suffered heavy losses facing the British fighters. Most were either out of service or shot down by early 1942. The aircraft, which had been forcibly kept in service after the failure of theBa.88and the poor performance of theCaproni Ca.310,was replaced in the dive bomber role by modifiedSavoia-Marchetti S.79sor fighters. Despite having been destined for scrap at the beginning of hostilities and pulled back into action, the Bredas of 50 Stormo fought a bitter and courageous battle from 13 June 1940 to the remainder of the year. The Bredas proved to be deadly and precise in the role of low level ground attack and dive bombing in comparison with other aircraft available. In the hands of pilots like Capt. Antonio dell'Oro, TenenteAdriano Viscontiand Spanish civil war veteran pilots who were properly trained to fly the aircraft it proved a bitter pill for British armoured forces caught in the desert. Notable encounters included missions carried out at Sidi Rezegh and Sidi Barrani. The Bredas were even involved in one air battle causing the loss of 3 Gloster Gladiators.

Chilebought 20 Ba.65 (17 single-seaters and three dual control trainers) powered by thePiaggio P.XIC.40 (also a 14K derivative) late in 1938.Portugalpurchased 10 Breda equipped with Fiat engines and Breda L Turrets in November 1939.[3]In September 1937, theSwiss Air Forcetested the Ba.65 alongside theHeinkel He 112and theMorane-Saulnier M.S.406but ended up selecting the Morane.

Variants

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  • Ba.65 K.14: Single-seat ground attack version with Isotta Fraschini K.14 reciprocating engine and two 12.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine guns and two 7.7 mm machine guns.
  • Ba.65 K.14 L: Two-seat Ba.65 K.14 attack version with L-type defensive front turret.
  • Ba.65 K.14 M: Two-seat ground attack version with M-type rotating turret.
  • Ba.65 K.14 Dual Control: Trainer and reconnaissance version.
  • Ba.65 A.80: Export version of K.14, converted to A.80 reciprocating engine.
  • Ba.65 H.80 L: Export version of K.14 L, converted to A.80 reciprocating engine.
  • Ba.65 A.80 M: Export version of the K.14 M, fitted with the A.80 reciprocating engine.
  • Ba.65M: 40 aircraft deployed as dive bombers. Redesigned by Caproni-Vizzola.

Operators

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Kingdom of Italy
Breda Ba.65bis purchased by Portugal
Iraq
Chile
Paraguay
Portugal
Spanish State

Specifications (single-seat version)

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Data fromThe Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II[6]

General characteristics

  • Crew:1
  • Length:9.3 m (30 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan:12.1 m (39 ft 8 in)
  • Height:3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area:23.5 m2(253 sq ft)
  • Empty weight:2,400 kg (5,291 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight:2,950 kg (6,504 lb)
  • Powerplant:1 ×Fiat A.80 R.C.4118-cylinder twin-row air-cooled radial piston engine, 746 kW (1,000 hp)
  • Propellers:3-bladed variable-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed:430 km/h (270 mph, 230 kn)
  • Range:550 km (340 mi, 300 nmi)
  • Service ceiling:6,300 m (20,700 ft)

Armament

  • Guns:
  • 2 × 12.7 mm (0.500 in)Breda-SAFATmachine guns
  • 2 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns
  • Bombs:
  • 500 kg (1,102 lb) of bombs

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related toBreda Ba.65.

Notes

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  1. ^Angelucci and Matricardi 1978, p. 191.
  2. ^Mondey 2006, pp. 25–26.
  3. ^abcdMondey 2006, p. 25.
  4. ^"Breda Ba.65."Archived2007-08-24 at theWayback Machinecomandosupremo.Retrieved: 9 August 2010.
  5. ^Mondey 2006, p. 26.
  6. ^Bishop, Chris, ed.The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II.New York: Barnes & Noble, 1998.ISBN0-7607-1022-8.

Bibliography

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  • Angelucci, Enzo and Paolo Matricardi.World Aircraft: World War II, Volume I(Sampson Low Guides). Maidenhead, UK: Sampson Low, 1978.ISBN0-562-00096-8.
  • Arraez Cerda, Juan (December 1995). "Le Breda 65 en Espagne" [The Breda 65 in Spain].Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire(in French) (33): 39–43.ISSN1243-8650.
  • Fernandez, José (October 1995). "Le Breda 65 (2epartie) ".Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire(in French) (31): 21–26.ISSN1243-8650.
  • Fernandez, José (November 1995). "Le Breda 65 (3epartie) ".Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire(in French) (32): 33–37.ISSN1243-8650.
  • Ledet, Michel (February 1996). "Les Breda 65 irakiens et portugais" [The Iraqi and Portuguese Breda 65s].Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire(in French) (35): 38–43.ISSN1243-8650.
  • Mondey, David. "Breda Ba.65."The Hamlyn Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II.New York: Bounty Books, 2006.ISBN0-7537-1460-4.
  • Poletti, Pierre & Laureau, Patrick (January 1996). "Les Breda 65 chiliens" [The Chilean Breda 65s].Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire(in French) (34): 7–13.ISSN1243-8650.
  • Sgarlato, Nico.Italian Aircraft of World War II.Warren, Michigan: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1979.ISBN0-89747-086-9.
  • Shores, Christopher.Regia Aeronautica, a Pictorial History of the Italian Air Force. Vol. 1: 1940–1943.Warren, Michigan: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1976. No ISBN.
  • Taylor, Michael J.H.Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation Vol. 2.Danbury, Connecticut: Grolier Educational Corporation, 1980.ISBN0-7106-0710-5.
  • Winchester, Jim. "Breda Ba.65."Aircraft of World War II(The Aviation Factfile). Kent, UK: Grange Books plc, 2004.ISBN1-84013-639-1.
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