Source:
Un bombardier stratégique pour la Regia Aeronautica
Cinq projets avortés
AviMag 702
15-3-1977
Giancarlo Garello
Strategic Bomber was launched with the following requirements:
Range: 4000 Km
Max Speed: 500 Km/h
Crew: 8
Armament: 1 cannon + 6 machine guns
Bomb load: 2000 Kg
Valoration was a as follows:
SAI S-404 discarded because it low speed handling and maneuverability was not promising
Ca-211 was not suited to requirement because of the 3 engined formula
Ca-204 engines (IFL 180) were judged to need a long development work
Fiat G-30B had unsatisfactory max speed
In parallel there was also issued a Strategic Bomber Flying Boat
Requirements:
Range: 5000 Km
Max Speed: 430 Km/h
Crew: 6
Armament: 1 cannon + 6 machine guns
Bomb load: 2000 Kg
Submitted designs:
CANT Z-512 (A Z-1014 derivative)
Piaggio P-114 (A P-112 derivative)
CANT Z-1014, Caproni Ca-204 and CANT Z-512 were selected for prototype construction
By its own iniciative, Piaggio worked on The P.112, based on its P.108 when the requierement was issued so they were able to submit the P.114 flying boat. The P.112 had Piaggio P-XII which were more powerful than the P-XI in the P.108.
Italian authorities considered several questions before giving green light to the definitive purchase of a new strategic bomber
1. Experience with 4 engined Piaggio P.50 with Piaggio P-XI engines had been negative
2. A reengined P.108 with Piaggio P XXI engines could have equal if not surpase the Z.1014 expected performance.
3. The Z.1014 was far more expensive than the P.108
4. Development schedule for such an aircraft was necesary long and Regia Aeronautica couldn't wait for it.
Thus, it was decided to study another options:
1. Piaggio P.123 ( a development from P.23R) but it was a 3 engined design
2. Piaggio P.133 (studied at Piaggio as a P.108 replacement) which had also a long development process ahead
3. Boeing B-17. Politicaly uncertain...
4. Piaggio P.108 with Piaggio P XII engines
The P.108/P XII option was finaly selected and this is how the story ends.
Regards,
Antonio in collaboration with Lark
Aditional info and pictures on Italian unbuilt heavy bombers here:
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=46688http://www.tgplanes.com/Public/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1077