Breda Ba.65 "Single-Seater with Fiat A.80 RC.41 Engine"

Following Italy's entry into World War II in June 1940, Ba.65s were involved in the fighting in North Africa against the British. They had a low serviceability rate in desert conditions and put up an unimpressive performance, The last serviceable aircraft was lost during the British offensive in Cyrenaica in February 1941.

A large number of the Ba.65s serving with Italian units were of two-seat configuration, with an observer/gunner in an open cockpit above the trailing edge of the wing. A smaller number of the type had a Breda L type turret, but in either case the observer/ gunner operated a single 7.7mm machine-gun. While offensive armament could theoretically comprise up to 1000kg of bombs, the load usually carried was up to 300kg in the fuselage bomb bay or, alternatively, up to 200kg on underwing racks.

Drie uitvoeringen mogelijk;

• Breda Ba.65 A-80, serial no.MM.75244, Ienente Adriano Visconti, 159a Squadriglia, 12 Grupo, 50 Stormo Assalto, Torbruk T2, November 1940.

• Breda Ba.65 A-80, 159-12, 159a Squadriglia, 12 Grupo, 50 Stormo Assalto, Torbruk T2, October 1940.

• Breda Ba.65 A-80, 159-4, 159a Squadriglia, 12 Grupo, 50 Stormo Assalto, Benghazi-Berka, spring 1940.

Schaal 1:48

Special Hobby SH48053