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Italy's Fiat BR.20; Fiat B.R.20 medium bomber
Nickname: Cicogna (stork)4, Cigona

Photos

Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber:
Italy's Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber		 Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber:
Italy's Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber		 Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber:
Italy's Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber		  
Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber:
Italy's Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber
Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook 		Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber:
Italy's Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber
Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook		    
Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber used by Japan:
Italy's Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber used by Japan		      
Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber:
Italy's Fiat BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber		      

Design

The Fiat B.R.20 was designed by Celestino Rosatelli to meet the requirements for a two engine bomber that could carry 2,640 lbs of bombs 600 miles at a speed of 240 mph.3

The B.R.20 had stressed skin duralumin and fabric.2,3 It also had retractable undercarriage into the engine housings.2,3

The BR.20M had a cleaner nose and a stronger wing.1

Prototype

The prototype of the Fiat BR.20 Cicogna first flew on February 10, 1936.1,2

The prototype of the Fiat BR.20M was flown at the end of 1939.1

The first B.R.20bis flew in December 1941.2

Production

The BR.20II entered production in 1943.1

  • Fiat B.R.20: 3202
  • Fiat B.R.20A: 22
  • Fiat B.R.20L: 12
  • Fiat B.R.20M: 2642
  • Fiat B.R.20bis: 152,3
    • Production: 1942 - ?3
  • Total: >5003, 6022, 6061
    • Manufacturer: Fiat S.A.3
    • Production: 7 years3

Variants

  • Fiat BR.20:
  • Fiat B.R.20A: Civilian model.2 Took part in civilian distance races.3
  • Fiat BR.20M: New nose and stronger wing.1 Added additional armament.2 Included more armor.2 Nose was redesigned.2,3
  • Fiat BR.20II / Fiat BR.20bis: Had Fiat A.82 RC 32 radial engines (1,250 HP).1 Nose was redesigned.2,3 Additional armor added.3 Did not see combat.3
  • Fiat Nichii Type C8 Mikado, TB-98: Exported version to Japan.4

Usage

Italy, Japan, Spain, and Venezuela used the B.R.20.2

The 13° Stormo BT received the first BR.20s in September of 1936.1

In March of 1937 the 7° Stormo BT received its first BR.20s.1

Long Distance Races

In 1939, pilot Maner Lualdi, flew a specially built B.R. 20 almost 3,000 miles from Rome to Addis Ababa.3 His average speed was over 250 mph which was a world record for its category.3

Spain

The 7° and 13° Stormo BTs took their BR.20s to Spain in 1937.1 They were there for about a year and a half.3

Japan

In 1938-1939 85 BR.20s were shipped to Japan.1,2 Japan used these BR.20s in China.1,2

The Japanese paid for them with soya beans.2

Venezuela

One BR.20 was shipped to Venezuela in 1938.1

Entry into War

In June 1940 there were four stormi that flew 148 BR.20s, the 7°, 13°, 18°, and 43°.1

Battle of Britain

In Belgium there were 80 BR.20s that were used in raids against England in November 1940.1,3,4 They suffered heavy casualties.1 Within 300 hours 20 of the 80 were shot down.3

North Africa

The Fiat engines were unsuitable in the desert conditions of North Africa.1

Italian Armistice

There were only 67 BR.20s in service at the time of the Italian Armistice.1

Specifications

  Fiat BR.20 Cicogna Fiat B.R. 20M Cicogna Fiat B.R. 20bis Cicogna
Type Bomber3,4, Medium bomber1,2    
Crew 53, 5 - 61,2    
Engine (Type) 2: Fiat A.80 RC 41 piston1,2,3,4 2: Fiat A.80 RC412 2: Fiat A.82 RC322,3
OR   2: Fiat A.80 RC202  
Cylinders Radial1,4, Radial 182,3 RC41: Radial 182 Radial 182
HP 1,000 each1,2,3,4 RC41: 1,000 each2
RC20: 1,100 each2 		1,250 each2,3
Cooling Air3    
Propeller blades 3 each2, 3 metal each3 3 each2 3 each2
Dimensions      
Span 70' 8"4, 70' 8.75"1, 70' 9"3
21.56 m1 		70' 8.5"2
21.55 m2 		 
Length 52'4, 52' 9.75"1, 52' 10"3
16.1 m1 		54' 8"2
16.66 m2 		 
Height 14' 1"3,4, 14' 1.25"1
4.3 m1 		15' 7"2
4.75 m2 		 
Wing area 796.6 ft2 1
74 m2 1 		   
Weight      
Empty 14,330 lb1
6,500 kg1 		14,330 lb2
6,500 kg2 		 
Loaded 21,850 lb3, 22,266 lb1, 22,500 lb4
10,100 kg1 		23,038 lb2
10,450 kg2 		 
Performance      
Speed 268 mph4    
Speed @ 13,125' /
4,000 m 		267 mph1
430 kph1 		   
Speed @ 13,450' /
4,100 m 		  255 mph2
410 kph2 		 
Speed @ 16,400' 268 mph3    
Cruising speed   211 mph2
340 kph2 		 
Climb   900'/minute2
275 m/minute2 		 
Climb to 13,125' /
4,000 m 		13.55 minutes1    
Climb to 19,685' /
6,000 m 		  25 minutes2  
Service ceiling 24,935'1, 29,500'3
7,600 m1 		23,600'2
7,193 m2 		 
Range 1,193 miles1, 1,800 miles4, 1,860 miles3
1,920 km1 		1,709 miles2
2,750 km2 		 
Armament 3: MG3    
Nose position 1: 7.7 mm MG1,2 1: 12.7 mm MG2  
Dorsal position 1: 7.7 mm MG1,2    
Ventral position 1: 7.7 mm MG1
2: 7.7 mm MG2 		   
Bombs 2,200 lb4, 3,527 lb1,2,3
1,600 kg1,2 		   

Sources:

  1. Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
  2. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
  3. World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
  4. Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook, Ensign L. C. Guthman, 1943