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Italy's Fiat R.S.14, RS.14 torpedo bomber and reconnaissance floatplane

Photos

Fiat R.S.14 floatplane:
Italy's Fiat R.S.14 floatplane
Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook 		Fiat R.S.14 floatplane:
Italy's Fiat R.S.14 floatplane
Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook 		   
Fiat R.S.14B floatplane1:
Italy's Fiat R.S.14 floatplane		      

Design

The Fiat RS.14 was designed in 1938 as a reconnaissance sea plane.2

The Fiat R.S.14 was based on the A.S.14 land based ground attack bomber that had retractable landing gear.1 It was redesigned in 1941 as unarmed R.S.14As.1

The construction of the RS.14 was all metal.2

A single torpedo could be carried between the floats.3

Prototype

Production

  • A.S.14 Prototype: 11
  • Fiat R.14A: 21
  • Fiat R.S.14B and Fiat R.S. 14C: 1841
  • Total: 1522, 1871
    • Manufacturer: CMASA2

Variants

  • A.S.14: Land based prototype.1
  • Fiat R.14A: Unarmed prototype.1
  • Fiat R.S.14B: Reconnaissance and torpedo bomber.1 Modified nose and could carry bombs or depth charges.1 Had defensive armament.1
  • Fiat R.S.14C: Reconnaissance and air sea rescue.1 Converted from R.S.14B.1 Ventral tray was removed.1

Usage

Italy and Germany used the Fiat R.S.14s.1

Deployed

The R.S.14s were initially used in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas as convoy escorts and reconnaissance aircraft.1

By September 1943 almost all remaining R.S.14s were converted to R.S.14Cs.1

After Surrender

After Italy's surrender the R.S.14s were used by the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana and the Co-Belligerent forces.1 Only 10 RS.14s remained in operation.2

After World War II

After the war some R.S.14s remained in service until the late 1940s.1,2

Specifications

  Fiat R.S.14, Fiat RS.14 Fiat R.S.14B
Type Bomber3, Torpedo bomber1, Reconnaissance1,2,3  
Crew 4 - 52, 51  
Engine (Type) 2: Fiat A 74 RC381,2
2: Fiat A-74 RC-383 		 
Cylinders Radial 141,2  
Cooling Air2  
HP 840 each1,2,3  
Propeller blades 3 each1  
Dimensions    
Span 64'3, 64' 1"2, 64' 11"1
19.53 m1 		 
Length 45'3, 46' 3"2, 46' 3"1
14.1 m1 		 
Height 18' 6"2  
Wing area    
Weight    
Empty   12,125 lb1
5,500 kg1
Loaded 18,700 lb2 17,637 lb1
8,000 kg1
Maximum load    
Performance    
Speed at sea level 242 mph1
389 kph1 		 
Speed @ 13,100' 242 mph2  
Speed @ 13,120' /
4,000 m 		254 mph1
409 kph1 		 
Cruising speed 205 mph1
330 kph1 		 
Climb    
Service ceiling 16,400'1, 20,700'2
5,000 m1 		 
Range 1,550 miles2  
Maximum range 1,553 miles1
2,500 km1 		 
Armament    
Dorsal turret 1: 12.7 mm MG1
1: MG2 		 
Beam hatches 2: 7.7 mm MG1
2: MG2 		 
Bombs 880 lb2  
Ventral tray 880 lb bombs1
400 kg bombs1 		 
OR 2: 353 lb depth charges1
2: 160 kg depth charges1 		 
Torpedo 13  

Sources:

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