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Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere
par Triptick Jeu 11 Fév 2010, 15:52
Le quad italien tel que présenté sur Wikipedia version anglaise :
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The [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] P.108 Bombardiere was an [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] four-engine [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] used by the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] during [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]. The [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] first flew in 1939 and it entered service in 1942.
Four versions of the P.108 were designed, but only one, the P.108B bomber, was produced in any quantity before the armistice.
The other variants included the P.108A anti-shipping aircraft with a 102 mm (4 in) [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the P.108C, an [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] with an extended wingspan and re-modelled [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] capable of carrying 32 passengers, and the P.108T transport version
designed specifically for military use.
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The [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] P.108 Bombardiere was an [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] four-engine [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] used by the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] during [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]. The [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] first flew in 1939 and it entered service in 1942.
Four versions of the P.108 were designed, but only one, the P.108B bomber, was produced in any quantity before the armistice.
The other variants included the P.108A anti-shipping aircraft with a 102 mm (4 in) [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the P.108C, an [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] with an extended wingspan and re-modelled [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] capable of carrying 32 passengers, and the P.108T transport version
designed specifically for military use.
Triptick- CLUB
- Messages : 579
Re: Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere
par Triptick Jeu 11 Fév 2010, 15:56
Only one P.108A and 24 P.108Bs were built. The combined total number of P108Cs and Ts built was approximately 16, but it is unclear precisely how many of either version.
Most of the P.108Cs were subsequently modified for use as [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and could accommodate up to 60 passengers.
P.108B
Design and development
The P.108 was the only four-engine heavy bomber used by the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] during World War II, and was a
development of the earlier underpowered and wooden-structured [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] which was unable to take-off at its designed
maximum weight.
Giovanni Casiraghi, an experienced engineer who had previously worked in the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] for several years, re-engineered the aircraft, giving it a metallic structure.
Still not entirely satisfied, he started another, almost new project, the P.108, and initial developments resulted in the P.108B.
Despite some competition (the winner was initially seen as the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]), Piaggio won the Regia Aeronautica's contract for a new bomber, as it became obvious that the other competitors could not deliver useful numbers of
aircraft to the Royal Air Force before the mid 1940s.
Most of the P.108Cs were subsequently modified for use as [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and could accommodate up to 60 passengers.
P.108B
Design and development
The P.108 was the only four-engine heavy bomber used by the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] during World War II, and was a
development of the earlier underpowered and wooden-structured [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] which was unable to take-off at its designed
maximum weight.
Giovanni Casiraghi, an experienced engineer who had previously worked in the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] for several years, re-engineered the aircraft, giving it a metallic structure.
Still not entirely satisfied, he started another, almost new project, the P.108, and initial developments resulted in the P.108B.
Despite some competition (the winner was initially seen as the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]), Piaggio won the Regia Aeronautica's contract for a new bomber, as it became obvious that the other competitors could not deliver useful numbers of
aircraft to the Royal Air Force before the mid 1940s.
Triptick- CLUB
- Messages : 579
Re: Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere
par Triptick Jeu 11 Fév 2010, 15:58
The first prototype P.108B flew on 24 November 1939.
The "teething problems" of the P.108 involved a very long period of debugging, and the process of improving its reliability was never totally successful.
The first machines were sent to the 274th Squadron (274ma Squadriglia) in 1941.
On 7 August 1941, [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the son of Italian dictator [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and commander of the 274th squadron, was piloting one of the prototypes of the "secret" bomber.
He flew too low and crashed into a house.
The cockpit section separated from the rest of the aircraft and although the aircraft did not catch fire, it was nevertheless totally destroyed in the impact.
Mussolini died of his injuries.
The "teething problems" of the P.108 involved a very long period of debugging, and the process of improving its reliability was never totally successful.
The first machines were sent to the 274th Squadron (274ma Squadriglia) in 1941.
On 7 August 1941, [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the son of Italian dictator [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and commander of the 274th squadron, was piloting one of the prototypes of the "secret" bomber.
He flew too low and crashed into a house.
The cockpit section separated from the rest of the aircraft and although the aircraft did not catch fire, it was nevertheless totally destroyed in the impact.
Mussolini died of his injuries.
Triptick- CLUB
- Messages : 579
Re: Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere
par Triptick Jeu 11 Fév 2010, 15:59
By the end of 1941, the P.108B had flown just 391 flying hours which does not compare favorably with the 9,293 hours flown by the first 12 B-17s.
Nonetheless, the new bomber showed much promise.
The average Italian bomber cost around 2.1 million [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] cost 1.7 million lire, while the P.108 cost 5.2 million lire.
With a single squadron of nine P.108s capable of flying 1,100 km (700 mi) with 3,500 kg (7,700 lb), the estimated efficiency was comparable to a group of 26 SM.79s covering 1,000 km (620 mi) with 1,000 kg (2,200 lb).
The total cost of the aircraft was 46.8 and 45.6 million lire respectively, but only 54 crew were required to man the P.108s compared to 130 required to man the SM.79s.
Nonetheless, the new bomber showed much promise.
The average Italian bomber cost around 2.1 million [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] cost 1.7 million lire, while the P.108 cost 5.2 million lire.
With a single squadron of nine P.108s capable of flying 1,100 km (700 mi) with 3,500 kg (7,700 lb), the estimated efficiency was comparable to a group of 26 SM.79s covering 1,000 km (620 mi) with 1,000 kg (2,200 lb).
The total cost of the aircraft was 46.8 and 45.6 million lire respectively, but only 54 crew were required to man the P.108s compared to 130 required to man the SM.79s.
Triptick- CLUB
- Messages : 579
Re: Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere
par Triptick Jeu 11 Fév 2010, 16:00
The P.108B's engines were designed to be more powerful than those propelling the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], and most of its defensive gun
turrets were remote-controlled, but its reliability fell short of the typical Allied heavy bombers, and this type remained relatively unknown until the 1970s.
The second series, designated P.108B II, were a revised sub-category having had the nose [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] removed.
While this reduced defence against head-on attacks, the aircraft was operated mainly at night.
The speed gain was 10 km/h (6 mph), due to the weight reduction and the more aerodynamic nose.
turrets were remote-controlled, but its reliability fell short of the typical Allied heavy bombers, and this type remained relatively unknown until the 1970s.
The second series, designated P.108B II, were a revised sub-category having had the nose [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] removed.
While this reduced defence against head-on attacks, the aircraft was operated mainly at night.
The speed gain was 10 km/h (6 mph), due to the weight reduction and the more aerodynamic nose.
Triptick- CLUB
- Messages : 579
Re: Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere
par Triptick Jeu 11 Fév 2010, 16:10
Technical details
The P.108 was an all-metal, four-engine bomber, with a crew of eight. It had a very robust modern structure
(with a 6 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] tolerance) designed by Giovanni Casiraghi, and built almost entirely of [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
Provision for the crew included a two-pilot [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] with five to six crew members located in the mid-[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and nose; like early [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the P.108 had no tail turret. The most noticeable feature was the nose, having a separate structure for the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], with the front turret above him;
similar to the nose of the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] with the lower part protruding from the rest.
The P.108's tail was even larger, because of the need to stabilise the heavy, powerful aircraft
(30,000 kg/66,000 lb and up to 4,500 kW/6,000 hp at take-off, around 20% heavier than early B-17s).
The P.108 was an all-metal, four-engine bomber, with a crew of eight. It had a very robust modern structure
(with a 6 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] tolerance) designed by Giovanni Casiraghi, and built almost entirely of [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
Provision for the crew included a two-pilot [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] with five to six crew members located in the mid-[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and nose; like early [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the P.108 had no tail turret. The most noticeable feature was the nose, having a separate structure for the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], with the front turret above him;
similar to the nose of the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] with the lower part protruding from the rest.
The P.108's tail was even larger, because of the need to stabilise the heavy, powerful aircraft
(30,000 kg/66,000 lb and up to 4,500 kW/6,000 hp at take-off, around 20% heavier than early B-17s).
Triptick- CLUB
- Messages : 579
Re: Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere
par Triptick Jeu 11 Fév 2010, 16:13
Engines and performance
Piaggio was one of the few Italian aviation industries that had the capability to develop both aircraft and engines; their P.XII engines, although unreliable, were among the most powerful of their time.
[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] was a much larger concern that also designed and manufactured airframes and powerplants, but limited its production to aircraft like the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] Cicogna, a conventional [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
The P.108 was equipped with four air-cooled 18-cylinder P.XII radial engines, which always suffered from
reliability problems, but produced 1,010 kW (1,350 hp) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft), with 1,120 kW (1,500 hp) at takeoff,
and drove three-blade constant-speed Piaggio propellers.
The P.XII was basically two Piaggio P.X engines in tandem, which were versions of the French [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] Mistral made under license, themselves being license-built [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]. [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] also lacked a powerful,
modern engine, and its 1,010 kW (1,350 hp) AR.132s were two [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in tandem.
Piaggio was one of the few Italian aviation industries that had the capability to develop both aircraft and engines; their P.XII engines, although unreliable, were among the most powerful of their time.
[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] was a much larger concern that also designed and manufactured airframes and powerplants, but limited its production to aircraft like the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] Cicogna, a conventional [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
The P.108 was equipped with four air-cooled 18-cylinder P.XII radial engines, which always suffered from
reliability problems, but produced 1,010 kW (1,350 hp) at 3,000 m (9,800 ft), with 1,120 kW (1,500 hp) at takeoff,
and drove three-blade constant-speed Piaggio propellers.
The P.XII was basically two Piaggio P.X engines in tandem, which were versions of the French [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] Mistral made under license, themselves being license-built [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]. [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] also lacked a powerful,
modern engine, and its 1,010 kW (1,350 hp) AR.132s were two [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in tandem.
Triptick- CLUB
- Messages : 579
Re: Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere
par Triptick Jeu 11 Fév 2010, 16:17
Its 12 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] could hold around 12,000 [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] (3,100 US gal), and the eight [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] tanks, two for each engine, held a total of 350 L (90 US gal).
The combination of a heavy airframe and powerful engines resulted in high fuel consumption, and the P.108's performance at high altitude was mediocre, with a practical ceiling of about 6,000 m (19,700 ft) and a theoretical
8,000 m (26,300 ft).
By comparison, the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]C was capable of attaining a 3,000 m (9,840 ft) higher ceiling.
The P.108 could reach speeds of 420 km/h (260 mph) at 4,300 m (14,100 ft), which was slower than several types of [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
Whereas the B-17C was capable of 515 km/h (319 mph) at over 7,000 m (23,000 ft) and so was practically immune to [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] interception until 1942; even if its range and bombload, 3,220 km (2,000 mi) with 1,800 kg (4,000 lb), were slightly inferior to those of the P.108's 3,335 km (2,070 mi) with 2,000 kg (4,400 lb).
The combination of a heavy airframe and powerful engines resulted in high fuel consumption, and the P.108's performance at high altitude was mediocre, with a practical ceiling of about 6,000 m (19,700 ft) and a theoretical
8,000 m (26,300 ft).
By comparison, the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]C was capable of attaining a 3,000 m (9,840 ft) higher ceiling.
The P.108 could reach speeds of 420 km/h (260 mph) at 4,300 m (14,100 ft), which was slower than several types of [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
Whereas the B-17C was capable of 515 km/h (319 mph) at over 7,000 m (23,000 ft) and so was practically immune to [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] interception until 1942; even if its range and bombload, 3,220 km (2,000 mi) with 1,800 kg (4,000 lb), were slightly inferior to those of the P.108's 3,335 km (2,070 mi) with 2,000 kg (4,400 lb).
Triptick- CLUB
- Messages : 579
Re: Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere
par Triptick Jeu 11 Fév 2010, 16:20
The aircraft could fly 2,500 km (1,600 mi) with a bombload of 3,500 kg (7,700 lb), and 3,600 km (2,200 mi) with 600 kg
(1,300 lb). Though much better than a typical Italian bomber (800-900 km/500-560 mi carrying 1,000 kg/2,200 lb), this was not impressive compared to the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], able to fly 3,100 km (1,900 mi) carrying 4,000 kg (8,800 lb), and the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], about 3,220 km (2,000 mi) with the same load.
Even SM.82s, normally with around half of the P-108's fuel (around 5,500 L/1,500 US gal), were able to reach long-range targets, such as Gibraltar, when adapted to carry the necessary additional fuel.
(1,300 lb). Though much better than a typical Italian bomber (800-900 km/500-560 mi carrying 1,000 kg/2,200 lb), this was not impressive compared to the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], able to fly 3,100 km (1,900 mi) carrying 4,000 kg (8,800 lb), and the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], about 3,220 km (2,000 mi) with the same load.
Even SM.82s, normally with around half of the P-108's fuel (around 5,500 L/1,500 US gal), were able to reach long-range targets, such as Gibraltar, when adapted to carry the necessary additional fuel.
Triptick- CLUB
- Messages : 579
Re: Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere
par Triptick Jeu 11 Fév 2010, 16:21
Bomb load
The P.108 had a large bomb bay which was capable of carrying either:
The bomb bay was located centrally in the fuselage, and divided longitudinally into three sections which prevented it from carrying heavier bombs like the 800 kg (1,800 lb) types.
This was a considerable limitation, and similar to the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the P.108 was hampered by having a bomb bay divided into insufficiently large sections, whereas the SM.82 was capable of accommodating larger loads (being able to be used both in transport and the bomber role).
In the torpedo-bomber configuration, three torpedoes could be carried under the belly and the wings.
The P.108 had a large bomb bay which was capable of carrying either:
- 7 × 250 or 500 kg (550 or 1,100 lb) bombs.
- 34 × 100 kg/220 lb (true weight: 129 kg/284 lb).
- 38 × 50 kg/110 lb (true weight: 69 kg/152 lb) bombs.
The bomb bay was located centrally in the fuselage, and divided longitudinally into three sections which prevented it from carrying heavier bombs like the 800 kg (1,800 lb) types.
This was a considerable limitation, and similar to the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the P.108 was hampered by having a bomb bay divided into insufficiently large sections, whereas the SM.82 was capable of accommodating larger loads (being able to be used both in transport and the bomber role).
In the torpedo-bomber configuration, three torpedoes could be carried under the belly and the wings.
Triptick- CLUB
- Messages : 579
Re: Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere
par Triptick Jeu 11 Fév 2010, 16:23
Defensive armament
The defensive armament of the first P.108 series consisted of eight [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
One Breda "O" 12.7 mm (.5 in) with 450 rounds was fitted in the nose, and a Breda "G9" 12.7 mm (.5 in) in a retractable ventral turret, with 400-450 rpg. In addition to these two fully hydraulically-powered turrets, there were two 7.7 mm (.303 in) guns in the flanks, with 500 rpg.
The wing armament, which constituted the main defence of the aircraft, consisted of two radio-controlled, hydraulically-powered Breda "Z" turrets with 600 rpg in the inner-engine wing gondolas, linked to one of the two cupolas in the fuselage "hump", with an operator in each.
The wing turrets represented the most innovative aspect of the P.108's technology.
Although considered a very advanced design, the operational suitability of the wing gondola turret installations was questionable.
The defensive armament of the first P.108 series consisted of eight [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].
One Breda "O" 12.7 mm (.5 in) with 450 rounds was fitted in the nose, and a Breda "G9" 12.7 mm (.5 in) in a retractable ventral turret, with 400-450 rpg. In addition to these two fully hydraulically-powered turrets, there were two 7.7 mm (.303 in) guns in the flanks, with 500 rpg.
The wing armament, which constituted the main defence of the aircraft, consisted of two radio-controlled, hydraulically-powered Breda "Z" turrets with 600 rpg in the inner-engine wing gondolas, linked to one of the two cupolas in the fuselage "hump", with an operator in each.
The wing turrets represented the most innovative aspect of the P.108's technology.
Although considered a very advanced design, the operational suitability of the wing gondola turret installations was questionable.
Triptick- CLUB
- Messages : 579
Re: Piaggio P.108 Bombardiere
par Triptick Jeu 11 Fév 2010, 16:26
- The wing turrets were vulnerable to battle damage, icing, jamming, and were notoriously unreliable due to the
complexity of the sophisticated gun control and computing device (the hydraulic systems had circuits stretching for several metres to the external engine turrets). - Firepower endurance was adequate for limited combat such as that likely to be encountered during night
missions, but insufficient for the needs of extended combat. A total of 300 rounds, fired at full ROF by the Bredas (no synchronizer present, different to fighter installations) was enough for only 25 seconds of use
(around 12 two-second bursts). American bombers generally had 500 rounds for each 12.7 mm (.5 in) gun and often carried extra ammunition. - In contrast with the fuselage turrets, there was no possibility of maintaining, reloading or repair while on a
mission. - The mainly rear-directed field of fire was poor, partially blocked by the tail surfaces, with fire in a frontal arc
possible only with high degrees of elevation (avoiding the propellers, again due to the lack of a synchronizer), and no capability against targets below. - If these turrets were disabled, the P.108 was left with only two 12.7 mm (.5 in) and two 7.7 mm (.303 in) machine guns, leaving many blind spots all around the bomber, because none of the flank, nose, or ventral guns' fields of fire covered attacks from the rear or above.
Triptick- CLUB
- Messages : 579
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