Today i bring you this Italian never-were that was designed by Celestino Rosatelli, the same designer who designed the Fiat Cr.32 or the Cr.42.
In his memories he included some line drawings of a twin-engined airplane capable of performing various roles:
- - Assault/Dive bomber
-Torpedo Bomber
-Night Fighter
Initially it was designed to be powered by two Daimler-Benz DB603A or DB605 engines, and most probably if a prototype had been made it would've been powered by any of those, but the Regia Aeronautica prefered to employ radial engines in their ground attack airplanes because they lacked radiators and water tanks and therefore the risk of being hit in any of those weak spot was minor.
The design included some, for the time and Regia Aeronautica, new features like armoured frame, fire extinguishers, large control surfaces and good stability guaranteed by the long tail.
It was to be armed with four 20mm cannons in the wings and a defensive 12,7mm machine gun in the rear of the canopy.
The crew was expected to consist on two members, one pilot and a gunner-radio operator seated in the back with an armoured seat that could rotate 180º.
The armistice of 1943 prevented this project to become a reality.
And ,although it's widely accepted that this designed was inspired by the German Bf.110, that's not true. The design that was inspired by the Bf.110 was the also unbuilt cannoniere santangelo. This one was rather inspired by the British Mosquito.
And last but not least, thanks to Eswube for his review on this one.
Italy, Fiat R.23