Piaggio p 108 3d

[Xilon_x]

PIAGGIO P.108B II "Italian Heavy Bomber"

The Piaggio P.108 B was the only heavy four-engine bomber to see service with the Italian air force (Regia Aeronautica) during World War Two. Due to the lack of production capacity of the Italian aviation industry, too few were built to play a significant role in this conflict. In total Piaggio built only 163 P.108 Bs, but this fact does not make the design less remarkable.

The Piaggio P.108 B (Bombardiere) was an all metal cantilever low-wing monoplane with an retractable undercarriage, driven by four Piaggio P.XII RC 35 18 cylinder radial engines, each producing 1350 hp. The first prototype was finished in October 1939 and had a very advanced defensive armament for its day. Not only had the Piaggio two 7,7 mm machine waist guns, a 12,7 mm machine gun in the lower turret and a similar weapon in the nose turret, but also two remotely-controlled twin gun turrets in outer engine nacelles. The first Allied bomber with a similar armament was the Boeing B 29, which was developed four years later.

The bomb load of the Piaggio comprised of 3.500 kg, all carried internally in the bomb bay. In comparison, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress had a maximum internal bomb load of only 2.200-kg.

The only unit of the Regia Aeronautica ever to fly the Piaggio P.108 B was the 274a Squadrilia Bombardamento a Grande Raggio (B.G.R.), the 274th Long-Range Bombardment Group. This unit was formed in May 1941, around the first machines that came off the assembly lines.

The training of the crews lasted far longer than anticipated. It there took until June 1942 before the 274a B.G.R. became operational. The most spectacular raids with the Piaggio P. 108 B were flown in October 1942, when the Regia Aeronautica launched several night attacks on Gibraltar, from the airfield of Decimomannu on Sardinia.

Several versions were derived from the Piaggio P. 108 B, such as the P.108 A (Artigliere), which had a 102 mm anti-shipping gun in it’s nose, the P.108 C (Civile) airliner and the P.108 T (Trasporto). The latter two versions had a newly designed fuselage of larger diameter, for the transportation of passengers or freight. They were hardly used by the Regia Aeronautica, the main user being the German Luftwaffe. In September 1943, after the Italian armistice, the Luftwaffe had captured all fifteen built P.108 Cs and P.108 Ts. They were used at the Russian front, as part of Luftflotte 2, where they performed sterling duties, among others during the evacuation of the Crimea in 1944.


Twee uitvoeringen mogelijk;


Piaggio P.108B (MM 22004) manufactured as series I, reconstructed to standard of II. series. On january 13, 1943 the aircraft commanded by Cap.Semprini and Ten. Cervi did not return from a raid against the port of Algiers.
Piaggio P.108B (MM 24325) the last machine taken out over by Regia Aeronautica, pilot Ten.Gmeiner. After september 8, 1943 it was taken over on the airfield Grottaglie in Puglia by the US Army Air Force.

[Xilon_x]

this is american jeep this photo edit in Grottaglie south italy puglia and this is p108 captured from allied.

[Xilon_x]

The crash of the Piaggio P.108B SN. 22003 (Pisa, 1 August 1941) caused the death of Capt. Bruno Mussolini, Commander of the 274th Squadron and son of the "Duce" Benito Mussolini and Rachele Guidi

Capt.BRUNO MUSSOLINI AND YOUR TEAM ARE DEAD.

[Xilon_x]

Rare Photo 3 P108 flight in formation:


all Version piaggio p108

[Xilon_x]

Piaggio P108 Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Biwh09vjwAQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bylFf...eature=related

ORIGINAL DOCUMENT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG99i...eature=related

[bf-110]

Originally Posted by Fenice_1965

Nice model. Probably the best I've ever seen.
My father was part of the 274^ squadriglia and flew the p108 (gunner) during WWII. The aircraft is known most for the death of Mussolini's son, but partecipated to some actions against allies (unfortunately in desperate conditions...my father told me that usually they fought in groups of no more than 6 planes, without escort..).
I cannot hide my emotions... It could be fantastic to have it on IL2.
S

Man,that must be awesome!

And fantastico,Xilon X.

[Fenice_1965]

Xilon, you have a lot of matherial I've never seen, is there a book where you founf al of it ?.
It could be interesting to know Daidalos opinion about the possibility to build a plane for IL2 from that matherial.

[Xilon_x]

Fenice_1965 i find for you this book i post in past time in this forum.

DOWNLOAD here:
http://www.ebook3000.com/Ali-d-Itali...108_70707.html
this book in english and italian lenguagge.

[Xilon_x]

AFTER PIAGGIO P108 this is the last project PIAGGIO P.133





BUT is it a secret italian project never never 100% complete.fac-simile to B24

[Fenice_1965]

Ty very much Xilon.
~S~