Fiat RS.14
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| RS.14 | |
|---|---|
| Type | long-range maritime reconnaissance floatplane |
| Manufacturer | Fiat |
| Designed by | Manlio Stiavelli |
| Maiden flight | May 1939 |
| Introduced | May 1941 |
| Primary users | Regia Aeronautica Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force |
| Produced | May 1941 - September 1943 |
| Number built | 188 (includes 2 prototypes) |
The Fiat RS.14 was an Italian long-range maritime strategic reconnaissance floatplane.
Contents |
[edit] Development
The RS.14 was designed by Manlio Stiavelli at the CMASA works at Marina di Pisa. The first of two prototypes flew in May 1939. The RS.14 was a four/five seat all-metal cantilever low/mid-wing monoplane powered by two wing-mounted 840 hp (626 kW) Fiat A.74 RC engines. It had a conventional cantilever tail unit with a single fin and rudder. Its undercarriage consisted of two large floats on struts. It had a glazed nose for an observer or bomb aimer. The pilot and copilot sat side-by-side with a wireless operator's compartment behind them. In the bombing role the RS.14 was fitted with a long ventral gondola to carry various combinations of anti-submarine bombs (up to 400 kg, 882 lb).
A prototype landplane version AS.14 was built and first flown on 11 August 1943. It was designed as a ground attack aircraft and intended to be armed with a 37-mm cannon and 12.7 (0.5 in) machine guns. It was not ordered and no others were built.
[edit] Operational history
The RS.14 went into service with the Italian Air Force with a number of maritime strategic reconnaissance squadrons at bases around the Italian coast and also in Sicily and Sardinia. They were used for convoy escort duties and anti-submarine patrols. After the 1943 Armistice a few survivors were operated by the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force. At the end of the war the aircraft were used for liaison duties around the Mediterranean carrying up to four passengers.
[edit] Variants
- RS.14
- Production floatplane with 840 hp (626 kW) Fiat A.74 RC engines, 188 built including two prototypes.
- AS.14
- Landplane version with retractable landing gear, one built.
[edit] Operators
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[edit] Specifications
Data from Donald, 1997, pg 413.
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 14.1 m (46 ft 3.25 in)
- Wingspan: 19.54 m (64 ft 1.25 in)
- Height: 5.63 m (18 ft 5.75 in)
- Wing area: 50 m² (538.21 ft²)
- Empty weight: 5,470 kg (12,059 lb)
- Gross weight: 8,470 kg (18,673 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Fiat A.74 RC 38 14-cylinder radial piston, 626 kW (840 hp) each each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 390 km/h (242 mph)
- Range: 2,500 km (1,553 miles)
- Service ceiling: 6,300 m (20,670 ft)
Armament
- 1 x 12.7-mm (0.5-in) machine-gun
- 2 x 7.7-mm (0.303-in) machine-guns
- up to 400 kg (882 lb) of bombs
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. (1997). Ed. Donald, David. Prospero Books. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
- Mondey, David (1984), The Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II, Chancellor Press, ISBN 1 85152 966 7
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 1812
[edit] See also
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