Italian Carrier Projects ?

The Italians had to my knowledge plans to convert two ships into carriers, the Aquira and the Sparviero. Did they, like the Germans, make navalized versions of aircraft for use on these projected carriers ?

Thanks.

 

As far as I know, they did not. I don't think the Germans ever put any of their navalized aircraft into production, either. Not mass production, anyway.

 

The aircraft planned for Aquila and Sparviero was the Re 2001. There were several variants, but none was ever truly carrier-capable. The Re 2001 Serie I included twelve units experimentally fitted with arrestor gear for land-based training. That's the farthest things progressed. Total production of Re 2001's reached 237 planes, and the design seems to have been a decent one, though not great.

 

Thanks Tiornu !

That´s interesting information. But no plans for torpedo or dive-bombers then ?

 

Hello Skua a link on the Italian carrier project and the Regia Marina during WWII.
http://www.regiamarina.it/carriers.htm

 

Thanks Patrice.

Nice site. I see they almost finished one of the carriers.

 

Sub-types of the Re 2001 were planned as torpedo planes.

 

Lash-ups are no substitute for a properly designed type.

 

The Germans did a 190 mod with a torpedo. This entailed an extended rear wheel strut which, to me, seems a really poor idea for carrier use.

 

Boy, I'll say! A single seat torpedo plane does not seem like a good idea to me.

 

it was used as an anti-shiping operation , not for the ill fated graf zeppelin
it was 2 models:
FW 190 F-8/U2 and U3 armed with BT 700 for the U2 and the BT 1400 for the other
FW 190 F-8/U14 armed with a LT F5 torpedo

 

Actually, the distinct trend was toward single-seat torpedo planes. I really wish we could've seen the F7F in action. The US also developed the BTD and the BTM (leading into the Skyraider family). Britain had, almost by accident, the Firebrand and then the Wyvern.

 

But none of those types was, IIRC, a torpedo bomber. Especially the F7F, which was a fighter.

 

They were all intended to carry torpedoes.

 

Firebrand & Wyvern were dedicated torpedo bombers.

 

Just out of curiosity, since I don't know the first thing about torpedo bombers, why is that Casselbury?!

Regards!

- Mr.Bluenote.

 

Having a crew on board frees the pilot from having to focus on anything other than flying the plane, Mr. Bluenote. Especially good on torpedo bombers, which have to fly at precise speeds and altitudes in order to make a successful drop.

 

In 1945, the American Mk 13 was designed for drops from 2400 feet and a speed of 410 knots. This is not especially taxing, certainly less so than trying a deflection shot at an enemy fighter going 400 knots.

 

Ah, yes, I see! Thank you, Casselbury!

Best regards!

- Mr.Bluenote.

 

But during the 'bombing' run the pilot flies the plane & drops the torpedo. The rest of the crew are dead weight. Unless it includes a gunner, obviously.