Piaggio P.108 - Knowledge (XXG)

409:. Whereas the B-17C was capable of 515 km/h (319 mph) at over 7,000 m (23,000 ft), 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 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 Avro Lancaster, able to fly 3,100 km (1,900 mi) carrying 4,000 kg (8,800 lb), and the 526:

Albenga. It was presented as the new official attack machine at Furbara on 22 May, and it was planned to build five further P.108As, as well as converting between five or possibly all P.108s available. But on 29 June, it was decided to produce no more than five aircraft, and in July, the order was further limited to two, and eventually cancelled. On 6 and 8 September, the lone P.108A made other weapons tests over the sea, finally equipped with the S.Giorgio calibration/aiming system. German forces took control of the P.108A and painted it in their insignia, but it was damaged soon afterwards by Allied bombing. Repaired by 7 April 1944, it finally flew to Rechlin where it was probably destroyed in one of the many Allied bombing raids.

455:. 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 rounds per gun. In addition to these two fully hydraulically powered turrets, there were two 7.7 mm (.303 in) guns in the flanks, with 500 rounds per gun. The wing armament consisted of two remote-controlled, hydraulically powered Breda "Z" turrets with 600 rounds per gun in the outer-engine wing nacelles, 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. 828: 962: 941: 487:

to 102 mm (4 in), a non-standard Italian artillery calibre, and fired shells weighing 13 kg (29 lb) as opposed to the standard gun's 10 kg (22 lb), with a muzzle velocity of over 600 m/s (1,970 ft/s).The gun together with its recoil system weighed 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Due to it being a re-bored smaller gun, its weight was relatively low for its calibre.

278: 987: 467: 2015: 2039: 2027: 29: 240:, 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. Commander Bruno Mussolini died from his injuries. 844:

Following the P.108Bs' last missions, a few P.108T transports continued to be used until the end of the war, mainly on the Eastern Front when Germany needed to evacuate their encircled troops, even carrying over 100 troops at a time (maximum load was 12 tonnes/13 tons, the total payload was

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This aircraft was too complex and difficult to develop without support from the Air ministry and other larger concerns, such as Fiat. None was forthcoming, and while Piaggio was still struggling to fine-tune and produce the P.108B, there were many other requests for the 'C' model airliner, the P.108T

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on 16 April, where it carried out a series of firing trials at altitudes between 1,500 and 4,500 m (4,900 and 14,800 ft) to collect the ballistic data that was required to allow the computing gunsight to be produced. After totalling 24 hr, 40 min of flight and weapons trials, it returned to

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P.108s and B-17s had three turrets as main defensive armament, but the latter also had ventral, dorsal and tail gun positions. The P.108 had fewer machine guns (eight instead of 10 to 13), no dorsal or tail turret, while the ventral turret had only one machine gun. Two further turrets were placed in

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for Italy. The two others remained in Spain: MM.22001 crashed on a beach when it was approaching Valencia airport and was written off, MM.22005 suffered minor damage and was stored at San Javier air base but was repaired and tested by the Spanish Air Force. Several other missions were launched until

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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, whereas the SM.82 was capable of accommodating larger loads (being able to

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For a chronology, there were sorties to Gibraltar (without the endurance problems that dogged the first mission), during the night of 3 July (MM.22601 failed to return), 24 September (MM22004 and 22603), 20 October (MM.22002 (written off during an emergency landing after engine failure on takeoff),

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The gun was mounted longitudinally in the fuselage centreline, at a depressed angle, and had a powerful recoil, which the 27 tonne (30 ton) airframe was able to absorb. The amount of ammunition that could be carried was around 50-60 rounds for the main gun, as well as up to three standard

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gun mounted in a redesigned nose. This was considered the most effective artillery piece in service, and in several versions was used as an anti-aircraft and anti-tank gun by the Army and the Navy. To be more effective in its new role, the size of the gun was increased from 90 mm (3.5 in)

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The P.108 was equipped with four air-cooled 18-cylinder P.XII radial engines, which 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.

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The last of the 24 P.108Bs ordered was delivered in August. Of these aircraft, six were lost to enemy action (three over Algeria, two over Sicily and perhaps one over Spain), four to accidents (including the one involving Bruno Mussolini) and three to forced landings (one in Algeria and two over

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capable of carrying 32 passengers, and the P.108T transport version designed specifically for military use. Only one P.108A and 24 P.108Bs were built. The combined total number of all versions (and prototypes) was at least 39, almost certainly more than 44. Most of the P.108Cs were subsequently

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first flew on 24 November 1939 and it entered service in 1941. It was one of a handful of Italian combat aircraft that could match the best manufactured by the Allies. Four versions of the P.108 were designed, but only one, the P.108B bomber, was produced in any quantity before the armistice. The

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When the armistice was declared on 8 September 1943, only nine aircraft remained. Eight were sabotaged so as not to fall into German hands, the last one was flown to southern Italy, where it was involved in a landing accident. P.108Bs ended their activities with a total of about 15 missions over

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and some artillery positions on the ground and further unspecified damage, the strategic objective of forcing the Allies to concentrate resources to defend this island had been met, in the same way that only four S.82s had forced the British to allocate defenses and resources to defend the oil

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to accommodate 32 passengers in a wider fuselage, but no armament. The prototype first flew on 16 July 1942, when there were no longer any transatlantic lines to serve. Despite this, and the inability of Piaggio to deliver P.108B bombers on time, an order for a further five P.108Cs was placed.

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5 operated most of these aircraft and used them until the end of the war, with one assigned to the links between Italy and Germany and the other on the Eastern front. On 10 August 1944, an air raid destroyed six of them. Another four were destroyed or captured in 1945. The P.108T-2, a postwar

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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

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cost 1.7 million, while the P.108 cost 5.2 million. This would seem to favor the smaller bomber. But in a comparison to deliver a given weight of bombs at the same distance, the P.108B had the advantage. With a single squadron of nine P.108s capable of flying 1,100 km (700 mi) with

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On Grottaglie airfield, Italy, pilots, Flight Lieutenant L. Wynne of Yorks, England, Squadron Leader Brian Eaton of Melbourne, Vic, Flight Lieutenant Harris DFC of Adelaide, SA, talk to an Italian pilot who has just brought his four engined Piaggio P.108 bomber aircraft from Northern

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Although the P.108A proved to be capable, and fired over 280 shells in testing, the Armistice and the never-ending change of priorities halted its development. The use of such large aircraft in a dangerous anti-ship role was however questionable (though the US Army Air Corps used the

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around 14 tonnes/15 tons). The P-108Cs and Ts proved to be more reliable than the bombers, following successful efforts to improve and modify them. One was destroyed in a flying accident over Germany, early in 1945, while the others were used until the end of the war.

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or two radio-guided torpedoes (a secret weapon which was never used in combat), and for the defensive wing and fuselage turrets. The 102 mm (4 in) gun was intended to be fitted with a ballistic sight with an analogue computer, and a six or 12 round mechanical loader.

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in the ventral turret, and two flank machine guns, all of 12.7 mm (.5 in) calibre, and was capable of 440 km/h (270 mph). Through a ventral door 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide, it was possible to fit two

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The first prototype P.108B flew on 24 November 1939. It performed extremely well in a series of tests and required refining in only a few minor areas, but it took some time for pilots to get used to the new aircraft. The P.108 was delivered to a single unit, the 274a

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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 each 'group' of aircraft required was about the same at 46.8 and 45.6 million

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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).

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The final action took place over Sicily, when the 274ma was reinforced to a total of eight. They flew 12 sorties against the invasion force between 11 and 22 July. Losses included two aircraft destroyed and two others badly damaged, mainly by Beaufighter and

712:, two of which (MM.22001 and 22005) crashed or suffered some damage in forced landings. The third (MM.22007) landed in Majorca, a former Italian base in the Spanish Civil War, and thanks to the Spanish pro-Axis policy was quickly refueled and took off from 841:

military transport, and the 'A' anti-ship versions. Finally, there was also the new strategic bomber, the P.108bis or P.133 to be developed as the "final solution" for Italian bombers, and other projects, such as the P.126, P.127, P.130 to be considered.

596:. Internal volume was over 77 m³ (2,700 ft³), and could carry up to 60 soldiers, eight torpedoes or 12 tonnes (13 tons) of cargo. After many changes in design, the first P.108T flew on 7 September 1942. Although the 148ma 793:

had only eight P.108s and with them performed only 28 sorties in eight night missions, during a whole month. Three were shot down by night fighters, which on only one occasion were repelled by the wing turrets. Two P.108s were shot down by

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refineries at Manama in the Persian Gulf. On 28 October, MM22007 force-landed in Algeria on its third sortie, making in total at least 16 sorties with one aircraft missing, two interned in Spain, two lost in Algeria and one lost in Italy.

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from 1927 to 1936. On the basis of his experience he designed a radically new aeroplane. The P.108 was an all-metal low wing bomber with a retractable under-carriage. During the Air Ministry official requirement of 1939, it won the

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The P.108 was unique in the history of Italian aviation, as it was the only four-engine strategic bomber used by the Regia Aeronautica during World War II. It was a development of the earlier underpowered and wooden-structured

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Beaufighters in the attack over Algeria's port and the last of these missions was flown on 20 January. Serviceability dropped to one or two aircraft and so with the need for refurbishment, the P.108s returned to the mainland.

729:, and two other P.108s), when the "peak" was reached. Each of these missions, involving one to four aircraft (15 sorties in total). Despite limited results, as expected from so few aircraft which included the destruction of a 687:

theatres and first saw action in an unsuccessful day mission against a destroyer on 6 June, releasing 10 160 kg (350 lb) bombs. The aircraft were effectively used a few weeks later, with a night bombing raid over

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Some ships were damaged by P.108s in the latter and Algerian raids and over other targets they destroyed some aircraft. These bombers were the only ones capable of flying the 2,000 km (1,240 mi) to Oran. The 274

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in such a role with great success). At sea level, speeds 360 km/h (220 mph) was the best safely achievable, the cost was even greater than that of standard bombers, and the improved naval anti-aircraft defences

708:, one (MM.22004) was forced to return due to engine trouble while the other four bombed with 66 100 kg (220 lb) and six 250 kg (550 lb) bombs. Three of them, short of fuel, were forced to land in 268:

removed. While this reduced defence against head-on attacks, the aircraft was operated mainly at night. The speed gain was ten km/h (six mph), due to weight reduction and the more aerodynamic nose.

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The final development of the P.108, the P.133 prototype, was almost complete by the time of the Armistice (8 September 1943), but the program was dropped soon afterwards and the aircraft was never finished.

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Piaggio was one of the few Italian aviation companies that had the capability to develop both aircraft and engines; their P.XII engines, although unreliable, were among the most powerful of their time.

417:, normally with around half of the P-108's fuel (around 5,500 L/1,500 US gal), was able to reach long-range targets, such as Gibraltar, when adapted to carry the necessary additional fuel. 1361:

the wings, providing a better field of fire, coupled with the wide field of view from the cupolas placed in the dorsal fuselage, but this complex and innovative layout was not without shortcomings.

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s contract for a new bomber over the CANT Z.1014 as it became obvious that the other competitors could not deliver useful numbers of aircraft to the Italian Royal Air Force before the mid-1940s.

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C was capable of attaining a 3,000 m (9,840 ft) higher ceiling. The figure for the Italian bomber was comparable to contemporary bombers: the ceiling for the RAF's best bomber, the

625:, with 32 seats) and T (military transport) were more reliable than the bomber variants, and their capability of carrying heavy loads (such as two dismantled fighters) was important, as the 559:

While the P.108B's troubled development continued, Piaggio's workload was further stressed by the request for new transport aircraft, capable of long-range flights to South America for

665:, with a potential speed of 490 km/h (304 mph), six 20 mm cannons, four 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine guns and a bomb load of up to 4,800 kg (10,600 lb). 1203: 746:", more losses were sustained when these aircraft flew missions over Algeria and other African targets. The Allies had over 160 warships and 250 merchant ships in the region. The 668:

Six P.133 were under construction when the Armistice was signed with one 90% completed. This one was hidden in a Liguria cave, but it was soon dismantled by the Piaggio workers.

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Production totals of the P108C and T are unclear, but combined there were approximately 16 built, with most of the P108Cs subsequently converted to the transport version.

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was intended to use both P.108Cs and P.108Ts, only a few were built before the Germans took control of production, subsequently at least 11 other examples were completed.

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By the end of 1941, the P.108B had demonstrated just 391 flying hours. Nonetheless, the new bomber showed much promise. The average Italian bomber cost around 2.1 million

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October, which resulted in some damage and further losses. An attempt to change to SM.82s was an expedient (as was the P.108, expecting more from the future P.133).

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had 285 aircraft in Sardinia of which 115 were torpedo-bombers. At least three were downed over Africa in this series of raids, for the most part claimed by

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Giraud, Roger (April 1976). "Les Piaggio de Bombardement, en petits raids hasardeux... (5)" [The Piaggio Bombers: Little Hazardous Raids, Part 5].

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In 1943 was being studied also a commercial version for civilian passengers (named P.133C) with a range of 5000 kms, but it was never made a prototype.

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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.

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The P.108B's engines were designed to be more powerful than those propelling the B-17, and most of its defensive gun turrets were remote-controlled.

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Testing of the P.108A was satisfactory, achieving a maximum speed of around 440 km/h (270 mph) due to aerodynamic redesigning. It flew to

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was similar, while the USAAF's B-17, B-24 and later B-29 were unusual in being able to gain such altitudes. This was due to their installed

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was a much larger company that also designed and manufactured airframes and powerplants, but limited its production to aircraft like the

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Gibraltar, 28 over North Africa, 12 over Sicily and some other reconnaissance and anti-shipping sorties (of which only one is known).

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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

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It was designed to have a lighter structure and several improvements in performance, which were partially influenced by a captured

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Although considered a very advanced design, the operational suitability of the wing nacelle turret installations was questionable:

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The P.108 was an all-metal, four-engine bomber, with a crew of eight. It had a very robust modern structure (with a six

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Civilian (and military Transport) version of the P.133 with autonomy of 5000 kms. Only studied with project in 1943.

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as an "interim" transport, awaiting the P.126C and even the P.127C six-engined variant. They were planned to have a

2079: 2059: 1581: 755: 228:(274th Squadron), in 1941. But there were several accidents, one of them involving the son of Italian dictator 209: 314:, the P.108 had no tail turret. The most noticeable feature was the nose, having a separate structure for the 1198: 1105: 751: 588: 452: 1246: 1223: 258:

respectively, but only 54 crew were required to man the P.108s compared to 130 required to man the SM.79s.

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as defensive armament, with one in a dorsal turret, one in a ventral position, and two waist positions.

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The P.108 had a large bomb bay which was capable of carrying 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs) of bombs.

1992: 1939: 1156: 1052: 795: 572: 531: 387: 311: 129: 1929: 1924: 1904: 1894: 1889: 1884: 1874: 1869: 1854: 1849: 1839: 1834: 1824: 1819: 1809: 1804: 1799: 1789: 1784: 1779: 1774: 1764: 1749: 1744: 1734: 1729: 1724: 1719: 1714: 1709: 1704: 766: 490:

The P.108A concept was in line with other contemporary developments, as medium bombers such as the

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The designer of the aircraft was Giovanni Casiraghi, an experienced engineer who had worked in the

1679: 1674: 1224:"Piaggio P.108B, Aerei militari, Schede tecniche aerei militari italiani e storia degli aviatori" 634: 700:

The first operation to Gibraltar was almost a disaster; out of five aircraft which set out from

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MM.22004, 22006 and 22007) and 21 October (MM.22602, destroyed during an emergency landing at

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also lacked a powerful, modern engine, and its 1,010 kW (1,350 hp) AR.132s were two

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Advanced version of the P.108B with better engines and increased bombload. Not completed.

1960: 1568: 1181: 1176: 1166: 1161: 1141: 662: 514:. The modifications were completed in February 1943, and testing commenced on 3 March. 479: 410: 398:, as well as doctrinal differences in high altitude precision bombing advocated by the 391: 282: 178: 2053: 1934: 1919: 1914: 1909: 1879: 1859: 1844: 1814: 1794: 1754: 1689: 1684: 1547: 812: 630: 395: 344: 161:

other variants included the P.108A anti-ship aircraft with a 102 mm (4 in)

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version, was proposed but without success, and thus ended the P.108 series history.

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military cargo version was ordered. This unpressurised variant was fitted with one

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The P.XII was two Piaggio P.X engines in tandem, which were versions of the French

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The second series, designated P.108B II, were a revised sub-category with the nose

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18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,120 kW (1,500 hp) each

815:. Only one ship was damaged - this closed the career of 274ma and the P.108B. 540: 510:

Initial modifications were made to MM.24318 which on 16 December 1942 flew to

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did not have many heavy transport aircraft, relying mainly on the smaller

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and could accommodate up to sixty passengers. Nine P.108 Ts were used by

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38 × 50 kg/110 lb (true weight: 69 kg/152 lb) bombs.

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tolerance) designed by Giovanni Casiraghi, and built almost entirely of

285:, the P.108's nose turret was positioned above the bombardier/bomb-aimer 774: 726: 584: 548: 503: 406: 303: 290: 778: 770: 722: 511: 378: 451:

The defensive armament of the first P.108 series consisted of eight

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34 × 100 kg/220 lb (true weight: 129 kg/284 lb).

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made under license, themselves being derived from the license-built

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Pedriali, Ferdinando. "Le Fortezze Volanti Italiane. (in Italian)"

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Civil transport version. Uncertain number built, but probably six.

826: 769:. Nonetheless, in Algeria they struck targets in Bône (now called 709: 498:

were being fitted with high-velocity 75 mm (3 in) guns.

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Intended modification of P.108B with heavier armament. None built

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Following the Allied invasion of French North Africa, codenamed "

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Sgarlato, Nico. "P.108, la Fortezza della Regia". (in Italian)

478:"gunship" was developed for anti-shipping duties to supplement 916:

Transport version. More than 12 (including converted P.108Cs).

413:, about 3,220 km (2,000 mi) with the same load. The 386:

theoretical 8,000 m (26,300 ft). By comparison, the

318:, with the front turret above him, similar to the nose of the 162: 539:, P-F shells, and fire-control radar) led Germany to develop 205:

which was unable to take off at its designed maximum weight.

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Vol. 31 No. 6, December 1986. pp. 298–305, (part 2)."

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The Hamlyn Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II

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Depending on the target - these were uploaded either as:

1451:(Sampson Low Guides). Maidenhead, UK: Sampson Low, 1978. 633:. These aircraft also had four 13 mm (.51 in) 567:

wasn't realised, so in 1940, it was proposed to use the

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List of Regia Aeronautica aircraft used in World War II

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Four P.108Cs and five P.108Ts were handed over to the

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Bignozzi, Giorgio. "The Italian 'Fortress' (part 1)."

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In response to a request in November 1942, the P.108A

2003: 1537:, N.27, March 2007. Parma, Italy: West-ward edizioni. 1462:, Vol. 32 No. 1, January 1987. pp. 29–31, pp. 47–49. 1270: 1268: 1266: 1264: 432:

7 × 250 or 500 kg (550 or 1,100 lb) bombs.

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

563:(LATI). The intention in 1939 to license-build the 119: 111: 103: 98: 88: 69: 57: 43: 38: 21: 1391: 1389: 1387: 1385: 1318: 1316: 1108:and 2 × 7.7 mm (.303 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns 306:with five to six crew members located in the mid- 860:Series 1 : MM 22002—22008, MM 22601—22604 1589: 1569:Special Hobby 72nd Scale Plastic Model Review 1508:(in Italian). Milano: Electa Mondadori, 2006. 1506:Aerei Mililtari: Bombardieri e da Trasporto 2 1082:3,295 km (2,047 mi, 1,779 nmi) 482:. It was armed with a modified high velocity 302:Provisions for the crew included a two-pilot 8: 1469:(in Italian). Rome: Edizioni Bizzarri, 1973. 1247:"Piaggio P.108T, immagini, scheda e storia" 1596: 1582: 1574: 494:and even smaller attack-aircraft like the 187:transport units until the end of the war. 169:with an extended wingspan and re-modelled 18: 1076:475 km/h (295 mph, 256 kn) 1290:Angelucci and Matricardi 1978, p. 226. 644:", was destroyed on Salonicco airfield. 613:, notably during the 1944 evacuation of 2010: 1214: 1449:World Aircraft: World War II, Volume I 1447:Angelucci, Enzo and Paolo Matricardi. 561:Linee Aeree Transcontinentali Italiane 1564:Regia Marina site, with P.108 article 7: 1347: 1345: 1343: 1341: 1339: 1337: 777:, Blinda, Philippeville (now called 1306: 1304: 1302: 1300: 1298: 1296: 94:12 + 1 prototype (P.108T transport) 1493:Cambridge University Press, 2000. 1061:3-bladed constant-speed propellers 1033:135 m (1,450 sq ft) 1015:22.3 m (73 ft 2 in) 92:36 + 1 prototype (P.108B bombers) 14: 1021:32 m (105 ft 0 in) 880:Anti-shipping version. One built. 2037: 2025: 2013: 1554:Piaggio P.108 (Russian language) 1530:, November 1991, pp. 60–65. 1194:List of aircraft of World War II 960: 939: 133:Piaggio P.108 front quarter view 27: 1045:29,885 kg (65,885 lb) 1039:17,325 kg (38,195 lb) 1027:6 m (19 ft 8 in) 982:Specifications (Piaggio P.108B) 889:Heavy bomber version. 24 built. 381:(3,100 US gal), and eight 1515:. London: Bounty Books, 2006. 1088:10,500 m (34,400 ft) 866:Series 3 : MM 24667—24678 863:Series 2 : MM 24315—24326 377:could hold around 12,000 1: 2075:Four-engined tractor aircraft 2065:1930s Italian bomber aircraft 679:P.108Bs were deployed in the 400:United States Army Air Forces 2095:Four-engined piston aircraft 2085:Aircraft first flown in 1939 2070:World War II Italian bombers 1550:SITE IS DOWN 15 October 2007 1114:3,500 kg (7,700 lb) of bombs 492:North American B-25 Mitchell 1152:Consolidated B-24 Liberator 1147:Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 320:Armstrong Whitworth Whitley 144:was an Italian four-engine 2111: 2090:World War II heavy bombers 1405:Piaggio P.133 (in italian) 1274:Matricardi 2006, p. 257. 750:had 1,068 aircraft in the 521:on 19 March, and later to 148:that saw service with the 1477:(in French) (77): 22–23. 1426:Bignozzi 1987, pp. 29–30. 857:Prototype : MM 22001 310:and nose; like the early 26: 1535:Great Planes monographes 1491:Hitler's Italian Allies. 1106:Breda-SAFAT machine guns 453:Breda-SAFAT machine guns 236:, commander of the 274a 1548:P108B.htm Piaggio P.108 1199:List of bomber aircraft 1000:General characteristics 646:Transportfliegerstaffel 640:One example, known as " 375:self-sealing fuel tanks 327:Engines and performance 1331:Bignozzi 1986, p. 305. 1322:Bignozzi 1986, p. 304. 990: 833: 781:), Maison Blanche and 579:On 26 March 1941, the 565:Boeing 307 Stratoliner 471: 312:B-17 Flying Fortresses 286: 196:Design and development 134: 1559:Comando Supremo P.108 1475:Le Fana de l'Aviation 1435:Bignozzi 1987, p. 30. 1395:Bignozzi 1987, p. 48. 1379:Bignozzi 1987, p. 47. 1370:Bignozzi 1987, p. 31. 989: 830: 617:troops following the 469: 316:bombardier/bomb-aimer 280: 132: 1465:Garello, Giancarlo. 1157:Handley Page Halifax 1104:6 × 12.7 mm (.5 in) 1053:Piaggio P.XII R.C.35 621:. The P.108C (civil 532:B-17 Flying Fortress 232:. On 7 August 1941, 174:modified for use as 1504:Matricardi, Paolo. 1416:P.133C (in italian) 1124:Related development 1043:Max takeoff weight: 823:After the armistice 675:Operational history 635:MG 131 machine guns 587:dorsal turret, one 39:General information 991: 834: 738:Algeria and Africa 472: 447:Defensive armament 287: 179:transport aircraft 135: 2080:Low-wing aircraft 2001: 2000: 1489:Knox, MacGregor. 1460:Air International 1456:Air International 953:Regia Aeronautica 692:on 28 June 1942. 619:Crimean Offensive 573:pressurised cabin 537:Bofors 40 mm guns 343:, a conventional 273:Technical details 215:Regia Aeronautica 165:, the P.108C, an 150:Regia Aeronautica 127: 126: 104:Introduction date 75:Regia Aeronautica 2102: 2060:Piaggio aircraft 2042: 2041: 2040: 2030: 2029: 2028: 2018: 2017: 2016: 2009: 1598: 1591: 1584: 1575: 1486: 1467:Il Piaggio P.108 1436: 1433: 1427: 1424: 1418: 1413: 1407: 1402: 1396: 1393: 1380: 1377: 1371: 1368: 1362: 1358: 1352: 1349: 1332: 1329: 1323: 1320: 1311: 1308: 1291: 1288: 1275: 1272: 1259: 1258: 1256: 1254: 1242: 1236: 1235: 1233: 1231: 1219: 1096: 1086:Service ceiling: 1069: 1002: 970: 966: 964: 963: 947:Kingdom of Italy 945: 943: 942: 714:Palma de Majorca 609:and used on the 484:Cannone da 90/53 368:Bristol Mercurys 360:Bristol Jupiters 230:Benito Mussolini 219: 115:24 November 1939 31: 19: 2110: 2109: 2105: 2104: 2103: 2101: 2100: 2099: 2050: 2049: 2048: 2038: 2036: 2026: 2024: 2014: 2012: 2004: 2002: 1997: 1981: 1965: 1954:Piaggio-Douglas 1949: 1608: 1602: 1544: 1511:Mondey, David. 1472: 1444: 1439: 1434: 1430: 1425: 1421: 1414: 1410: 1403: 1399: 1394: 1383: 1378: 1374: 1369: 1365: 1359: 1355: 1350: 1335: 1330: 1326: 1321: 1314: 1309: 1294: 1289: 1278: 1273: 1262: 1252: 1250: 1245:Uomini, Ali E. 1244: 1243: 1239: 1229: 1227: 1222:Uomini, Ali E. 1221: 1220: 1216: 1212: 1121: 1097: 1092: 1065: 998: 984: 961: 959: 958: 940: 938: 935: 871:P.108 Prototype 851: 825: 805: 744:Operation Torch 740: 698: 677: 655: 557: 545:Henschel Hs 293 496:Henschel Hs 129 480:torpedo bombers 470:P108 in flight. 464: 449: 423: 329: 275: 234:Bruno Mussolini 217: 198: 193: 93: 84: 52:Attack Aircraft 34: 17: 12: 11: 5: 2108: 2106: 2098: 2097: 2092: 2087: 2082: 2077: 2072: 2067: 2062: 2052: 2051: 2047: 2046: 2034: 2022: 1999: 1998: 1996: 1995: 1989: 1987: 1983: 1982: 1980: 1979: 1973: 1971: 1967: 1966: 1964: 1963: 1957: 1955: 1951: 1950: 1948: 1947: 1942: 1937: 1932: 1927: 1922: 1917: 1912: 1907: 1902: 1897: 1892: 1887: 1882: 1877: 1872: 1867: 1862: 1857: 1852: 1847: 1842: 1837: 1832: 1827: 1822: 1817: 1812: 1807: 1802: 1797: 1792: 1787: 1782: 1777: 1772: 1767: 1762: 1757: 1752: 1747: 1742: 1737: 1732: 1727: 1722: 1717: 1712: 1707: 1702: 1697: 1692: 1687: 1682: 1677: 1672: 1667: 1662: 1657: 1652: 1647: 1642: 1637: 1632: 1627: 1622: 1616: 1614: 1610: 1609: 1603: 1601: 1600: 1593: 1586: 1578: 1572: 1571: 1566: 1561: 1556: 1551: 1543: 1542:External links 1540: 1539: 1538: 1531: 1524: 1509: 1502: 1487: 1470: 1463: 1452: 1443: 1440: 1438: 1437: 1428: 1419: 1408: 1397: 1381: 1372: 1363: 1353: 1333: 1324: 1312: 1292: 1276: 1260: 1237: 1213: 1211: 1208: 1207: 1206: 1201: 1196: 1185: 1184: 1182:Short Stirling 1179: 1177:Petlyakov Pe-8 1174: 1169: 1167:Junkers Ju 290 1164: 1162:Heinkel He 177 1159: 1154: 1149: 1144: 1142:Avro Lancaster 1133: 1132: 1120: 1117: 1116: 1115: 1109: 1090: 1089: 1083: 1077: 1074:Maximum speed: 1063: 1062: 1056: 1046: 1040: 1034: 1028: 1022: 1016: 1010: 983: 980: 979: 978: 971: 956: 949: 934: 931: 930: 929: 926: 923: 920: 917: 914: 908: 905: 899: 896: 890: 887: 881: 878: 872: 868: 867: 864: 861: 858: 850: 847: 824: 821: 813:night fighters 804: 801: 739: 736: 697: 694: 676: 673: 654: 651: 556: 553: 463: 460: 448: 445: 440: 439: 436: 433: 422: 419: 392:Avro Lancaster 353:Gnome-Rhône 9K 328: 325: 274: 271: 197: 194: 192: 189: 139:Piaggio P.108 125: 124: 121: 117: 116: 113: 109: 108: 105: 101: 100: 96: 95: 90: 86: 85: 78: 71: 67: 66: 61: 55: 54: 45: 41: 40: 36: 35: 32: 24: 23: 16:Italian bomber 15: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 2107: 2096: 2093: 2091: 2088: 2086: 2083: 2081: 2078: 2076: 2073: 2071: 2068: 2066: 2063: 2061: 2058: 2057: 2055: 2045: 2035: 2033: 2023: 2021: 2011: 2007: 1994: 1991: 1990: 1988: 1986:Piaggio-Selex 1984: 1978: 1975: 1974: 1972: 1970:Piaggio-Pegna 1968: 1962: 1959: 1958: 1956: 1952: 1946: 1943: 1941: 1938: 1936: 1933: 1931: 1928: 1926: 1923: 1921: 1918: 1916: 1913: 1911: 1908: 1906: 1903: 1901: 1898: 1896: 1893: 1891: 1888: 1886: 1883: 1881: 1878: 1876: 1873: 1871: 1868: 1866: 1863: 1861: 1858: 1856: 1853: 1851: 1848: 1846: 1843: 1841: 1838: 1836: 1833: 1831: 1828: 1826: 1823: 1821: 1818: 1816: 1813: 1811: 1808: 1806: 1803: 1801: 1798: 1796: 1793: 1791: 1788: 1786: 1783: 1781: 1778: 1776: 1773: 1771: 1768: 1766: 1763: 1761: 1758: 1756: 1753: 1751: 1748: 1746: 1743: 1741: 1738: 1736: 1733: 1731: 1728: 1726: 1723: 1721: 1718: 1716: 1713: 1711: 1708: 1706: 1703: 1701: 1698: 1696: 1693: 1691: 1688: 1686: 1683: 1681: 1678: 1676: 1673: 1671: 1668: 1666: 1663: 1661: 1658: 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1126: 1125: 1118: 1113: 1110: 1107: 1103: 1100: 1099: 1098: 1095: 1087: 1084: 1081: 1078: 1075: 1072: 1071: 1070: 1068: 1060: 1057: 1054: 1050: 1047: 1044: 1041: 1038: 1037:Empty weight: 1035: 1032: 1029: 1026: 1023: 1020: 1017: 1014: 1011: 1008: 1005: 1004: 1003: 1001: 996: 995: 988: 981: 977: 976: 972: 969: 957: 955: 954: 950: 948: 937: 936: 932: 927: 924: 921: 918: 915: 913: 909: 906: 904: 900: 897: 895: 891: 888: 886: 882: 879: 877: 873: 870: 869: 865: 862: 859: 856: 855: 854: 848: 846: 842: 838: 829: 822: 820: 816: 814: 811: 802: 800: 797: 792: 786: 784: 780: 776: 772: 768: 764: 760: 759: 753: 749: 745: 737: 735: 732: 728: 724: 718: 715: 711: 707: 703: 695: 693: 691: 686: 685:North African 682: 681:Mediterranean 674: 672: 669: 666: 664: 659: 652: 650: 647: 643: 638: 636: 632: 628: 624: 620: 616: 612: 611:Eastern Front 608: 607: 601: 599: 595: 594:Macchi C.200s 590: 586: 582: 577: 574: 570: 566: 562: 554: 552: 550: 546: 542: 538: 533: 527: 524: 520: 515: 513: 508: 505: 499: 497: 493: 488: 485: 481: 477: 468: 461: 459: 456: 454: 446: 444: 437: 434: 431: 430: 429: 426: 420: 418: 416: 412: 408: 403: 401: 397: 396:turbochargers 393: 389: 384: 380: 376: 371: 369: 365: 361: 357: 354: 348: 346: 345:medium bomber 342: 339: 335: 326: 324: 321: 317: 313: 309: 305: 300: 298: 294: 293: 284: 279: 272: 270: 267: 262: 259: 257: 252: 248: 247: 241: 239: 235: 231: 227: 221: 216: 211: 206: 204: 195: 190: 188: 186: 185: 180: 177: 172: 168: 164: 159: 155: 151: 147: 143: 142: 131: 122: 118: 114: 110: 106: 102: 97: 91: 87: 83: 82: 77: 76: 72: 70:Primary users 68: 65: 62: 60: 56: 53: 49: 46: 42: 37: 33:Piaggio P.108 30: 25: 20: 1899: 1864: 1829: 1769: 1759: 1739: 1534: 1528:RID magazine 1527: 1512: 1505: 1490: 1474: 1466: 1459: 1455: 1448: 1431: 1422: 1411: 1400: 1375: 1366: 1356: 1327: 1251:. Retrieved 1249:(in Italian) 1240: 1228:. Retrieved 1226:(in Italian) 1217: 1187: 1186: 1172:Nakajima G8N 1135: 1134: 1130:Piaggio P.50 1123: 1122: 1111: 1101: 1093: 1091: 1085: 1079: 1073: 1066: 1064: 1058: 1048: 1042: 1036: 1030: 1024: 1018: 1012: 1006: 999: 997: 993: 992: 973: 951: 911: 902: 893: 884: 875: 852: 843: 839: 835: 817: 806: 790: 787: 767:Beaufighters 762: 758:Fliegerkorps 757: 747: 741: 719: 699: 678: 670: 667: 660: 656: 645: 641: 639: 626: 604: 602: 597: 580: 578: 568: 560: 558: 528: 516: 509: 500: 489: 475: 473: 457: 450: 441: 427: 424: 404: 372: 355: 349: 340: 330: 301: 291: 288: 263: 260: 255: 244: 242: 237: 225: 222: 214: 207: 199: 182: 154:World War II 146:heavy bomber 140: 138: 136: 112:First flight 89:Number built 79: 73: 59:Manufacturer 48:Heavy bomber 1067:Performance 1059:Propellers: 1049:Powerplant: 885:Bombardiere 791:Squadriglia 702:Decimomannu 642:Die General 598:Squadriglia 541:glide bombs 370:in tandem. 238:Squadriglia 226:Squadriglia 141:Bombardiere 2054:Categories 1210:References 1031:Wing area: 903:Modificato 876:Artigliere 476:Artigliere 364:Alfa Romeo 2032:Companies 1483:0757-4169 1019:Wingspan: 994:Data from 975:Luftwaffe 933:Operators 912:Trasporto 748:Luftwaffe 696:Gibraltar 690:Gibraltar 627:Luftwaffe 606:Luftwaffe 543:like the 504:torpedoes 421:Bomb load 297:duralumin 283:Lancaster 281:Like the 184:Luftwaffe 158:prototype 81:Luftwaffe 2044:Aviation 1607:aircraft 1351:Pedriali 1310:Sgarlato 1253:29 April 1230:29 April 1119:See also 1094:Armament 849:Variants 819:Spain). 810:Mosquito 706:Sardinia 623:airliner 555:P.108C/T 308:fuselage 176:military 171:fuselage 167:airliner 2006:Portals 1620:FN.305A 1613:Piaggio 1605:Piaggio 1442:Sources 1025:Height: 1013:Length: 968:Germany 910:P.108T 901:P.108M 892:P.108C 883:P.108B 874:P.108A 796:153 Sqn 775:Algiers 727:Algeria 585:Caproni 549:Fritz X 519:Furbara 407:biplane 356:Mistral 341:Cicogna 304:cockpit 203:P.50-II 152:during 120:Retired 99:History 64:Piaggio 1961:PD.808 1519: 1497: 1481: 1112:Bombs: 1080:Range: 1009:6 or 7 965: 944: 925:P.133C 894:Civile 832:Italy. 803:Sicily 779:Skikda 771:Annaba 761:, the 731:Hudson 631:Ju 52s 581:P.108T 569:P.108C 512:Savona 462:P.108A 266:turret 249:, the 191:P.108B 156:. The 2020:Italy 1993:P.1HH 1977:P.c.7 1940:P.180 1935:P.166 1930:P.157 1925:P.155 1920:P.150 1915:P.149 1910:P.148 1905:P.140 1900:P.140 1895:P.139 1890:P.138 1885:P.137 1880:P.136 1875:P.135 1870:P.134 1865:P.133 1860:P.132 1855:P.131 1850:P.130 1845:P.129 1840:P.128 1835:P.127 1830:P.126 1825:P.125 1820:P.124 1815:P.123 1810:P.122 1805:P.121 1800:P.120 1795:P.119 1790:P.118 1785:P.117 1780:P.116 1775:P.115 1770:P.114 1765:P.113 1760:P.112 1755:P.111 1750:P.110 1745:P.109 1740:P.108 1735:P.107 1730:P.106 1725:P.105 1720:P.104 1715:P.103 1710:P.102 1705:P.101 1690:P.23R 1685:P.23M 1102:Guns: 1007:Crew: 919:P.133 763:Regia 710:Spain 653:P.133 589:Breda 415:SM.82 338:BR.20 251:SM.79 218:' 22:P.108 1945:P1XX 1700:P.50 1695:P.32 1680:P.20 1675:P.18 1670:P.16 1665:P.12 1660:P.11 1655:P.10 1517:ISBN 1495:ISBN 1479:ISSN 1255:2016 1232:2016 1051:4 × 783:Oran 754:and 723:Bône 683:and 663:B-24 615:Axis 547:and 523:Pisa 411:B-24 388:B-17 334:Fiat 256:lire 246:lire 137:The 123:1945 107:1942 44:Type 1650:P.9 1645:P.8 1640:P.7 1635:P.6 1630:P.3 1625:P.2 773:), 756:X. 725:in 704:in 383:oil 373:12 163:gun 50:or 2056:: 1384:^ 1336:^ 1315:^ 1295:^ 1279:^ 1263:^ 785:. 752:II 551:. 402:. 362:. 347:. 299:. 210:US 2008:: 1597:e 1590:t 1583:v 1523:. 1501:. 1485:. 1257:. 1234:. 535:( 379:L 292:g

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