he Fiat BR.20 Cicogna (Italian: "stork") was a low-wing twin-engine medium bomber produced from mid-1930s until the end of World War II by the Turin firm. When it entered service in 1936 it was the first all-metal Italian bomber [1] and it was regarded as one of the most modern medium bomber of the world.[2] It had its baptisme of fire in summer 1937, with Aviazione Legionaria, during the Spanish Civil War, when it formed the backbone of Nationalist bombing operations along with the Heinkel He 111.[3] It was then used successfully by Japanese during the Second Sino-Japanese War.[4] When Italy entered war in 1940, the BR.20 was the standard medium bomber of Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force) but it was already showing its age. By 1942, it was mostly used for maritime patrol and operational training for bomber crews.[4] More than 500 were produced before the end of the war.[5]VariantsBR.20
Initial production model, 233 built.[26]BR.20A
De-militarised conversion of two BR.20s for air racing.BR.20L
Long ranged civil version, one built.BR.20M
Improved bomber version with lengthened nose, 264 produced.[26]BR.20C
Single aircraft converted by Agusta fitted with 37 mm (1.46 in) cannon in revised nose.BR.20bis
Major re-design with more powerful engines (two Fiat A.82 RC.42 rated at 932 kW/1,250 hp each), increased dimensions and new, fully glazed nose.Specifications (Fiat Br.20M)General characteristicsCrew: 5
Length: 16.68 m (54 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 21.56 m (70 ft 8.75 in)
Height: 4.75 m (15 ft 7 in)
Wing area: 74.0 m² (796.5 ft²)
Empty weight: 6,500 kg (14,330 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 10,100 kg (22,270 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Fiat A.80 RC.41 18-cylinder radial engine, 746 kW (1,000 hp) each
PerformanceMaximum speed: 440 km/h (273 mph)
Cruise speed: 340 km/h (211 mph)
Range: 2750 km (1,709 mi)
Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,250 ft)
ArmamentGuns: 3× 12.7 mm (.5 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns
Bombs: 1,600 kg (3,530 lb) of bombs
OperatorsChinaA single captured BR.20 entered service with the Republic of China Air Force in 1939.
ItalyRegia Aeronautica
Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force
Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana
JapanImperial Japanese Army Air Service
Spanish StateEjército del Aire (EdA)
HungaryRoyal Hungarian Air Force
CroatiaAir Force of the Independent State of Croatia
VenezuelaVenezuelan Air Force - A single BR.20 was sold to Venezuela. This was delivered in 1938 and continued in service until 1942 when an engine failure and a lack of spare parts forced its retirement. It was finally scrapped in 1946.
Operational historySpain - June 1937
Japan - July 1937
France - 12 June 1940
Corpo Aereo Italiano - 10 September 1940
North Africa - February 1941
Malta - 1941, 1942 and 1943. On 7 May 1941
Russia - August 1942
Other fronts - During the course of the war, BR.20s were used in Albania and Greece as well. They were also used extensively in Yugoslavia against Josip Broz Tito's partisans. Other BR.20s were used to drop food and other material to the Italian Army, often trapped in the Balkans, faced with Yugoslavian resistance.