Бреда Ba.88: Ұшақ-шабуылдаушының тарихы мен кемшіліктері

The Breda Ba.88 Lince ("Lynx") was a ground attack aircraft used by the Italian Regia Aeronautica during World War II. Its streamlined design and retractable undercarriage were advanced for the time, and after its debut in 1937 the aircraft established several world speed records. However, when military equipment was installed on production examples, problems of instability developed and the aeroplane's general performance deteriorated. Eventually its operational career was cut short, and the remaining Ba.88 airframes were used as fixed installations on airfields to mislead enemy reconnaissance.

The Breda Ba.88 was designed to fulfill a 1936 requirement by the Regia Aeronautica for a heavy fighter bomber capable of a maximum speed of faster than any other aircraft existing or being planned at the time taking the record away from France. Another record was obtained on 10 April 1937 when it achieved over Piloted by Furio Niclot Doglio, the Ba.88 prototype had two Isotta Fraschini K 14 engines. This record speed was increased to when the modified prototype, using a double tail, was re equipped with the definitive engines; the Piaggio P. XI RC40s. This time it broke German records in a stage at an average speed of (with load) on 5 December 1937. Finally on 9 December 1937, another world record was set when averaging over with a load.

Two Gruppi (Groups) were equipped with the Breda Ba.88 in June 1940, operating initially from Sardinia against the main airfield of Corsica, with 12 aircraft on 16 June 1940 and three on 19 June 1940. The crews soon found that the Bredas were extremely underpowered and lacked agility, but the lack of fighter opposition resulted in them being able to perform their missions without losses. Later, 64 aircraft became operational serving 7º Gruppo in the North African Theatre with 19º Gruppo stationed in Sardinia, but their performance remained extremely poor resulting in 7º Gruppo being grounded from the end of June until September, when the Italian offensive against British forces started. Of three aircraft used, one was not even capable of taking off, and another could not turn and was forced to fly straight from their base at Castelvetrano to Sidi Rezegh. With anti sand filters fitted, a maximum level speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) was reported in some cases and several units were even unable to take off at all. These machines were fitted with "Spezzoniera" Nardi dispensers with 119 2 kg (4 lb) bomblets, 1,000 rounds for the three 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine guns and 500 rounds for the 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Bredas. Although the weapons were not loaded to full capacity and the aircraft was lightened by eliminating the rear machine gun, observer, bombs and some fuel, lessening the weight did not substantially affect the aircraft's performance. By mid November, just five months after the start of the war on 10 June 1940, most surviving Ba.88s had been phased out as bombers and stripped of useful equipment, and were scattered around operational airfields as decoys for attacking aircraft.

Ba.88 Lince
The production ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft. Ba.88M
Three aircraft modified as dedicated ground attack aircraft with Fiat A.74 engines increased wing span and dive brakes.