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Planet Models 1/72 IMAM Ro.41 Light Interceptor by Vincent Fiore |
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Similar in layout and appearance to the FIAT CR.40 and CR.41, the Meridionali Ro.41 single-seat fighter biplane appeared in 1935. The similarity was further served by a modified form of Warren wing bracing in which the inner struts were attached to the fuselage instead of to the upper wing, which had the same vee center section for forward visibility. However, the low output of the Piaggio P.VII C.45 seven-cylinder radial engine (390 h.p. at 14,760 ft.) considerably limited the performance of the Ro 41 in comparison to the FIAT fighter prototypes. The wing of the Ro.41 was of mixed wood and duralumin construction, covered partly with wood and partly with fabric, while the fuselage was of welded steel tubing with fabric and duralumin sheet covering. Landing gear was fixed, with spatted wheels. The airscrew was of the two-bladed, variable-pitch type. Armament comprised two 7.7-mm. machine guns firing through the air-screw disc. In addition to the single-seat fighter, a two-seat advanced training version with dual controls was built. The Ro.41 was not adopted by the Regia Aeronautica in either form and never entered quantity production. While acceptable for a biplane of the Ro 41's weight (2178 lb. empty, 2728 lb. loaded) and power, the performance of the fighter was not outstanding, maximum speed being only 202 mph at 16,400 ft, cruising speed 180 mph, landing speed 62 mph, range 350 miles, and ceiling 25,580 ft The Ro.41 climbed to 6560 ft. in 2 min. 50 sec., to 13,120 ft in 6 min. 20 sec., and to 19,680 ft in 10 min. 50 sec. Dimensions included a span of 28 ft 10 3/4 in, a length of 21 ft, 6 3/8 in, a height of 8 ft 8 1/4 in, and a wing area of 206.3 sq ft. The two-seat model weighed 11 lb more empty and loaded, performance and dimensions being virtually identical, except for a reduced range. |
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2010 1/72 Planet kit Ro.41 resin kit, is not the easiest kit but not very difficult. The parts are well molded. Only one very slight imperfection, the hand hold in upper wing. My first try using easy line for rigging. I am not a fan, it was much more difficult than using stretched spure. Primers and paint are MRP and decals are out of the box Bianco Avorio 5/Alluminio. |
Aircraft: Meridionali Ro.41 Manufacturer: S.A. Industrie Meccaniche & Aerondutiche Meridionali (I.M.A.M.) Type: fighter Year: 1935 Engine: Piaggio P.VII RC 45, 7-cylinder radial, air-cooled, 390 hp at 14,760 ft Wingspan: 28 ft 10 3/4 in (8.8 m) Length: 21 ft 6 3/8 in (6.56 m) Height: 8 ft 8 1/4 in (2.65 m) Weight: 2,728 lb (1,237 kg) (Loaded) Maximum Speed: 202 mph (325 km/h) at 16,400 ft (5,000 m) Ceiling: 25,580 ft (7,800 m) Range: 350 miles (563 km) Crew: 1
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January, 2020 STORMO! © 2020 |