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Italy's IMAM Ro.37 reconnaissance

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Photos

  • IMAN Ro.37 reconnaissance
  • IMAN Ro.37 reconnaissance

 

Design

The IMAM (Industrie Meccaniche e Aeronautiche Meridionali) Ro.37 was designed as a reconnaissance aircraft and first appeared in 1934.

The Ro.37 was a biplane made from metal and wood.

Armament

There were one or two fixed machine guns in the front with a machine gun in the rear cockpit.

Production

  • IMAM Ro.37: 160, ~200
  • IMAM Ro.37bis: ~200, 475
  • Manufacturer: Industrie Meccaniche Aeronautiche Meridionali

Variants

  • IMAM Ro.37: Had Fiat A.30 RA bis engine.
  • IMAM Ro.37bis: Had Piaggio P.IX radial engine.

Usage

Was used in all Italian theaters of operation except Russia and the English Channel.

During 1936 - 1938 the Ro.37 was exported to Afghanistan, Ecuador, Hungary, and Uruguay.

Units

  • Gruppi Osservazione Aerea:
    • North Africa: 64°, 67°, 73°
    • Balkans: 5°, 63°, 70°, 72°
  • Squadriglia:
    • Sardinia: 110a, 124a

Spanish Civil War

The Ro.37 was first used in the Spanish Civil War.

Africa

During World War II the Ro.37 was also used as a ground support and fighter in Africa.

Specifications

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  IMAM Ro. 37
Type Reconnaissance
Crew 2
Engine (Type) Fiat A.30 RA bis
Cylinders V 12
HP 550, 700
Cooling Liquid
Dimensions  
Span 36' 4", 36' 4 1/8"
Length 28' 3", 28' 3.25"
Height 9' 8", 9' 8.75"
Wing area 337.4 sq ft
Weight  
Empty 3,432 lb
Loaded 5,269 lb
Performance  
Speed 199 mph, 202 mph
Speed - Cruising at 16,400' 161 mph
Climb to 6,560' 3 minutes 45 seconds
Climb to 13,120' 9 minutes 5 seconds
Climb to 19,680' 17 minutes 30 seconds
Service Ceiling 21,976', 22,000'
Range 726 miles, 1,025 miles
Armament 2 - 3: MG
  Ro.37bis
Type Fighter, Reconnaissance
Crew 2
Engine (Type) Piaggio P.IX RC.40
OR Piaggio P.XR
Cylinders Radial, 9
HP P.IX: 560
P.X: 700
Dimensions  
Span 35' 4.2", 36' 4 1/8"
11.08 m
Length 28' 1", 28' 1.25"
8.56 m
Height 9' 8.75", 10' 3.75 "
3.15 m
Wing area 337.4 sq ft, 337.46 sq ft
31.35 sq m
Weight  
Empty 3,494 lb
1,585 kg
Empty - P.IX 3,498 lb
Empty - P.X 3,454 lb
Loaded 5,335 lb
2,420 kg
Loaded - P.IX 5,335 lb
Loaded - P.X 5,291 lb
Performance  
Speed at 6,560' - P.X 199 mph
Speed at 16,405' / 5,000 m 205 mph
330 kph
Speed at 16,405' - P.IX 205 mph
Speed - Cruising 155 mph
250 kph
Speed - Cruising at 16,405' - P.IX 155 mph
Climb to 6,560' - P.IX 4 minutes 10 seconds
Climb to 6,560' - P.X 3 minutes 40 seconds
Climb to 13,120' - P.IX 9 minutes 20 seconds
Climb to 13,120' - P.X 9 minutes 30 seconds
Climb to 19,680' - P.IX 16 minutes 30 seconds
Climb to 19,680' - P.X 20 minutes
Service Ceiling 23,620'
7,200 m
Service Ceiling - P.IX 23,616'
Service Ceiling - P.X 20,664'
Range 696 miles
1,120 km
Range - P.IX 696 miles
Armament  
Forward Firing 2: 0.303" / 7.7 mm MG
2: 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT MG
Cockpit - Rear 1: 0.303" / 7.7 mm MG
Bombs - Under Fuselage 397 lb
180 kg
Bombs - Under Wings 12: 26.4 lb, 33 lb

Sources:

  1. World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
  2. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  3. Italian Civil and Military Aircraft 1930-1945, Jonathan Thompson, 1963
20th Century American Military History Crucial Site