Fiat BR.20 Cicogna 1/72 Scale Model

Italian BR.20M - This is a model of a heavy bomber that flew against Greece in 1940 and 1941. The BR.20 first saw combat in 1937 with the Aviazione Legionaria, the Italian air contingent sent by Mussolini to support the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War. Japan bought 85 BR.20s and used them against the Chinese beginning in 1937, and against the Soviets at Khalkhin Gol in 1939. The Japanese called their BR.20s the Type 1 Army Heavy Bomber, and the Allied codename for the plane was "Ruth." The Japanese, however, were dissatisfied with the performance of the BR.20 and began replacing it with the Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" in 1938. Although the BR.20 was obsolete when Italy entered WWII in 1940, it was the Regia Aeronautica's primary heavy bomber and its production continued until 1943, despite the introduction of the modern four-engined Piaggio P.108 in 1942.

More Photos: Left, Right, Top, Front Angle Left, Front Angle Right, Rear Angle Left, Rear Angle Right, Above Left, Above Right

Air War for Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete, Christopher Shores

Aircraft of the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939, Gerald Howson

Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II, David Mondey

Emblems of the Rising Sun: Imperial Japanese Army Air Force Unit Markings 1935-1945, Peter Scott

Fighters Over the Desert: The Air Battles in the Western Desert. June 1940 to December 1942, Christopher Shores

In the Skies of Europe: Air Forces Allied to the Luftwaffe 1939-1945, John Cochrane

Italian Aircraft of WWII, Nico Sgarlato

Malta; The Hurricane Years 1940-1941, Christopher Shores

Regia Aeronautica: Pictorial History of the Italian Air Force 1940-1943, Christopher Shores

Spanish Civil War Air Forces, Christopher Shores