IMAM Ro.44
IMAM (Meridionali) · Italy · first flew 1936 · fighter
The IMAM Ro.44 was an Italian single-seat floatplane fighter biplane that entered service with the Regia Aeronautica in 1938, designed for fleet air defence and patrol over the Mediterranean.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.72 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Italian single-seat floatplane biplane fighter of the late 1930s
- Large twin pontoon floats beneath a compact fighter biplane
- Fiat A.74 radial engine in a rounded cowling
A single-seat biplane fighter on twin floats with a prominent radial engine, single-bay wings with a slight sweep at the tips, and an open cockpit — the floatplane configuration and biplane layout together are immediately distinctive.
Specifications
- The IMAM Ro.44 has a length of 9.72 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.58 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 311 km/h (193 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by IMAM in the mid-1930s, the Ro.44 was the last Italian floatplane fighter biplane to see operational service. It served aboard Italian capital ships and at coastal bases during the early part of World War II, before being superseded by more capable monoplane fighters. About 35 were built.
Variants
No major production variants; all production aircraft were essentially identical.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Regia Aeronautica from 1938 to the early years of World War II; withdrawn from front-line service by 1942.
Related aircraft
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