Piaggio P.32
Piaggio Aerospace · Italy · first flew 1936 · bomber
The Piaggio P.32 was an Italian four-engine heavy bomber developed in the mid-1930s for the Regia Aeronautica. It represented Italy's ambitions for a long-range strategic bombing capability during the expansion of Italian airpower.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 23.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Italian four-engine monoplane bomber, 1930s
- High-mounted straight wing with four radial engines
- Twin-fin tail assembly
A large high-wing monoplane with four radial engines distributed along the straight wing leading edge and a prominent twin-fin tail. The smooth, semi-monocoque fuselage and glazed nose position the P.32 firmly in the lineage of 1930s Italian heavy bomber designs.
Specifications
- The Piaggio P.32 has a length of 23.8 m (78 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 37 m (121 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 345 km/h (214 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The P.32 first flew in 1936 and competed with other designs for a heavy bomber requirement. Though it demonstrated reasonable performance, it was not ordered in large numbers, and Italy's heavy bomber fleet remained limited during World War II.
Variants
The P.32 II was a refined version with more powerful engines; neither variant entered mass production.
Where you'll see it
The P.32 saw very limited operational service with the Regia Aeronautica; only a handful of prototypes and pre-production aircraft were completed.
Related aircraft
- Piaggio P.111
- Piaggio P.166
- Piaggio PD.808
- Armstrong Whitworth Whitley
- Blenheim
- Breda Ba.88 Lince
- Dornier Do 19
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