WOW478 Breda Lince

Description

The Breda Ba.88 Lince (“Lynx”) was a ground-attack aircraft used by the Italian Regia Aeronautica during World War II. Its streamlined design and retractable undercarriage were advanced for the time, and after its debut in 1937 the aircraft established several world speed records. The aircraft was powered by two Piaggio P.XI air-cooled radial engines. They were of the same type as used in other projects such as the Re.2000, and drove two three-blade, constant-speed 3.2 m (10.4 ft) diameter Breda propellers. The engine nacelles also carried the two main undercarriage units. The aircraft had a twin tail to provide the dorsal 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Breda-SAFAT machine gun with a better field of fire.
 
The aircraft had three nose-mounted 12.7 mm (0.5 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns with 400, 450 and 400 rounds of ammunition respectively. A 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Breda machine gun (with 250-500 rounds) with a high arc of fire, was fitted in the rear cockpit and controlled by a complex motorised electrical system. A modern “San Giorgio” reflector gunsight was fitted, and there was also provision to mount a 20 mm cannon instead of the central machine gun in the nose. The payload was three bombs of 50 kg (110 lb), 100 and 250 kg (220 and 550 lb), or a Nardi dispenser for 119 2 kg (4.4 lb) bomblets. Together these weapons gave the Ba.88 impressive armament for its time.
 
The Ba.88 had all the design specifications to be a very effective heavy fighter-bomber. It had a slim, streamlined shape (noted by all aviation observers), a rugged structure, heavy firepower, long range and high speed, with the same horsepower of medium bombers such as the Br.20 (but at 9 tonnes/10 tons vs. 5 tonnes/6 tons). Despite its promising beginning, the addition of military equipment in the production series aircraft resulted in high wing loading and detrimental aerodynamic effects with a corresponding loss of performance.
Two Gruppi (Groups) were equipped with the Breda Ba.88 in June 1940, operating initially from Sardinia against the main airfield of Corsica, with 12 aircraft on 16 June 1940 and three on 19 June 1940. The crews soon found that the Bredas were underpowered and lacked agility, but the lack of fighter opposition resulted in them being able to perform their missions without losses.
 
Later 64 aircraft became operational serving 7º Gruppo in the North African Theatre with 19º Gruppo stationed in Sardinia, but their performance remained extremely poor resulting in 7º Gruppo being grounded from the end of June until September, when the Italian offensive against British forces started. The Italians were unable to rectify the underpowered engine supply and this caused the type to be withdrawn from active service, for such an outstanding aircraft this was an inauspicious end to its career.
 
Our 1/30 scale model represents one flown in the North African theatre during WW2. We have 3 available at $1,100 plus shipping. The cost of this item is a little higher than our normal twin engine modes because of the intricate paint pattern, which was something of a challenge to apply.