B.R.20DR

Description

The B.R.20DR was Italy's primary bomber during most of World War II and specially during the Africa Campaign. It was one of the most produced and widely used variants of the BR.20, being introduced in 1936 and serving until 1945. In fact, the BR.20 also served with Japan during World War II, with 82 units sold to this nation, however the aircraft was highly criticized for the poor engine reliability and lacking firepower. In total 500 units of the BR.20 "Stork" were produced between 1936 and 1943.

It was introduced in Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica" alongside the initial Italian aviation tree The BR.20 has a superb bomb load and is quite strong, being able to carry more explosive ordnance than most other bombers. The defensive armament has excellent coverage; however, the dorsal gunner is quite exposed and commonly gets hit while in combat. It is very sluggish and the flight performance is inferior to most bombers at its BR. This is a very slow plane in Arcade and Realistic battles, and because these game modes are so short, by the time you reach your bombing target the match might even be over. The BR.20 is still however quite a treat to fly and is stable and well suited to Simulator. Another very interesting strategy the BR.20 DR is capable of is ironically, attacking other bombers. When the top & front gunner are pointed forward, the combined firepower of three 7.7 machine guns can surprise other bomber pilots especially if loaded with the AP-I belts.

General info

Flight performance

Details

Survivability and armour

• No armour
• 6 self-sealing fuel tanks (2 in the frontal fuselage, mounted to the right, 2 in each wing)
• Can survive some hits from calibres below 23 mm
• Tail is prone to breaking easily
• Very good gunner positions for defensive coverage

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Suspended armament

The B.R.20DR can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 12 x 50 kg GP 50 bombs (600 kg total)
• 12 x 100 kg GP 100T bombs (1,200 kg total)
• 4 x 250 kg GP 250 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 2 x 500 kg GP 500 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 2 x 800 kg GP 800 bombs (1,600 kg total)

Defensive armament

The B.R.20DR is defended by:

• 2 x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, dorsal turret (500 rpg = 1,000 total)
• 1 x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, nose turret (500 rpg)
• 1 x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, ventral turret (500 rpg)

Usage in battles

Air battles

The BR.20 DR is a very good bomber at its BR, at the start of battle climb to 3,000-4,500 m, and go to destroy the enemy bases, as everytime enemy fighters or other planes are gonna attack you, use your gunners to kill enemy planes, use Universal belt because it contains 1 tracer and 3 AP-I shells per belt. The AP-I shells are perfect for killing enemy planes because they can knock out the enemy pilot or set on fire the enemy planes. When you are near the enemy base, use your bomber sight for drop your bombs and after it return to the airfield to reload your bombs.

Ground battles

You can use the BR.20 DR in ground mode, use these following payloads: 4 x 250kg (GP 250) or 2 x 500 kg (GP 500) or 2 x 800kg (GP 800). After spawning with the BR.20 DR, stay at 900-1,500 m altitude and use your bomb sight to drop your bombs more accurately. Your bombs are very good so if the bombs happen to get close to enemy medium and heavy tanks, they can be very easily destroyed.

AB Mode

Like any bomber in Arcade Battles, they are the first too be destroyed, climb to 4,000 m-5,000 m and stay at that altitude and drop your bombs on enemy bases but remember that you can be destroyed very easily by enemy planes so be careful and check around you if they are incoming enemy planes.

Manual Engine Control

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Good payload for its rank
• Fast in a dive
• Pitches very well
• Combination of roof & front turret and high spawn can easily disable enemy bombers

Cons:

• Rolls very badly, poor yaw
• Slow speed

History

The standard Italian bomber of World War 2, the B.R.20 was a technically advanced bomber for its time. More than 500 were produced over seven years, and it served on all of Italy's fronts, including Africa, Russia, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans. B.R.20s based in Belgium participated in the Battle of Britain, taking heavy losses.

Designed by Fiat's Celestino Rosatelli, the B.R.20 had a metal structure and duralumin/fabric covering. Its specifications had called for a top speed of 388 km/h, a bomb load of 1,200 kg, and a range of 960 km, all of which it easily surpassed. Two modified B.R.20s competed in the 1937 Istres-Damascus-Paris air race, but did not win. In 1939, another modified B.R.20 set an endurance record for a 4,800 km flight from Rome to Addis Ababa, averaging more than 400 km/h along the route.

From 1937 to 1939 B.R.20s served in the Spanish Civil War. The model did less well in the Battle of Britain, where the Italian air corps lost a quarter of its 80 B.R.20Ms in their first 300 hours in the air. The model continued to be produced until 1942.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the B.R.20DR from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

See also

Related development

• B.R.20M M1

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• B-10B
• He 111 H-3
• SB 2M (Family)
• Ki-21-Ia
• Martin 139WC
• Martin 167-A3

External links

• [Devblog] Fiat BR.20 DR - A Ruthless Warbird
• Official data sheet - more details about the performance
• [Wikipedia] Fiat BR.20