J.Davilla Italian Aviation in the First World War. Vol.2: Aircraft A-H (A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes 74)

FIAT R.2

  The SIA 7b scandal was the biggest aviation debacle of the First World War. The aircraft was intended to replace the second generation of Italian reconnaissance machines (SAML and S.P.3). However, its failure resulted in the continued use of those obsolete types, while at the same time forcing the army co-operation units to convert to the Pomilio PEs which proved to be of limited value.
  The SIA 7b suffered from myriad structural issues, including a tendency to shed its wing in flight. It was difficult to fly and was not well liked by the crews even before its lethality was recognized. It is said that a group of aviation cadets asked to be transferred to the trenches, rather than take there chances on the SIA 7b.
  The scandal, which included poor workmanship and inferior design, resulted in a government investigation which, perhaps predictably, failed to assign blame to anyone. However, SIA (which was the aviation production branch of the Fiat concern) was driven out of business. What actually happened was a management reorganization and a name change to Fiat.
  Since the structural issues were the most important reason for the SIA 7b’s downfall, these had to be addressed first. Fiat engineers Celestino Rosatelli and Miro Gamba not only had to strengthen the airframe, but also had to improve the new design’s performance. The R.2 would use the same 300-hp Fiat A12 bis engine.
  Fiat test pilot Brach-Pap tested his last R.2 (8762) on April 10,1920. The prototype underwent over 100 test flights in order to ensure that, this time, there would be no unpleasant surprises when the type reached flight line units.
  The airframe was strengthened in comparison to the SIA 9, and the weight distribution was altered in an attempt to rectify problems with that aircraft. In order to balance the center of gravity in the SIA 7b, it was necessary to place ballast in the rear cockpit if the observer was not being carried. Until this was realized, there were numerous accidents where the aircraft become difficult to control and, on occasion, would crash.


Technical

  Fuselage - the fuselage was of wooden construction with a rectangular cross section. The forward portion was covered in metal; the aft structured was enclosed in fabric.
  Wings - Two bay wings also constructed of wood. The wings were of equal span with wood struts, and wire rigging. There were ailerons on the upper wing only.
  Tail - metal interior structure
  Engine - 300-hp Fiat A12 bis engine
  Armament - Armament constituted a fixed, synchronized machine gun for the pilot and a machine gun on a moveable mount controlled by the rear observer.


Production

  500 R.2s were ordered. The war’s end resulted in only 129 actually being built. However, fortunately for Fiat production continued after the war, reaching 270 examples.
  The prototype (Alegi believes it may have been numbered 8500) was tested in the summer of 1918.
  In May 1923 an order for nine aircraft was placed (24443 to 24451)

Operational Service

1918

  Shortly before the war ended, examples of the R.2 were distributed among the various army co-operation units along the front. The crews were asked to evaluate the usefulness of the new type in combat. From October 18, two machines were assigned to 3a armata, two to 8a and one with 7a.
  During the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, 114a Squadriglia’s pilots flew photo reconnaissance, bombing and strafing missions. One of the first examples of the new R.2 reconnaissance aircraft, No.8509, assigned on an experimental basis to the 114a Squadriglia, was reportedly shot down on 30 October by AAA. The aircraft was believed to have been downed by rifle fire during a a ground attack mission in Sacile.

  In 1927 only 23 R2s still remained in service. They were replaced by Ansaldo A 300/4s and Fiat R22s.


Foreign Service

  Argentina - In June 1919 R.2 8579 (another source states it was 8584) was sent, as part of 350a Squadriglia, to Argentina with the Italian Air Force mission. In 1919. The arrival of this mission coincided with the arrival of two other military missions, French and English at the Buenos Aires military airfield, El Palomar. The Italians also brought Ansaldo SVA 5s and 9s, a Farman F.40, a Hanriot HD.1, a Breguet 14, and a Caproni bomber.
  The Fiat R.2 had been fitted with dual controls and was offered as a training aircraft. On May 24,1919, in the parade celebrating the Mayan festivities, the crew threw out commemorative pamphlets.
  The R.2 made several long distance flights from Buenos Aires, flown by different pilots.
  During the great flood of the province of Buenos Aires in 1919, the R.2, piloted by sergento Liverani, was used to survey the flooded areas in cooperation with the Buenos Aires government.
  In 1920 the Italian military mission helped create the Italo-Argentina pilot school. Here, the R.2 was flown by various trainees who passed through that school during that year.
  By mid-1921, the R.2 was acquired by Mr. Juan Mendoza and Nernuldes, who would become the first Bolivian civil pilot and his partner Mr. Alfredo Etienne, businessman from Oruro, who took the plane to Bolivia unarmed by train. It made several flights, starting on 10 November, 1921, then the plane was again dismantled and transferred to the town of Poopo. It was from the latter city that the R.2 was used on another long range flight to Oruro, a distance of 50 km on November 19, 1921. On March 3, 1922, the R.2 crashed landed at Cochabamba; this may have been the R.2’s last flight.
  Turkey - One aircraft obtained in Italy by Erzurumlu Nafiz. Named Erzurumlu Nafiz 2 it served with 1/2.TyBl/14. In August 1922 it was written off after a crash landing.


Fiat R.2 two-seat reconnaissance aircraft with one 300-hp Fiat A12 bis engine
  Wingspan 12.27 m; length 8.75 m; height 3.15 m; wing area 46.5 sq m
  Empty weight 1,250 kg; loaded weight 1,700 kg;
  Maximum speed 215 km/h; climb to 3,000 m in 18 minutes 15 seconds; ceiling 4,800 m
  Armament - a single, synchronized machine in the nose and a second machine gun on a moveable mount in the observer’s cockpit.
  A total of 129 built.