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

Bastianelli P.R.B.

  As the First World War was drawing to an end engineer Filippo Bastianelli (Filippo Bastianelli) in September 1918 established the aviation company Societa Industriale per l’Aviazione. The first major project was to be a large flying boat designed by engineer Giovanni Pena (Giovanni Pegna). It was derived from a design study designated Pegna 8 intended for long-distance flights. The company was formed with engineer Pena, Giuseppe Rossi and engineer Bastianelli, also Carlo Marchiori an experienced engineer, who valiantly fought in the First World War.
  The first product of this company was the Bastianelli P.R.B., the name was derived from the initials of its founders, flying-boat, intended for use as a passenger transport. An equal span two-bay biplane, the P.R.B. had a single fin and rudder, with a biplane tailplane braced by a single “I” strut on each side. Although intended for passenger service, it seems that the example built had a possible military application since the bow cockpit would have been suitable for a machine-gun position. Power was provided by four Fiat A12bis engines mounted in tandem pans on the lower wing.
  The seaplane had a wingspan of more than 30 m, empty weight 7000 kg, a faxed weight of up to 12,000 kg. Four 300-hp Fiat A.12 bis engines supplied the power, making the PB.R. the largest and possibly most powerful, flying boat built in Italy.
  Structurally, the seaplane had a large central hull with a width of three meters, plus side floats connected elastically to the airframe. Location of the propellers was critical as they had to be high enough to avoid the salt water spray and waves generated on takeoff and while taxying.
  Development of the P.R.B. was completed in the summer of 1920, and in October it was transferred from Rome to Lido di Ostia for final assembly. On 2 February 1921 the P.R.B. was removed from the hangar to test its engines, as well as to begin sea trials. Flight tests were planned to begin in May.
  The first flight was on 11 May 1921; in addition to the test pilot Chevalier Rossi it carried engineers Gino Capannini and Vincenzo Tancredi, as well as the number of passengers, including engineer Marchiori.
  Official flight tests were made with a total weight of 10,000 kg and were judged satisfactory. The seaplane remained for a long time at the Naval base at Ostia in anticipation of creating interest on the part of the Italian, or possibly American, governments.
  It apparently ending its days at the Vigna di Valle seaplane base.


Bastianelli P.RBM passenger or military flying boat with four 300-hp (224-kW) Fiat A.12bis inline piston engines
  Wingspan 31.40 m, length 18.00 m; height 6.60 m; wing area 206.0 sq m
  Empty weight 5,200 kg); maximum take-off 8,300 kg; payload 3,300 kg
  Maximum speed 170 km/h; climb to 4,000 m in 30 minutes