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Any reasonable long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft of this period is going to have more than a crew of two. The plane needs to be piloted; it needs to be navigated; communications need to be maintained; and the electronic systems need to be operated. You can double up some of these things but given the technology of the time that will reduce the efficacy of the aircraft operation. I would say you need a minimum of four crew to accomplish the mission well. Of course, that merely my opinion - YMMV.
Diesel engines may be efficient, but I wonder if the airframe is capable of carrying sufficient fuel for the stated range? The Martin P4M Mercator, a far larger aircraft (albeit with different engines) was capable of little more than 4,000 km.
Valid points. Few comments tho. I don't see the Serie III being used as a long range recon plane (that roll being filled by the big Fiat with its much greater endurance) but as a high speed one. The long range allows it to run a higher speeds for longer periods. I agree that more crewmen are needed, but think that radio/electronics could be merged into one position given the nature of the mission. Given that how does this look?
Serie III
Year: 1945
Crew: 3
Engines: 2 * 2040hp Isotta-Fraschini diesel
Wing Span: 17.74m Length: 15.54m Height: 5.42m Wing Area: 45sq m
Empty Weight: 6688kg Max.Weight: 12400kg
Speed: 650km/h at 4000m Ceiling: 11000m
Range: 3500km
Armament: Recon gear and/or RADAR
Note there could be a combat version of the same airframe (would be Serie IV) but I'm wondering about the ability of the diesels to take damage over that of the radials that the Serie I and II currently employ.
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