Italian Aircraft Torpedo Development

[Carl Schwamberger]

Thanks. That indicates the Italians were at least thinking about air delivered torpedoes circa 1927.

[Carl Schwamberger]

Thanks. That indicates the Italians were at least thinking about air delivered torpedoes circa 1927.

Which leads to the question of why they did not take the concept at least half as far as the Brits, Japanese or US navies? It looks like development was not complete until the very late 1930s, & the first experimental combat unit not actually formed until July 1940.

[Dili]

RA wasn't much interested and considered the bomb more economical then torpedo based on an erroneous hit rate assumption.

[Carl Schwamberger]

RA wasn't much interested and considered the bomb more economical then torpedo based on an erroneous hit rate assumption.

Not a uncommon assumption in he 1930s. There was a parallel error in assumption of how much damage aircraft bombs would do. That bombs in the 100-300 kg range wold do as much damage as similar size naval cannon ammunition. I've read a small number of reports on realistic ammunition tests from the era & those had a hint of disappointment in the results.

[DrG]

I think that jwsleser's posts have already provided a good picture of the situation. The Regia Aeronautica had no rational reason to justify its preference for bombs (the experience of the Spanish civil war, when no enemy ship was hit by bombs while sailing, was more than enough), it was only a matter of asserting its independence (torpedo bombers, by definition, are a tactical weapon under the control, even if indirect, of the Navy) and requiring more funding.