IMAM RO43
IMAM Ro.43was ahydroreconnaissancetofloatingcentralbiplaneproduced by the Italian companySouthern Aeronautical Mechanical Industries (IMAM)inthirtiesand used in the role ofmaritime reconnaissance embarkedin units greater than theRoyal Navyduring the Second World War.
With the outbreak of thesecond World War, due to the lack of a more specialized aircraft, the Ro.43 also found itself in the role ofhuntingembarked on theLittorio class,Zara class (cruiser),Alberto di Giussano class,Trento class,Duca d'Aosta classAndRaimondo Montecuccoli class, however, resulting not up to the potential opponents for the equipment of only two machine gunsBreda-SAFATfrom 7,7 mm. The already known structural deficiencies, aggravated by the intense use, forced the design of an improved version but which remained relegated to the role of reconnaissance and observation in support of naval artillery. There also remained the problems related to the re-boarding operations at the end of the mission which had to be carried out using the sling of the aircraft, which was hoisted on thebridgewith atower crane, all with the ship stationary and compatibly with the weather conditions. However, this increased the vulnerability of the naval unit intent on the operation, so much so that in the end it was preferred that the aircraft return to acoastal seaplane baseto subsequently re-embark in the safest port waters, at the expense of the possibility of carrying out more air missions.
These problems, which were decisive in thebattle of Cape Matapan, led to find a solution in the conversion of a land fighter, theReggiane Re.2000, which with its "Catapultable" version, while maintaining an identical mission profile, could at least guarantee greater competitiveness with fightersAllies. Despite this, the new Re.2000 were supplied in too small quantities and the Ro.43 continued to be used until the end of its operational life. To the194348 were still registered in active service and at the signing of thearmistice of Cassibileof 8 September, there were 19 ships embarked and 20 under the Naval Forces Squadrons