Difference between revisions of "Breda 88 (P.XI)"

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<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
[[File:GarageImage_Breda88.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:GarageImage_Breda88.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
−
{{break}}
+
{{Break}}
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Italian attacker {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica"]].
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' ''"Lince"'' (Ital. Lynx) is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Italian attacker {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica"]].
 +
 
 +
Being developed in the mid-'30s the design goal was alike to many other bombers of the period: Use the bigger frame to mount even bigger engines to outrun any fighter. Setting up multiple records the ''Prototype'' Ba.88 exceeded its expectations.<br>
 +
 
 +
But unfortunately, the prototype is NOT the final aircraft the Italian air force ended up with and NOT the version found in War Thunder. For the crucial mistake came when it was time to mount military instruments, self-sealing fuel tanks, weapon pylons, a second pilot, and armament consisting of guns, bullets and bombs. The additional weight from all this hardware turned the Lince effectively into a brick and a less-effective flying one at that. In fact in comparison, the same ranked [[S.M.79 serie 1|SM 79 ''Sparviero'' medium bomber]] is overall a better [[:Category:Attackers|attacker]] than the Breda. While the high weight and streamlined fuselage of the aircraft typically lend this type of aircraft to Boom & Zoom, getting to this point is a chore. Fortunately, the Breda 88 is so low tiered that it will indeed often face slower fighter craft. At the very least the Ba.88's three nose-mounted heavy machine guns are decent with plenty of ammo.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Flight performance ===
 
=== Flight performance ===
−
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
+
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
 +
With all of the additional necessary gear and equipment added to the first production series after the prototype, the Breda 88 is hopelessly overloaded (137 kg/m² wing-load) and drains any advantage the streamlined design and strong engines grant. In fact on first glance the Lince appears to be quite responsive, featuring late control lock-up speeds and decent roll-rate once spinning. But in this lies the crux of the matter. The aircraft is too heavy, any maneuver pulled must change the momentum of the aircraft, hence any steering and course correction is linked to a loss in speed and/or altitude to compensate. It bleeds speed everywhere thus seriously hampering its ability to Boom & Zoom effectively which one would think the Breda is destined for. Crawling to its ground-level top speed of 410 km/h IAS Boom & Run tactics might work against biplanes...<br>
 +
 
 +
Take off ''on empty'' is @ 150 km/h IAS (136 f/s) in 18 s, attempting an Immelmann at top speed will cause the aircraft to stall at its zenith and a Split-S should only be performed with +500 m (1,650 ft) to spare or else impact with the ground will be a given. When attempting to gain altitude, climbing should be done at ~10° when loaded and @ 12° when empty. These data points were not copied from an Italian medium bomber, but rather are a show of inferiority compared to any other attacker at its battle rating. On the bright side, the difference between full and empty payload is minuscule.
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
−
|-
+
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
−
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
 
−
|-
 
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,600 m)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,600 m)
−
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
−
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
+
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
−
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
 
|-
 
|-
 
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 476 || 463 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 29.9 || 30.9 || 6 || 5.9 || 730
+
! Stock
 +
| 476 || 462 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 29.9 || 30.9 || 6.0 || 5.9 || rowspan="2" | 730
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
+
! Upgraded
−
|-
+
| 504 || 490 || 28.1 || 29.0 || 9.3 || 7.6
−
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,600 m)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
 
−
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
−
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
 
−
|-
 
−
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 
−
|-
 
−
| 504 || 490 || {{Specs|ceiling}} || 28.1 || 29.0 || 9.3 || 7.6 || 730
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
==== Details ====
 
==== Details ====
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
! colspan="5" | Features
Line 52: Line 47:
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="5" | Limits
+
! colspan="7" | Limits
 
|-
 
|-
−
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
+
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
−
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
+
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
−
! rowspan="2" | Combat flaps<br>(km/h)
+
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
|-
 
|-
−
! + !! -
+
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
|-
 
|-
−
| {{Specs|destruction|constructions}} || {{Specs|destruction|chassis}} || 425 || ~9 || ~5
+
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 425 || 283 || ~9 || ~5
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 69: Line 64:
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
+
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
+
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
−
! Rudder<br>(km/h)
 
−
! Elevators<br>(km/h)
 
−
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| < 360 || < 320 || < 400 || > 200
 
| < 360 || < 320 || < 400 || > 200
Line 95: Line 87:
  
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''
+
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
 +
 
 +
Designed to outrun any interceptors, the designers at Breda opted to forego any kind of armour protection. A shame that the Lince ''cannot'' do that. While the central fuselage tank may shield from a few pursuit shots, any frontal attacks are very likely to take out the entire crew in a single burst. This aircraft lacks in manoeuvrability leading to an overall short service life both in real life and game. Though the radial engines are rather resilient, not that it improves the survivability much.
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
Line 106: Line 100:
 
* 3 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, nose-mounted (375 rpg top + 425 rpg middle + 450 rpg bottom = 1,250 total)
 
* 3 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, nose-mounted (375 rpg top + 425 rpg middle + 450 rpg bottom = 1,250 total)
  
−
The three machine guns are arranged and located in the nose of the aircraft. Each is armed with different amounts of ammunition, which means that when all guns fire they will run empty at different times.
+
The three heavy machine guns are arranged and located in the nose of the aircraft. Usually, the slow firing Breda HMGs are a lacklustre affair, but the addition of a third gun elevates the firepower to just mediocre. Each is armed with different amounts of ammunition, which when firing will run empty at different times. Using tracer belts with one of the guns is a very handy visual feedback in Simulator Battles and a neat visual gimmick in other [[:Category:Game modes|game modes]].<br>
 +
 
 +
Both "Air Targets" and "Stealth" belts are great against aircraft with their IAI-bullets (high explosive rounds), albeit their fuses may not trigger on the canvas skins of biplanes. Against ground targets, the API-T only "Tracer" belt is recommended.
  
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
=== Suspended armament ===
Line 117: Line 113:
 
* 3 x 50 kg GP 50 bombs (150 kg total)
 
* 3 x 50 kg GP 50 bombs (150 kg total)
 
* 3 x 100 kg GP 100 bombs (300 kg total)
 
* 3 x 100 kg GP 100 bombs (300 kg total)
 +
 +
In Realistic and Simulator battles the outer bomb pair drops first with a second drop available for the central third bomb. Due to the aircraft's slow change of momentum, any dive bombing attempt below 600 m (2,000 ft) may result in unplanned self-destruction. Unfortunately, no bombsight with this attacker is available, nor does it feature a floor window for target acquisition. The plane's handling hardly changes with the payloads so the triple 100 kg one is always recommended.
  
 
=== Defensive armament ===
 
=== Defensive armament ===
Line 125: Line 123:
  
 
* 1 x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, dorsal turret (500 rpg)
 
* 1 x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, dorsal turret (500 rpg)
 +
 +
Provides rear cover from enemy fighters which will try to knock you out. The 7.7 mm has a limited firing arc. However, controlling the aircraft allows it to be compensated for. It is best to aim for the engine and fight deck of the enemy fighter to knock it out.
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
−
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
+
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
−
The Breda Ba.88 (P.XI) should be used to attack ground targets. It can be difficult to be used as a heavy fighter as your pilot is extremely vulnerable. Try to avoid enemy planes if possible as any enemy plane that engages you may be fatal for the plane's crew. Also note this plane can carry bombs, but it does not have air brakes and or a bomb sight, so you must manually slow down and estimate the payload release on target.
+
 
 +
The Breda Ba.88 (P.XI) should be used to attack ground targets, for aerial manoeuvres it simply lacks the grace or flying ability necessary. Yet even ground strafing can be difficult due to sluggishness and even deadly as the pilot is extremely vulnerable. Try to avoid enemy planes if possible, as any enemy that engages on its own accords may prove to be fatal. Also note the Ba.88 can carry bombs but does not have air brakes or bombsights, so one must manually slow down and estimate the payload release on target.<br>
 +
 
 +
Few viable ways of engaging enemy aircraft exist and all rely on surprising the hostile vehicle. Gaining altitude and diving on the enemy ("Boom") and then either climbing ("Zoom") or running away in level flight are recommended. Albeit this heavy fighter will greatly lose speed in any manoeuvre hence any correction for leading the target should be avoided. Bombers and other aircraft with defensive armament should be avoided entirely.
  
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===
Line 189: Line 192:
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
−
* Tremendous fuel load (33 minutes of fuel is the minimum).
+
* Tremendous fuel load (33 minutes of fuel is the minimum)
−
* Reasonable armament with a high chance of igniting fuel tanks.
+
* Reasonable armament with a high chance of igniting fuel tanks
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
* Lack of armour or bulletproof glass for protection of crew.
+
* Flying brick of an attacker
−
* Poor roll rate, turn time, rate of climb and top speed.
+
** Poor roll rate, turn time, rate of climb, top speed and anything really
−
* Will absolutely get murdered in a turn fight.
+
** Will absolutely get murdered in a turn fight
−
* Plane is prone to pilot snipe.
+
* Lack of any armour for protection
−
* Poor defensive armament.
+
* Plane is prone to pilot snipe
−
* Does not have bomb sight.
+
* Poor defensive armament
 +
* Does not have bombsight
 +
* Deadweight in the line-up
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
−
The Breda Ba.88 was a Italian heavy fighter bomber that was made for the Regia Aeronautica's 1936 requirement for a twin engine heavy fighter capable of 329 mph, 2000 km range, and capable of carrying 20 mm cannons. It made its debut around late 1936 to 1937 and during its evaluation it was a promising design. Standard firepower of the plane was three 12.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine guns in the nose and a gunner in the dorsal turret with a 7.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine gun. The prototype aircraft flew with two Isotta-Fraschini K14 series while production models of the plane had two Piaggio P.XI RC.40 "Stella" 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engines capable of 1,000 hp each, setting several new world speed records in 1937, with speeds in the 550 km/h range. By 1938-39 the Breda Ba.88 came into production but it would be retired in 1941 with only 149 made, after only brief service in Libya in the summer of 1940. The plane was found to perform much more poorly with an operational bombload and unsuitable for the designated role of heavy fighter/assault.
+
 
 +
The Breda Ba.88 was an Italian heavy fighter bomber that was made for the Regia Aeronautica's 1936 requirement for a twin-engine heavy fighter capable of 329 mph, 2000 km range, and capable of carrying 20 mm cannons. It made its debut around late 1936 to 1937 and during its evaluation, it was a promising design. Standard firepower of the plane was three 12.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine guns in the nose and a gunner in the dorsal turret with a 7.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine gun. The prototype aircraft flew with two Isotta-Fraschini K14 series while production models of the plane had two Piaggio P.XI RC.40 "Stella" 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engines capable of 1,000 hp each, setting several new world speed records in 1937, with speeds in the 550 km/h range. By 1938-39 the Breda Ba.88 came into production but it would be retired in 1941 with only 149 made, after only brief service in Libya in the summer of 1940. The plane was found to perform much more poorly with an operational bombload and unsuitable for the designated role of heavy fighter/assault.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
;Skins
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/post/714836/en/ Skin: Semi-historical  7° Stormo camouflage - by ''_IronSun_'']
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/post/718856/en/ Skin: Fictional Navy camouflage - ''_IronSun_'']
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|ry8QOqpVzFs|'''"War Thunder Realistic: Breda 88 (P.XI) <nowiki>[</nowiki>Fun Times<nowiki>]</nowiki>"''' by ''Jengar''|yVnlvK4kcJI|'''"Breda Ba.88 - <<The Sky Police!>>"''' by ''Bo Time Gaming''}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
+
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
−
 
 
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 +
* [[Ba.65 (K.14) L]]
 +
* [[Yak-2 KABB]]
 +
* [[Br.693AB2]]
 +
* [[J1N1]]
 +
* [[Do 17 Z-7]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
−
 
 
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
 +
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/363495-breda-ba88-lince/ <nowiki>[</nowiki>WT Forum<nowiki>]</nowiki> Breda Ba.88 discussion thread]
 +
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/364960-breda-88-pxi/ <nowiki>[</nowiki>WT Forum<nowiki>]</nowiki> Breda Ba.88 Flight Model thread]
 +
* [[wikipedia:Breda_Ba.88|<nowiki>[</nowiki>Wikipedia<nowiki>]</nowiki> Breda Ba.88]]
 +
* [[wt:en/news/4696-development-ba-88-lince-a-wild-spirit-en|[Devblog] Breda Ba.88 Lince: A Wild Spirit]]
  
 +
{{AirManufacturer Breda}}
 
{{Italy attackers}}
 
{{Italy attackers}}

Revision as of 13:30, 16 September 2020

Rank IV USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Tu-1 Pack
Breda 88 (P.XI)
breda_88.png
Breda 88 (P.XI)
Italy flag.png Italy
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
1.7 1.7 2.0
Class:
Research:4 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:2 100 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Breda 88 (P.XI).jpg


The Breda 88 (P.XI) "Lince" (Ital. Lynx) is a rank I Italian attacker with a battle rating of 1.7 (AB/RB) and 2.0 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica".

Being developed in the mid-'30s the design goal was alike to many other bombers of the period: Use the bigger frame to mount even bigger engines to outrun any fighter. Setting up multiple records the Prototype Ba.88 exceeded its expectations.

But unfortunately, the prototype is NOT the final aircraft the Italian air force ended up with and NOT the version found in War Thunder. For the crucial mistake came when it was time to mount military instruments, self-sealing fuel tanks, weapon pylons, a second pilot, and armament consisting of guns, bullets and bombs. The additional weight from all this hardware turned the Lince effectively into a brick and a less-effective flying one at that. In fact in comparison, the same ranked SM 79 Sparviero medium bomber is overall a better attacker than the Breda. While the high weight and streamlined fuselage of the aircraft typically lend this type of aircraft to Boom & Zoom, getting to this point is a chore. Fortunately, the Breda 88 is so low tiered that it will indeed often face slower fighter craft. At the very least the Ba.88's three nose-mounted heavy machine guns are decent with plenty of ammo.

General info

Flight performance

With all of the additional necessary gear and equipment added to the first production series after the prototype, the Breda 88 is hopelessly overloaded (137 kg/m² wing-load) and drains any advantage the streamlined design and strong engines grant. In fact on first glance the Lince appears to be quite responsive, featuring late control lock-up speeds and decent roll-rate once spinning. But in this lies the crux of the matter. The aircraft is too heavy, any maneuver pulled must change the momentum of the aircraft, hence any steering and course correction is linked to a loss in speed and/or altitude to compensate. It bleeds speed everywhere thus seriously hampering its ability to Boom & Zoom effectively which one would think the Breda is destined for. Crawling to its ground-level top speed of 410 km/h IAS Boom & Run tactics might work against biplanes...

Take off on empty is @ 150 km/h IAS (136 f/s) in 18 s, attempting an Immelmann at top speed will cause the aircraft to stall at its zenith and a Split-S should only be performed with +500 m (1,650 ft) to spare or else impact with the ground will be a given. When attempting to gain altitude, climbing should be done at ~10° when loaded and @ 12° when empty. These data points were not copied from an Italian medium bomber, but rather are a show of inferiority compared to any other attacker at its battle rating. On the bright side, the difference between full and empty payload is minuscule.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 5,600 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 476 462 9800 29.9 30.9 6.0 5.9 730
Upgraded 504 490 28.1 29.0 9.3 7.6

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X ✓ ✓ X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
712.5 262 N/A 425 283 ~9 ~5
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 360 < 320 < 400 > 200
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
4,000 m 1,000 hp N/A

Survivability and armour

Designed to outrun any interceptors, the designers at Breda opted to forego any kind of armour protection. A shame that the Lince cannot do that. While the central fuselage tank may shield from a few pursuit shots, any frontal attacks are very likely to take out the entire crew in a single burst. This aircraft lacks in manoeuvrability leading to an overall short service life both in real life and game. Though the radial engines are rather resilient, not that it improves the survivability much.

Armaments

Offensive armament

Main article: Breda-SAFAT (12.7 mm)

The Breda 88 (P.XI) is armed with:

  • 3 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, nose-mounted (375 rpg top + 425 rpg middle + 450 rpg bottom = 1,250 total)

The three heavy machine guns are arranged and located in the nose of the aircraft. Usually, the slow firing Breda HMGs are a lacklustre affair, but the addition of a third gun elevates the firepower to just mediocre. Each is armed with different amounts of ammunition, which when firing will run empty at different times. Using tracer belts with one of the guns is a very handy visual feedback in Simulator Battles and a neat visual gimmick in other game modes.

Both "Air Targets" and "Stealth" belts are great against aircraft with their IAI-bullets (high explosive rounds), albeit their fuses may not trigger on the canvas skins of biplanes. Against ground targets, the API-T only "Tracer" belt is recommended.

Suspended armament

Main articles: GP 50 (50 kg), GP 100 (100 kg)

The Breda 88 (P.XI) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 3 x 50 kg GP 50 bombs (150 kg total)
  • 3 x 100 kg GP 100 bombs (300 kg total)

In Realistic and Simulator battles the outer bomb pair drops first with a second drop available for the central third bomb. Due to the aircraft's slow change of momentum, any dive bombing attempt below 600 m (2,000 ft) may result in unplanned self-destruction. Unfortunately, no bombsight with this attacker is available, nor does it feature a floor window for target acquisition. The plane's handling hardly changes with the payloads so the triple 100 kg one is always recommended.

Defensive armament

Main article: Breda-SAFAT (7.7 mm)

The Breda 88 (P.XI) is defended by:

  • 1 x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, dorsal turret (500 rpg)

Provides rear cover from enemy fighters which will try to knock you out. The 7.7 mm has a limited firing arc. However, controlling the aircraft allows it to be compensated for. It is best to aim for the engine and fight deck of the enemy fighter to knock it out.

Usage in battles

The Breda Ba.88 (P.XI) should be used to attack ground targets, for aerial manoeuvres it simply lacks the grace or flying ability necessary. Yet even ground strafing can be difficult due to sluggishness and even deadly as the pilot is extremely vulnerable. Try to avoid enemy planes if possible, as any enemy that engages on its own accords may prove to be fatal. Also note the Ba.88 can carry bombs but does not have air brakes or bombsights, so one must manually slow down and estimate the payload release on target.

Few viable ways of engaging enemy aircraft exist and all rely on surprising the hostile vehicle. Gaining altitude and diving on the enemy ("Boom") and then either climbing ("Zoom") or running away in level flight are recommended. Albeit this heavy fighter will greatly lose speed in any manoeuvre hence any correction for leading the target should be avoided. Bombers and other aircraft with defensive armament should be avoided entirely.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Separate Not controllable
1 gear 		Not controllable

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage repair Radiator Offensive 12 mm MCGP50
II Compressor Airframe New 12 mm MGs
III Wings repair Engine Turret 7 mm MCSAP100
IV Cover New 7 mm MGs (turret)

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Tremendous fuel load (33 minutes of fuel is the minimum)
  • Reasonable armament with a high chance of igniting fuel tanks

Cons:

  • Flying brick of an attacker
    • Poor roll rate, turn time, rate of climb, top speed and anything really
    • Will absolutely get murdered in a turn fight
  • Lack of any armour for protection
  • Plane is prone to pilot snipe
  • Poor defensive armament
  • Does not have bombsight
  • Deadweight in the line-up

History

The Breda Ba.88 was an Italian heavy fighter bomber that was made for the Regia Aeronautica's 1936 requirement for a twin-engine heavy fighter capable of 329 mph, 2000 km range, and capable of carrying 20 mm cannons. It made its debut around late 1936 to 1937 and during its evaluation, it was a promising design. Standard firepower of the plane was three 12.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine guns in the nose and a gunner in the dorsal turret with a 7.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine gun. The prototype aircraft flew with two Isotta-Fraschini K14 series while production models of the plane had two Piaggio P.XI RC.40 "Stella" 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engines capable of 1,000 hp each, setting several new world speed records in 1937, with speeds in the 550 km/h range. By 1938-39 the Breda Ba.88 came into production but it would be retired in 1941 with only 149 made, after only brief service in Libya in the summer of 1940. The plane was found to perform much more poorly with an operational bombload and unsuitable for the designated role of heavy fighter/assault.

Media

Skins
Videos
"War Thunder Realistic: Breda 88 (P.XI) [Fun Times]" by Jengar
"Breda Ba.88 - <<The Sky Police!>>" by Bo Time Gaming

See also

External links


Italian Society Ernesto Breda (Società Italiana Ernesto Breda)
Attackers  Ba.65 (K.14) L · Breda 88 (P.XI)

Italy strike aircraft
  Ba.65 (K.14) L · Breda 88 (P.XI) · F.C.20 Bis · P.108A serie 2
  Ro.57 Quadriarma · SM.91 · SM.92
Hungary  ◐Bf 110 G-4 · ◔IL-10
Romania  Hs 129 B-2 (Romania)

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