#bombers
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 Pipistrello was the first three-engined bomber/transport aircraft serving in the Regia Aeronautica (Royal Italian Air Force). When it appeared in 1935, it represented a real step ahead in Italian military aviation as it was fast, well armed and had a long range. In War Thunder, this airplane is featured as an early bomber available in the Italian aviation tech tree which, albeit not the fastest or well protected, is quite powerful if used correctly, mainly thanks to its payloads, which are quite impressive for a frontline bomber at its rank.
During the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the unexpected appearance of the Russian-built Tupolev SB-2 bomber in Chinese skies caught the Japanese Army off guard. The SB-2's speed at altitude was nearly equal to that of the Nakajima Ki-27, which had only just been introduced to the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF). This performance gap rendered the SB-2 almost impervious to Japanese fighter interception, leaving a significant impression on Japanese military planners. Thus, the Kawasaki Ki-48 was conceptualized in 1937 as a Japanese equivalent of the Soviet-built bomber.
The TB-3M-27-32 is a rare and very solid low rank bomber. Although it is quite slow, it has a very good payload for its rank and good survivability. It has various payload options ranging from FAB-100 bombs to FAB-500. It has a total of 5 gunners with an overall good coverage, particularly above the aircraft. The aircraft's large size makes it somewhat durable against enemy fire, although it will struggle to fly at all with extensive damage due to its already very low top speed.
The Nakajima Ki-49 was developed in response to a 1938 Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF) specification, which aimed to replace the Mitsubishi Ki-21 (Army Type 97 Heavy Bomber) that was just entering service with the 14th Sentai. The specification called for an aircraft that could operate without fighter escort, relying instead on its speed and heavy armament for protection.
For most of the major powers during World War II, fast twin-engine medium bombers were essential assets. Japan, however, did not field a comparable aircraft until 1944. That year, the Japanese Army introduced the Ki-67 Hiryū, while the Navy received the P1Y1 Ginga (Milky Way). The Ginga prototype first flew in the summer of 1943, and confidence in its design was so high that Nakajima, the primary manufacturer, bypassed extended testing and moved straight to mass production. By the end of 1943, 45 units were delivered, and production ramped up steadily, reaching 453 aircraft by October 1944, when the Navy officially accepted the design. However, the Ginga faced significant reliability and maintenance issues, leaving many aircraft unfit for operational use initially.
