Aviation of World War II

Ro.58 is a multi-role fighter developed by the IMAM design team. Giovanni Galasso, Pietro Calerio and Manglio Fiore were tasked to create a new hunter-fighter based on the IMAM Ro.57 heavy fighter. The new aircraft was supposed to be all-metal, have strong armament and good flight characteristics (speed of at least 600 km / h, range of 1,500 kilometers and a service ceiling of at least 10,000 meters). The aircraft's armament was to consist of three front 20-mm Mauser cannons, two of the same cannons under the cockpit and a 12.7-mm Breda-SAFAT defensive machine gun mounted at the rear of the aircraft. In addition, provision was made for the suspension of light bombs on the underwing hardpoints.

The first flight took place in May 1942, during which an incident occurred with the aircraft (MM 431). After takeoff over the airfield, the aircraft engine failed due to overheating. The results of this first flight led to important changes in the design of the aircraft: water coolers were moved under the engines, oil coolers were installed on the left side of the engines and the tail section of the fuselage was radically redesigned.

It should be noted that comparative speed tests were carried out in level flight on a control segment with the Me-410 aircraft, which ended with a Me-410 lagging by a kilometer. Comparative flights at altitude also showed the Ro-58's advantages in maximum speed over almost the entire altitude range. In the performance of acrobatic aerobatics, the Ro.58 also showed an advantage. It could be said that the Ro.58 was the aircraft of the highest class, but this aircraft was not easy and reliable to fly: the specific wing loading was very high and amounted to 250 kg / m & # 178 ;.

The twin-engine aircraft with high wing loading required experienced pilots with good navigational training to complete the five-hour flight. There was no way to form a new unit with elite pilots: this led to a crisis of all other fighter units, which needed the experience and leadership of veterans much more. These considerations formed the basis for the rejection of the Ro.58 into service.

Technical description. Ro.58 is a heavy two-seat twin-engine monoplane fighter. The fuselage is all-metal with a working duralumin skin.

The wing is all-metal, the deflecting surfaces have a metal frame with linen sheathing at the ailerons and metal at the flaps. Handley-Page slats.

The main landing gear is retracted into the engine nacelles by turning back. The tail support is swivel retractable.

The two-fin tail assembly is all-metal, the deflecting surfaces are covered with canvas.

The cockpit is glazed, the canopy opens to the side; glazed cockpit located separately from the pilot.

Standard instrumentation for determining flight parameters and engine control.

The main fuel tank is located in the fuselage, and two additional fuel tanks are located in the wing.

Daimler-Benz DB.601 engines with three-bladed Alfa Romeo propellers with variable pitch variable in flight.

The armament of the aircraft consists of three 20-mm Mauser 151/20 cannons in the nose, two 20-mm Mauser 151/20 cannons in the ventral pod and one 12.7-mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun for protection in the rear hemisphere.

Photo	Description
	Drawing IMAM Ro.58

Bibliography

• Encyclopedia of Military Equipment / Aerospace Publising /
• Heavy fighter IMAM Ro.58 / Alternative History. Ivan Byakin. /