https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breda-Zappata_BZ.308

The Breda-Zappata B.Z.308 was an Italian four-engined airliner produced by
Breda.

The B.Z.308 was a four-engined civil transport developed in the late 1940s for
operation over both European and transatlantic routes. A large low-wing
monoplane of all-metal construction, it was powered by four Bristol Centaurus
radial engines driving five-bladed propellers. It had a large tailplane with
endplate fins and rudders, and had retractable landing gear. The fuselage, oval
in cross-section, accommodated a flight crew of five and 55 passengers in two
cabins; a high-density model was planned with seats for 80.

Construction began during 1946, under aircraft designer Filippo Zappata at
Breda's Sesto San Giovanni works. The Allied Commission halted the work, which
was not resumed until January 1947. Further delays in the delivery of Bristol
Centaurus engines delayed the first flight, which was on 27 August 1948, piloted
by Mario Stoppani. Although flight testing went well, the project was abandoned
as a result of financial problems, anticipated competition from American
airliners in the postwar market, and pressure (under the Marshall plan) to close
down Breda’s aeronautical section. Breda subsequently stopped producing aircraft
entirely.


Role
Four-engined airliner

Manufacturer
Breda

Designer
Filippo Zappata

First flight
1948

Introduction
1949

Primary user
Italian Air Force

Number built
1

The prototype B.Z.308 was acquired by the Italian Air Force in 1949 as a
transport aircraft (MM61802). Despite orders in 1950 from India, Argentina and
Persia, only the prototype was built, allegedly also due to pressure from the
allies for Italy to refrain from competing in civilian aircraft manufacture
after the war.

On 27 August 1948 the Bz 308 made its maiden flight in front of civil and
military authorities, politicians and the Italian President. The prototype,
which passed to the Italian Air Force in 1950, was used to fly between Rome and
Mogadishu until February 21, 1954, when it was damaged beyond repair by a
collision with a cement truck, and was abandoned in a field in Somalia before
being broken up.

It was also the first Italian transatlantic aircraft, and the first aircraft to
fly into the new Malpensa airport in 1948.

Specifications (B.Z.308)

General characteristics
Crew: five (two pilots, flight engineer, navigator and radio operator)
Capacity: 54 passengers
Length: 33.52 m (110 ft 0 in)
Wingspan: 42.1 m (138 ft 1 in)
Height: 7.15 m (23 ft 5 in)
Wing area: 208 m2 (2,240 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 8.55:1
Empty weight: 27,500 kg (60,627 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 46,500 kg (102,515 lb)
Fuel capacity: 18,000 L (4,800 US gal; 4,000 imp gal)
Powerplant: 4 × Bristol Centaurus 568 18-cylinder air-cooled radial engines,
1,900 kW (2,500 hp) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 573 km/h (356 mph; 309 kn)
Cruise speed: 441 km/h (274 mph; 238 kn) at 4,300 m (14,100 ft)
Stall speed: 135 km/h (84 mph; 73 kn)
Range: 7,700 km (4,785 mi; 4,158 nmi)
Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,000 ft)



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