SH48183 1/48 IMAM Romeo Ro.37 A30 engine
In the early 1930s, the Italian Regia Aeronautica operated IMAM Ro.1, licence built Fokker C.V reconnaissance and observation biplanes. The military were quite happy with the type, however when IMAM offered a new biplane designed by Giovanni Galasso, the decision was taken to acquire this new aircraft. Following the prototype’s successful test flights production commenced in 1934. The Ro.37 was powered by an inline Fiat A.30 engine. The Italian military also considered a version fitted with a Piaggio P.IX radial engine. This version was known as the Ro.37bis and was produced alongside the in-line engined type. The Ro.37 and 37bis became the main observation and reconnaissance types of the Regia Aeronautica and remained in service until Italy surrendered on 25th August 1943. By this time, a total of 621 machines of both versions had been produced, 325 of which were the bis version. The very first time the type saw combat action was during the Italian attack on Abyssinia (Ethiopia). They also fought in the Spanish Civil War, operated both by the Aviazione Legionaria and by the Aviación Nacional.
By the time Italy became involved in the war, the Regia Aeronautica had had 483 of both versions, 200 of which were the bis, but only about a hundred of machines were in fact airworthy. They saw service over the Balkans, Northern Africa and mainland Italy.