Design and Development
Following a 1938 Regia Aeronautica specification for a long-range heavy bomber, Piaggio developed the P.108. The aircraft was an all-metal, low-wing monoplane equipped with retractable conventional landing gear and four radial piston engines. The prototype first flew on 24 November 1939. A notable feature of the design was its advanced defensive armament; in addition to nose and dorsal positions, the aircraft utilized two remotely-controlled turrets mounted at the wing-root fairings to provide wider defensive arcs while keeping gunners within the fuselage.
Production and Variants
Production was limited due to industrial difficulties and engine reliability issues. While estimates vary, some sources indicate approximately 24 to 36 P.108B bombers were completed, with 24 documented as delivered. The airframe was adapted into several specialized roles: the P.108A was an anti-ship prototype armed with a 102 mm naval gun, and the P.108C was a civil airliner designed for 32 passengers. Additionally, the P.108T served as a dedicated military transport, with approximately 12 aircraft and one prototype produced, some of which were converted from the P.108C airliner.
Military Service
The P.108B entered service in July 1941 and began combat operations on 9 June 1942. All bomber variants were assigned to the 274a Squadriglia Bombardamento, known as the "Squadriglia Mussolini." This unit was named in honor of Bruno Mussolini, the son of Benito Mussolini, who died on 7 August 1941 during a training flight in a P.108. The bomber conducted 55 recorded sorties, targeting Gibraltar and Allied ports in North Africa and Algeria during Operation Torch, as well as missions over Sicily.
Following the Italian armistice on 8 September 1943, the Luftwaffe took over nine P.108T transports, utilizing them for long-range transport duties until 1944. The P.108B's offensive capability included an internal bomb load of 3,500 kg distributed across three bomb bays.
Legacy
Production ceased by 1943. The P.108 remains historically significant as the only four-engine strategic bomber operated by Italy during World War II. Despite its technical ambitions, its impact was restricted by low production numbers and mechanical instability. No complete examples of the Piaggio P.108 survive today.