F_Giulli_Breda_Ba201
The Ba.201 prototype first flew on 3 July 1941, and was then sent to Guidonia for official testing. The aircraft showed that it had enough agility, once freed of its bomb load, to hold its own against other Italian fighters. However speed was disappointing, only 460 km/h (290 mph), slower than the requested for 500 km/h (310 mph) and slightly slower than older front-line fighters. The aircraft was barely capable of defending itself against enemy fighters, and then only after releasing its bomb. It had very good forward visibility, but rear visibility was poor.
