The IMAM Ro.44 was a fighter seaplane created in Italy, serving as a single-seat variant of the Ro.43, which made its inaugural flight in October 1936.
Despite the Ro.43 encountering significant issues, the Ro.44 proved to be a complete failure.
Equipped with two 12.7 mm machine guns mounted in the nose, the rear fuselage of the Ro.43 underwent redesign to eliminate the observer’s position, alongside modifications to the tail.
In general, its performance was nearly equivalent to that of the Ro.43, although the Ro.44 exhibited enhanced maneuverability.
Despite its sufficient speed to intercept aircraft such as the Fairey Swordfish and Fairey Seafox, its actual performance, along with its sea-keeping abilities, was so inadequate that out of an order of 51 units, only 35 were manufactured.
These aircraft were exclusively deployed in the Aegean Sea, with 161 Squadriglia operating seven units at the onset of World War II, but they were quickly withdrawn from frontline service and reassigned to seaplane training schools.
