• Fiat CR-42 (Falco)
• Fiat G-55 (Centauro)
• Macchi MC-200 (Saetta)
• Macchi MC-202 (Folgore)
• Macchi MC-205 (Veltro)
• Reggiane RE-2000 (Falco I)
• Reggiane RE-2001 (Falco II)
• Reggiane RE-2002 (Ariete)
• Reggiane RE-2005 (Sagittario)
• Breda BA-65
• Breda BA-88 (Lince)

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The Fiat CR.42 Falco ("Falcon") was a sesquiplane which served as the primary fighter aircraft of Italy's Regia Aeronautica at the outbreak of World War II. Although outdated by monoplane fighters, it still acquitted itself well in North Africa until the advent of more advanced Allied fighters. The Fiat CR.42 was the last of the Fiat biplane fighters to enter frontline service as a fighter, and represented the epitome of the type.

The CR.42 was a design evolution of the earlier Fiat CR.32, which was in turn derived from the Fiat CR.30 series of 1932. The Regia Aeronautica had employed the CR.32 during the Spanish Civil War with great success, which led to Fiat proposing a more modern fighter based around the Fiat A.74R1C.38 radial air-cooled, geared and supercharged engine and a robust, clean biplane design. Although technically a sesquiplane with unequal span, smaller lower wings, the rigidly-braced wings covered with fabric were constructed from light duraluminum alloy and steel.

In spite of the biplane configuration, the CR.42 was a modern, "sleek-looking" design based around a strong steel and alloy frame incorporating a NACA cowling housing the radial engine and streamlined fairings for the fixed main landing gear. At the same time, the CR.42 lacked armour and radio equipment. The aircraft proved exceptionally agile thanks to its very low wing loading.

During evaluation, the CR.42 was tested against the Caproni Ca.165, another biplane, and was judged to be superior, although the Ca.165 was a much sleeker, more modern design which boasted a higher speed at the cost of manoeuverability. The age of the biplane was coming to an end when the Ministero dell'Aeronautica ordered the CR.42 in 1939 for the Regia Aeronautica, but even so, a number of other air forces expressed interest in the new fighter and a number of early Falcos were delivered to foreign customers.

Soon after its combat introduction, Fiat developed a number of variants, the CR.42bis and CR.42ter with increased firepower, the CR.42N night fighter and CR.42AS ground-attack and two-seat trainer.^[1]Experimental configurations included the I.CR.42 (Idrovolante= seaplane) and the CR.42B, an attempt to improve the type's performance by installing a Daimler-Benz DB601A in-line engine of 1,010 hp.^[2] Although this variant reached a top speed of 323 mph (518 km/h), the project was cancelled as the biplane configuration did not offer any advantages over contemporary fighter designs.

In spring 1939, the first Fiat CR.42 operational squadron was the 53 Stormo in the Regia Aeronautica. By the time Italy entered the Second World War on 10 June 1940, the Regia Aeronautica had 143 CR.42s in service. The Italian aircraft first saw combat during the Italian campaign against Southern France, flying bomber escort for Fiat BR.20 twin-engined bombers, as well as performing strike missions against French airfields. On 15 June 1940, CR.42s shot down three Bloch MB.152 and five Dewoitine D.520 monoplane fighters for the loss of five aircraft.

On 11 November 1940, CR.42s flew their first raid against Great Britain as part of the Corpo Aereo Italiano. However, German Luftwaffe aircraft had difficulty flying in formation with the slow biplanes, which also proved to be poor match for more modern British fighters, and the CR.42s were transferred back to the Mediterranean theatre. The fighter was widely used in North Africa, although largely in the ground attack role. When production was stopped in 1942, a total of 1,784 CR.42s were built. By 1943, when Italy surrendered, only around 60 of the aircraft were in flying condition.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan:
   
• Top wing: 9.70 m (31 ft 10 in)
• Bottom wing: 6.50 m (21 ft 4 in)
• Height: 3.06 m (10 ft)
• Wing area: 22.4 m² (241.0 ft²)
• Empty weight: 1,782 kg (3,929 lb)
• Loaded weight: 2,295 kg (5,060 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Fiat A.74 RIC38 radial air cooled, fourteen cylinder radial engine, 627 kW (840 hp at 2,400 r.p.m./12,500 ft)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 441 km/h (238 kt, 274 mph) at 20,000 ft
• Cruise speed: 399 km/h (215 kt, 248 mph)
• Range: 780 km (420 nm, 485 mi)
• Service ceiling 10,210 m (33,500 ft)
• Rate of climb: 11.8 m/s (2,340 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 102 kg/m² (21 lb/ft²)
• Power/mass: 270 W/kg (0.17 hp/lb)

Armament

• Guns: First series : Breda SAFAT 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Machine Gun
  • Later 2 × 12.7 mm (0.500 in) Breda SAFAT machine guns, 400 rounds/gun each.
  • Two additional 12.7 mm machine-guns in underwing fairing on some.
• Bombs: 200 kg (440 lb) on two wing hardpoints

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The Fiat G.55 Centauro (Italian: "Centaur") was a single-engine single-seat World War II fighter aircraft used by the Italian Air Force in 1943-1945. It was designed and built in Turin by Fiat.

Along with the Reggiane Re.2005 and Macchi C.205, the Fiat G.55 was one of the three "Serie 5" Italian fighters built around the powerful Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine.

By 1939, all the main Italian aircraft factories had begun designing a new series of fighter, with inline engines as opposed to the radial engines that powered the Italian fighters in early WWII. This process brought to the first generation of Italian fighters equipped with the Italian built copy of the Daimler-Benz DB 601 engine, the so-called Serie 1/2, whose most prominent representative was the Macchi C.202 Folgore. However, the process didn't stop, and already in 1941 designers shifted their attention on the new Daimler-Benz DB 605. Fiat designer Giuseppe Gabrielli, while experimenting a new version of his Fiat G.50 fighter, equipped with the DB 601, started a new design that was to be powered by the Daimler-Benz DB 605.

The first G.55 prototype flew on 30 April 1942, immediately showing its good performance and flight characteristics. It was armed with one Mauser MG 151/20 20 mm cannon, installed in the hub with 200 rounds, and four Breda-SAFAT 12.7 mm machine guns, two in the upper engine cowling and two in the lower part, with 300 rounds each, in "Sottoserie O" airframes. This layout soon proved to be troublesome, both for rearming and for the servicing of the lower machine guns: for this reason, the two lower machine guns were removed, and replaced with a Mauser MG 151 20 mm cannon in each wing, in the later production series, the Serie 1.

The prototype flew to Guidonia, where it was put into trials against the other fighters of the so-called Serie 5 Macchi C.205N Orione and the Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario. The trials showed that the Centauro was the best performer, and it won the tender set by the Regia Aeronautica. The C.205N was good at low and medium altitudes, fast and with good diving characteristics but its performance dropped considerably over 8,000 meters, particularly in handling. The Re.2005 was the fastest at high altitudes, but suffered from structural weakness. The G.55 prototype reached 620 km/h full loaded, a little less than expected, but had a strong airframe and was the best one regarding handling and stability at every altitude. The only negative assessment noted by G.55 pilots was the pronounced left-hand yawing at takeoff. This was partially remedied by a slight offset positioning of the vertical stabiliser to counteract engine torque.

By early 1943 increased Allied bombing raids over Italy had showed that there was no suitable high altitude fighter to deal with them effectively. The Macchi C.202 performance decreased above 8,000 m (25,000 ft), the typical altitude of the bombers and the MC.202's armament of two x 12.7 mm machine guns was hardly adequate to bring down the large American bombers. Of the Serie 5 fighters, the Centauro showed the best high altitude performance, due to its large wing surface area. Also its powerful armament, along with the generous ammunition supply (the G.55 had 250 rounds of 20 mm ammunition in the hub cannon as opposed to 120 rounds in the Re.2005) standardized in the production Serie I, was enough to bring down the US bombers.

The Regia Aeronautica commissioned the production of 1,800 G.55s, later raising that number to 2,400. A pre-production series of 34 examples was ordered: these aircraft were mostly based on the prototype, with minor changes to improve its flying characteristics. They had a different weapon layout, as stated above, with the two lower cowling machine guns moved into the wings. Only 19 of the 34 commissioned aircraft were built, and six of them were converted to the Serie I standard at the factory.

General characteristics

• Crew: One
• Length: 9.37 m (30 ft 9 in)
• Wingspan: 11.85 m (38 ft 10 in)
• Height: 3.13 m (without the antenna mast) (10 ft 3¼ in)
• Wing area: 21.11 m² (227.23 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2,630 kg (5,798 lb)
• Loaded weight: 3,520 kg (7,760 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 3,718 kg (8,197 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Fiat R.A 1050 Tifone (license-built Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1) liquid-cooled inverted V-12, 1,085 kW (1,475 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 623 km/h (387 mph, 337 knots) at 7,000 m (22,970 ft)
• Range: 1,200 km or 1,650 km with two 100 liter (26.4 US Gal) drop tanks under wings (627 miles, 545 NM (or 1,025 mi, 891 NM with drop tanks ))
• Service ceiling 12,750 m (41,830 ft)
• Wing loading: 154.0 kg/m² (34.15 lb/ft²)
• Power/mass: 0.308 kW/kg (0.190 hp/lb)
• Climb to 7,000 m (22,970 ft): 8.57 min

Armament

G.55 Serie 0:

• One x 20 mm Mauser MG 151/20 cannon, engine-mounted (250 rounds)
• Four x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, two in the upper engine cowling, two in the lower cowling/wing roots. (300 rounds each)

G.55 Serie I:

• Three x 20 mm Mauser MG 151/20 cannons, one engine-mounted (250 rounds) and two wing-mounted (200 rounds each)
• Two x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns in the upper engine cowling (300 rounds each)
• Provision for two 160 kg (353 lb) bombs on underwing racks. (N.B. Egyptian and Syrian aircraft used Machine guns in the wings instead of cannon.)

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The Macchi C.200 Saetta (Italian: Lightning) was a World War II fighter aircraft built by Aeronautica Macchi in Italy, and used in various forms throughout the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force).

Following the end of Italy's campaigns in East Africa, a program was started to completely re-equip the Regia Aeronautica with a new interceptor aircraft of modern design. The specifications initially called for an aircraft powered by a single radial engine, with a flight endurance of one hour, and armed with a single (later increased to two) 12.7 mm (0.50 in) machine gun.

Macchi's lead designer was Mario Castoldi, the creator of several racing aircraft which competed for the Schneider Trophy, including his Macchi M.39, which won the competition in 1926. He also designed the Macchi M.C.72, which set a world speed record for seaplanes in 1934. As of 2006 this record still stands. For this fighter, Castoldi proposed a modern all-metal cantilever low-wing monoplane, with retractable landing gear, and an enclosed cockpit. The fuselage was of semi-monocoque construction, with self-sealing fuel tanks under the pilot's seat, and in the centre section of the wing. The distinctive "hump" elevated the cockpit to provide the pilot with an unobstructed view over the engine. The wing had an advanced system whereby the hydraulically-actuated flaps were interconnected with the ailerons, so that when the flaps were lowered the ailerons drooped as well.

Power was provided by the 870 hp (650 kW) Fiat A.74 radial engine, although Castoldi preferred inline engines, and had used them in all of his previous designs. Italian industrial leaders had been instructed to concentrate solely on radials due to their better reliability.^[

The C.200 began to enter service in October 1939, by which time it had been given the name Saetta (Lightning). When Italy entered the war 10 June 1940, 156 had been delivered and some were already in front line squadrons. Although the first 240 aircraft had fully-enclosed cockpits, the subsequent variants had open cockpits at the request of the Italian pilots.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 10.58 m (34 ft 8 in)
• Height: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
• Wing area: 16.82 m² (181.00 ft²)
• Empty weight: 1,964 kg (4,330 lb)
• Loaded weight: 2,200 kg (4,840 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 2,395 kg (5,280 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Fiat A.74 R.C.38 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 650 kW (870 hp) at 2,520 rpm for takeoff

Performance

• Maximum speed: 504 km/h (313 mph) at 4,500 m (14,765 ft)
• Range: 570 km (354 mi)
• Service ceiling 8,900 m (29,200 ft)
• Rate of climb: 15.3 m/s (3,030 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 131.7 kg/m² (26.9 lb/ft²)
• Power/mass: 0.286 kW/kg (0.176 hp/lb)

Armament

• 2× 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, 370 rounds/gun
• Some aircraft were field-modified to carry up to 8x 15 kg (33 lb) or 2x 50, 100, or 150 kg (110, 220, or 330 lb) bombs under the wings

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The Macchi C.205 (also known as MC.205, "MC" standing for "Macchi Castoldi") Veltro (Italian: Greyhound) was an Italian World War II fighter aircraft built by the Aeronautica Macchi. Along with the Reggiane Re.2005 and Fiat G.55, the Macchi C.205 was one of the three "Serie 5" Italian fighters built around the powerful Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine. The C.205 was a development of the earlier C.202 Folgore.

Although the definitive Macchi fighter, able to match the best Allied opponents in speed and maneuverability, the C.205 Veltro was introduced late in the conflict. Due to poor industrial capability, only a small production run of the C.205 fighter was delivered before the end of the war.

In 1941, seeking to further improve the performance of the C.202 fighter, the Regia Aeronautica decided to license-build the German DB 605 1,100 kW (1,475 hp) liquid-cooled supercharged inverted V-12 engine in Italy, which Fiat produced as the RA.1050 R.C.58 Tifone (Typhoon). Fighter manufacturers were invited to enter versions of their designs with this engine as the caccia della serie 5 ("series-5 fighter") and were provided with imported DB 605s for prototype use. All of the designs used the number 5 in the name, with the Macchi becoming the C.205 (instead of C.202bis or C.203).

Macchi used the DB 601 engine in the C.202 which was comparable to the DB 605. The C.205V Veltro first flew on 19 April 1942, and was considered a stop-gap with the definitive variant being the 205N Orione (N stood for "new"). In testing, the Fiat G.55 Centauro and Re.2005 Sagittario proved to be better performers at high altitude due to their larger wings. In fact, the Veltro used the same wing as the earlier Folgore but its weight had increased from 2,350 to 3,408 kg (5,180 to 7,515 lb) and the wing loading from 142 to 203 kg/m² (29 to 41 lb/ft²). The Veltro's performance was similar to German designs with their higher wing loading, and was at its best at medium altitudes where it could reach 642 km/h (347 knots, 399 mph). The C.205 Veltro was placed in production until the G.55 and the Re.2005 would become available.

The first 100 Veltro Serie I were only machine gun-armed, but many were also fitted with the MG 151 cannon. There were no Serie II built, but 150 Serie III examples were ordered, which were fitted with guns in the wings as standard.

The necessity to re-engineer the forward fuselage was time-consuming, but after several months of delays, the "205N" was ready. The C.205N1 first flew on 1 November 1942, with armament consisting of a 20 mm cannon firing through the propeller hub, and four cowling-mounted 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns for which it carried 300-400 and 1,400 rounds of ammunition respectively. This configuration allowed a higher ceiling, but less speed (629 km/h), however, the better aerodynamics (with a longer and more streamlined rear fuselage) provided an overall advantage over the Macchi C.205V/MG151 (620 km/h).

The maiden flight of the second aircraft, the C.205N2, took place on 19 May 1943, and in testing reached 628 km/h (340 knots, 390 mph) which was only marginally slower than the C.205N1 with a correspondingly longer time to reach its operational altitude. It was equipped with one engine-mounted 20 mm cannon, two wing-mounted 20 mm cannon, and two fuselage-mounted 12.7 mm machine guns. The ammunition load comprised 600 or more rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, and a maximum of around 900 x 20 mm rounds which was much heavier than that carried by the C.205N1, and to a lesser extent that of the Reggiane and the Fiat which carried 490-550 and 650 x 20 mm rounds respectively. Although 1,200 aircraft were initially ordered, the design was abandoned due to the Armistice.

The N-series aircraft should have performed better than the C.205V, but Macchi test pilot Carestiano noted that their flying characteristics were inferior to the lighter and more agile C.205 Veltro. The later series also experienced overheating while in climbs.

The C.205, also known initially as the C.202bis, was similar to the previous Folgore, but there were many differences in the fuselage: the tail was larger, the cockpit and its hump redesigned, the antenna mast was bigger and some modifications were made to the wings.

The C.205 was a single-seat, all-metal, monoplane fighter, intended primarily as an interceptor but with ground attack and escort capabilities. The long nose housed the DB605 engine which drove a three-blade, constant-speed metal propeller, with the main fuel tank situated between the engine and the cockpit. The engine cooling system radiator was located under the centre section of the fuselage beneath the cockpit while the short rear section housed the radio equipment, oxygen cylinder and an 80 l reserve fuel tank. The wings were made of light alloys and steel, having two spars and three sections, housing two additional fuel tanks, in addition to the fully retractable wide-set main undercarriage gear. Apart from the all-metal flaps in the inner wing, all the other control surfaces were metal-framed and fabric covered. Veltros had self-sealing tanks, armoured seat and armoured windscreen as standard. The cramped cockpit possessed a limited field-of-view, but some examples were fitted with a rear-view mirror.

The 827 kg (normal) payload was comprised of the equipped pilot (85 kg), fuel (307 kg), two Breda machine guns and two Mauser cannon (60 and 84 kg respectvely), 740 rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition (76 kg), 500 rounds of 20 mm ammunition (100 kg), and other sundry items such as oil (33 kg), oxygen cylinder (12 kg) and radio equipment. Additionally, 100 l fuel tanks or 160 kg of bombs could be carried on two underwing hardpoints. Due to a lack of passenger transport aircraft, modifications were made to a C.205 to enable it to carry eight passengers in the belly of the fuselage, and among others, three pilots of 51° Wing (including Adriano Visconti) made the journey from Sardinia to Italy after the Armistice in this manner.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 8.85 m (29 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 10.58 m (34 ft 9 in)
• Height: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
• Wing area: 16.80 m² (180.8 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2,581 kg (5,690 lb)
• Loaded weight: 3,408 kg (7,513 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 3,900 kg (8,600 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Fiat RA.1050 R.C.58 Tifone (Daimler-Benz DB-605A) liquid-cooled supercharged inverted V12 engine, 1,475 hp (1,100 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 640 km/h (345 knots, 400 mph) at 7,500 m (24,600 ft)
• Range: 950 km (515 nm, 590 mi)
• Service ceiling 11,500 m (37,730 ft)
• Wing loading: 202.9 kg/m² (41.55 lb/ft²)

Armament

• Guns:
   
  • 2× 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, 400 rounds/gun, in the nose
  • 2× 20 mm MG 151 cannon, 250 rounds/gun, in the wings
• Bombs: 2× 160 kg bombs

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The Caproni-Reggiane Re.2000 Falco I (Falcon I) was an Italian interceptor/fighter, serving in the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force), Hungarian Air Force, and Swedish Air Force during the first part of World War II.

The Reggiane Re.2000 was designed by Ing. Longhi who took his inspiration from the contemporary Seversky P-35 which it superficially resembled. The Re.2000 prototype's first flight was on 24 May 1939, in Reggio Emilia, flown by Mario De Bernardi, and achieved a maximum speed of 515 km/h at 5,000 m. This was the Reggiane company's first aircraft having aluminum skin (panels) rather than an exclusively wooden structure. Mock dogfights to test it against other existing fighters found that it could successfully outmanoeuver the Fiat CR.32 and the German Bf 109E. The Regia Aeronautica rejected it, however, due to its unreliable engine and vulnerable fuel tanks.

Only five Serie Is served in the Regia Aeronautica, including the prototype. They were organized into the Sezione Sperimentale Reggiane inside the 74a Squadriglia in Sicily. Later it was renamed 377a Squadriglia Autonoma Caccia Terrestre, and received nine further Serie III Re.2000s. It was based in Sicily, and fought in North Africa, Malta and Pantelleria, mainly in an attack role. The last Re.2000 was sent back to the factory in September 1942.

The Regia Marina (Italian Navy) experimented with a carrier version (Serie II) of the fighter which was successfully launched by catapult, but the idea was not implemented, and the Navy used the aircraft to a limited extent, flying only from land bases. Differing with the Serie I, both Serie II and III variants were equipped with radios.

The aircraft was much more prominent in the Hungarian and Swedish air forces. In fact, 80 percent of Re.2000 production went to these two countries, with Hungary ordering 70 and Sweden 60 machines. The British government was also interested in the fighter, putting in an order for 300 Re.2000s, but this was cancelled when Italy entered the war alongside Germany.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 7.99 m (26 ft 2.5 in)
• Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
• Height: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 20.4 m² (219.59 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 2,090 kg (4,608 lb)
• Loaded weight: 2,850 kg (6,283 lb)
• Useful load: 911 kg (2,009 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Piaggio P.XI RC 40, 986 hp (731 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 530 km/h (329 mph)
• Range: 1,400 km (870 mi)
• Service ceiling 10,500 m (34,450 ft)
• Rate of climb: 11 m/s (3,175 ft/min)

Armament

• Guns: Two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns

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The Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II (Falcon II) was an Italian fighter aircraft, serving in the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force) during World War II. A contemporary of the Macchi C.202, the type was not produced in large numbers but was a flexible design that proved to be able to undertake a number of roles. The Re.2001 became the basis of a later, more formidable fighter, the Re.2005.

The Reggiane Re.2001 was a development of the Re.2000 Falco I which had been rejected by the Regia Aeronautica primarily because of its engine.^[1] This was the main problem the Falco II set out to fix, now having a 1,175 hp Alfa Romeo inline engine (a more powerful and reliable licence-built German DB 601) rather than a 986 hp Piaggio P.IX radial engine.

Incorporating much of the Re.2000's fuselage structure, even retaining the entire tail unit, the Re.2001's wings were of semi-elliptical design with three spars in each wing. The initial design had conventional fuel tanks with 544 l total capacity (five tanks, one in the fuselage and the others in the wings). The armament consisted of Breda-SAFAT machine guns, with two nose-mounted 12.7 mm (up to 800 rounds) and two 7.7 mm guns in the wings, (1200 rounds total).

The new Falco II was considered equal by most experts with the Macchi MC.202, although the Macchi fighter was still produced in greater numbers. The Re.2001 was then delayed because the Regia Aeronautica insisted on the fuel tanks being placed inside the wings, which required a substantial redesign of the wing structure. The first order amounted to 300 machines, but was later cut to 120 due to difficulties in the engine manufacture.

Due to the wing redesign coupled with production delays, the first production aircraft were finally cleared for operational use in June 1941, nearly a year behind schedule.

Along with the fighter variant, two other main variants were developed to suit specialised roles. The Re.2001 CB (Cacciabombardiere, Fighter-bomber) version produced from 1942 could carry a 100 or 250 kg bomb under the fuselage for the attack role. The CN (Caccia notturno, Night fighter) version was adapted with the introduction of engine exhaust-flame dampers and a 20 mm Mauser MG 151/20 cannon in two gondolas, one under each wing, although many fighters retained the original armament. A total of 34 CNs were produced of the 50 ordered.

The Re.2001 was to reach operational status late in 1941 with 2° Gruppo (part of 6° Stormo) based at Gorzia. Relocated to Rome-Ciampino in December, the unit was worked up to full standard in preparation for deploying to Sicily, arriving on 4 May 1942. In May 1942, Re.2001s began to fly escort missions over Malta, encountering British Spitfire Mk Vs. Generally slower than contemporary fighters, at lower and medium altitudes the Re.2001 was able to hold its own, but above 7,000 m (23,000 ft), the Spitfire clearly had a speed advantage. Against the Hawker Hurricane, the Re.2001 fared better and could take on this opponent on a more equal basis, although the type was noticeably slower at most altitudes.

By the end of June, 22° Gruppo based at Rome-Ciampino received their first Re.2001 CBs and redeployed to Monserrato, Sardinia, later to be transferred to Sicily to participate in the raids on Malta. Canadian ace "Buzz" Beurling claimed a Re.2001 over Malta.

A notable action took place on 12 August 1942 when two Re.2001G/Vs modified to carry single 640 kg (1,410 lb) fragmentation bombs, accompanied by a fighter escort of Re.2001s, carried out a successful attack on HMS Victorious during Operation Pedestal. Reportedly, the Re.2001s were not challenged because of their similarity in appearance to Sea Hurricanes. During the attack, a direct hit was scored on the aircraft carrier's flight deck but the bomb failed to explode and fell harmlessly into the sea.

Beginning in spring 1942 Reggiane Re.2001 CN night fighters were issued to 59° Gruppo, and primarily used in the defence of Italian cities. As the tide of war shifted, the Re.2001 units were constantly moved from base to base and finally by 10 July 1943 when the invasion of Sicily began, all available Re.2001 fighters were diverted to defend Italy and nearby Mediterranean islands held by Italian forces.

Later in 1943, the fighter in all of its variants was used to defend northern and central Italy. Fighter pilots praised the Re.2001's handling qualities (some considered it more maneuverable than the Macchi C.202) but like many Italian combat aircraft, the type experienced poor serviceability and many of the units using the Re.2001 were not fully equipped.

The complexity of the Re.2001 design led to higher costs (in 1942, the production cost of the Re.2001 was 600,000 lire versus 520,000 lire of the Macchi C.202) and slowed production rates which also limited its effectiveness as a fighter. Due to attrition, only 33 Re.2001s were available at the Armistice. Furthermore, poor serviceability meant that only nine Re.2001s survived the split into civil war in Italy, eight going to the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force with the Allies, and one to the Italian Social Republic.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 8.36 m (27 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
• Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
• Wing area: 20.4 m² (219.58 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2,495 kg (5,500 lb)
• Loaded weight: 3,280 kg (7,231 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Alfa Romeo RA 1000 RC 41-la Monsone (license-built DB 601A-1), 871 kW (1,175 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 542 km/h (337 mph)
• Range: 1,100 km (684 mi)
• Service ceiling 11,000 m (36,090 ft)
• Rate of climb: 780 m/min (2,591 ft/min)

Armament

• Guns: Two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns in upper cowling; Two 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns in wings

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The Reggiane Re.2002 Ariete was an Italian fighter-bomber developed during World War II. The aircraft was a further development of the Re.2000, with some of the modifications that already had been introduced in the Re.2001. The aircraft was mainly used by the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force), but it also saw limited use with the German Luftwaffe, who used it against the French resistance.

The Re.2002 project began with the conversion of the Re.2000 to Regia Aeronautica specifications including a redesigned wing and conventional fuel tanks. A contract for a single conversion resulted in the Reggiane company using this as the basis of a new aircraft. The Re.2002 was designed by Roberto Longhi and Antonio Alessio, who took a modified and strengthened Re.2000 fuselage, mated to Re.2001 wings and a more powerful radial engine, the Piaggio P.XIX R.C.45 Turbine (1,175 hp). ^[2] The decision to go back to radial engines was partly made due to the difficulty in obtaining German made Daimler-Benz DB 601 engines and Longhi's preference for radial engines.

The first prototype flew in October 1940, approximately three months after the Re.2001. The evaluation period showed some reliability problems with the Piaggio engine and therefore the aircraft served primarily as an attack aircraft instead, as it could carry a considerable payload, by Italian standards.

Operational history

In September 1941, the Italian Air Force ordered 200 aircraft, delivery of which began in March 1942. The aircraft equipped the 5° Stormo and 50° Stormo, although the engine problems hadn't been fully solved. The first batch of 100 aircraft were delivered by July 1943, but only part of the second batch was delivered before the armistice with the Allies.

The squadrons equipped with Re.2002s saw a great deal of action with the Allied landings in Sicily although they also suffered many losses. During the first four days, when the Italian Air Force tried to attack allied ships, 14 aircraft were destroyed by British Spitfire Mk Vs. Allied bombing raids and strafing of airfields destroyed many aircraft on the ground. Due to the lack of fuel, the Re.2002s were only used sporadically, often equipped with three 250 kg or 100 kg bombs.

Some of the last skirmishes took place on September 3, 1943, when The British 8th Army landed at Calabria. Fifteen Re.2002s from 5° Stormo attacked the landing force. Three pilots were killed, among them was Giuseppe Cenni, the commander of the unit.

The Germans had shown interest in buying 300 Re.2002s before the Armistice. They planned to use the German produced BMW 801 radial engine in order to eliminate the deficiencies with the Piaggio engine. However, Reggiane could not satisfy the demand, and none were delivered. However, some 40 "factory-fresh" Re.2002s along with 20 aircraft requisitioned from operational stocks were taken over by the Germans after the Italian armistice, and used against the French resistance.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 8.16 m (26 ft 9 in)
• Wingspan: 11 m (36 ft 1 in)
• Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
• Wing area: 20.4 m² (219.6 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 2,400 kg (5,280 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 3,240 kg (7,128 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Piaggio P.XIX RC 45 Turbine radial engine, 877 kW (1,175 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 530 km/h (329 mph, 286 knots)
• Range: 1,100 km (680 mi, 590 nm)
• Service ceiling 10,500 m (34,450 ft)

Armament

• Guns: Two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns
  Two 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns
• Bombs: 650 kg on three hardpoints

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The Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario (English: Archer) was an Italian monoplane fighter/fighter-bomber produced for the Regia Aeronautica during the later years of World War II. Along with the Macchi C.202/C.205 and Fiat G.55, the Re. 2005 was one of the three "Serie 5" Italian fighters built around the famous Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine. Only 48 examples were built.

The Reggiane 2005 was the last of the Reggiane aircraft line to be built in World War II. The project which started in 1941 was carried out by a team led by Roberto Longhi, and included designers Alessio, Maraschini, Toniolo and Pozzi. Preliminary work was completed before the end of the year despite being a new project, and not simply a revamping of an existing aircraft design such as the Reggiane Re.2002. The DB 605 engine still had to be delivered when the airframe was ready in February 1942.

The resulting machine was not only rated as one of the best Italian wartime aircraft, but also one of the best if not the best-looking. Its semi-elliptical wings, long nose and large tail were all distinctive features of this small, nimble fighter.

The prototype MM.494 first flew 9 May 1942, but the day after, a heavy landing led to an undercarriage failure which caused serious damage, and consequently was unable to fly again until June (MM.494 was damaged two other times in tests). This prototype had four Breda 12.7 mm machine guns and one Mauser cannon and was primarily used for testing, and then for the aerial defense of Naples.

After a fierce competition, in which the C.205N was quickly abandoned, and the G.55 considered marginally better, the Regia Aeronautica ordered the production of 750 Re.2005 aircraft.

The Re.2005 was a low-wing, single-engine, single-seat fighter monoplane, made of light alloys. Propulsion was by a 1,475 hp Daimler Benz DB.605A-1 engine, either of original German production or built by Fiat as the RA.1050 RC.58 Tifone (Typhoon), driving a right-handed three-bladed Piaggio P.2001 constant speed, mechanically controlled variable-pitch metal propeller. The streamlined but tiny fuselage was almost totally dominated by the DB 605 engine and did not allow for fuel storage. As well, the fuselage-mounted MG 151/20 cannon had less ammunition than those mounted in the wings (150 rounds versus 170 rounds in the wing gun bays from the second prototype on). The comparable Fiat G.55 had 250 rounds for the fuselage gun, but also 600 for a 12.7 mm machine gun. The smaller Re.2005 also carried 100 less 20 mm but 100 more 12.7 mm rounds, with an overall lighter armament array.

The aft fuselage was unusually small, even by Italian standards. It contained the radio equipment and oxygen bottles, and supported the contrastingly large vertical tail surface. The cockpit was covered by a canopy which tilted to the right for access, and had an armoured 50 mm glass windscreen. Other protection included an armoured seat incorporating an 8 mm-thick steel shell weighing 40 kg. Overall its effectiveness wasn't anything special by 1942 standards, and provided little protection against 12.7 mm rounds which were capable of piercing even 25 mm at short distances, but the armour used was more resistant than homogeneous steel, since it was tempered. Given the heavy weight of a thick steel plate, every attempt was made to make the steel alloy used stronger. A headrest was attached to bulkhead six.

The sophisticated wing design, often described as elliptical, was actually semi-elliptical, with wing thickness tapering from 15% at the root to 8% at the tip. The structure of the three spars incorporated a "T" section. The triangular-shaped wing and tail control surfaces were mostly fabric-covered, and included all-metal two-part split flaps, and statically balanced ailerons. Fuel was carried in four self-sealing wing tanks, two forward and two behind, providing a capacity of 525 litres. The undercarriage included "wide-stance" main gear retracting outwards into the wings, and a fully-retractable tailwheel.

It was one of the most advanced Italian fighters but it was also reputedly too advanced to be made by the Italian industry, and one of the most expensive if not the most expensive to produce. Its complex design and small dimensions led to its contemporary, the Fiat G.55, being evaluated as a superior choice for mass production.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 8.73 m (28 ft 7.75 in)
• Wingspan: 11.00 m (36 ft 1 in)
• Height: 3.15 m (10 ft 4 in)
• Wing area: 20.4 m² (219.58 sq. ft)
• Empty weight: 2,600 kg (5,730 lb)
• Loaded weight: 3,610 kg (7,960 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Fiat R.A. 1050 RC 58 Tifone, (license built DB 605), 1,350 hp(1,007 kW)

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 800 km/h (500 mph)
• Maximum speed: 628 km/h at 2000 m, 678 km/h at 7,000 m (390 mph at 6,560 ft, 421 mph at 22,965 ft
• Cruise speed: 515 km/h (320 mph)
• Stall speed: 155 km/h (85mpth)
• Range: 980 km (609 mi)
• Service ceiling 11,500 m (37,730 ft)
• Rate of climb: 20 m/s (6.5 min. to 6,000 m)
• Wing loading: 177 kg/m^2 max (36 lb/sq ft max)

Armament

• Guns :Two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns in upper cowling (350rpg); one 20 mm MG 151 cannon firing through propeller hub (150rpg); two 20 mm MG 151 cannon in wings (200rpg)

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The Breda Ba.65 was a single-engine ground attack aircraft used by the Italian Regia Aeronautica during the Spanish Civil War and World War II.

An evolution of Breda Ba.64, the Ba.65 was designed by Antonio Parano and Giuseppe Panzeri. The Ba.65 was a single-seat, all-metal, cantilever low-wing monoplane with aft-retracting main undercarriage. Like its predecessor, it was intended to undertake aeroplano di combattimento multiple roles as a fighter, attack and reconnaissance aircraft. The Ba.65 carried wing-mounted armament of two 12.7 mm and two 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, with internal stowage for a 200 kg (400 lb) bombload in addition to external ordnance that could total 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). The prototype, which was first flown in September 1935, like the initial production aircraft, used the 522 kW (700 hp) Gnôme-Rhône K-14 produced under license by Isotta-Fraschini. Starting from the 82nd aircraft, the more powerful Fiat A.80 RC.41 18-cylinder, twin-row radial engine with a takeoff rating of 746 kW (1,000 hp) engine was adopted. Production ceased in July 1939 after 218 aircraft were built by Breda and Caproni.

The Breda Ba.65 debuted during the Spanish Civil War, with the Aviazione Legionaria using the Series I variant powered by the Gnôme-Rhône engine. It proved effective, and was compared positively with the German Junkers Ju 87. In a unique engagement, on 24 July 1936 one of the Aviazione Legionaria pilots scored an air-to-air victory when he encountered a lone twin-engine Tupolev SB-2 bomber over Soria and shot it down. Of the 23 Ba.65s sent to Spain, 12 had been lost in the course of the civil war. The Ba.65s flew 1,921 sorties, including 368 ground-strafing and 59 dive-bombing attacks. When the Aviazione Legionaria returned to Italy in May 1938, they bequeathed their 11 surviving Ba.65s to the Spanish Air Force.

During World War II, the Ba.65 was employed against the British in North Africa. Most were either out of service or shot down by February 1941. The aircraft, which had been forcibly kept in service after the failure of the Breda Ba.88 and the poor performances shown by the Caproni Ca.310, was replaced by modified S.79s or fighters in the dive bomber role.

Twenty-five Isotta-powered Breda Ba.65s were sold to Iraq in 1938 and saw action against the British. Chile bought 20 powered by the Piaggio P.XI (also a 14K derivative) and Portugal purchased 12, in June 1939. The Soviet Union received ten aircraft.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 9.30 m (30 ft 6.1 in)
• Wingspan: 12.10 m (39 ft 8.4 in)
• Height: 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 23.5 m² (253 ft²)
• Empty weight: 2,400 kg (5,300 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 2,950 kg (6,500 lb)
• Powerplant: 1× Fiat A.80 RC.41 radial engine, 746 kW (1,000 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 430 km/h (230 knots, 270 mph)
• Range: 550 km (342 mi)
• Service ceiling 6,300 m (20,670 ft)

Armament

• Guns:
   
  • 2 × 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns
  • 2 × 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns
• Bombs: 500 kg

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The Breda Ba.88 Lince (Italian: Lynx) was a ground-attack plane used by the Italian Regia Aeronautica during World War II. Although its streamlined external shape and retractable undercarriage made it look highly advanced for the time, its operational career was cut short when the production aircraft were loaded down with military equipment, resulting in a greatly reduced performance.

The Breda Ba.88 was designed to fulfill a 1936 requirement by the Regia Aeronautica for a heavy fighter-bomber capable of a maximum speed of 530 km/h (more than that of any other aircraft existing or being planned at the time,), armament of 20 mm cannons and range of 2,000 km. It first flew in October 1936. The project was derived from the aborted Ba.75 also designed by Giuseppe Panzeri and Antonio Parano.

The Breda Ba.88 was an all metal, twin-engine, two-crew, high-speed monoplane, with a high-mounted wing. It employed a "concentric" fuselage design, with a framework of steel tubes and a metallic skin covering which was both streamlined (having a very small fuselage cross-section) and strong. However this internal load-bearing structure was very complex and of outdated design, as monocoque stressed-skin designs were starting to be developed elsewhere. The internal struts resulted in excessive weight compounded by manufacturing delays. The narrow confines of the fuselage would require the Ba.88 to carry bombs in a semi-external structure, much to the detriment of the aircraft's aerodynamics. The all-metal wings had two longerons, and housed the engine nacelles, undercarriage main elements, and the majority of the 12 self-sealing fuel tanks (the only protective armour in the aircraft), providing a 1,586 l total capacity. All three undercarriage units were retractable, which was unusual for the time.

The aircraft was powered by two Piaggio P.XI air-cooled radial engines. They were of the same type as used in other projects such as the Re.2000, and drove two three-bladed, continuous-speed 3.2 m diameter Breda propellers. The engine nacelles also carried the two main undercarriage units. It had a twin tail to provide the dorsal Breda-SAFAT 7.7 mm machine gun with a better field of fire.

As for armament, the aircraft had three nose-mounted Breda 12.7 mm machine guns with 400, 450 and 400 rounds respectively. Another Breda (7.7 mm caliber, with 250-500 rounds) with a high arc of fire, was fitted in the rear cockpit and controlled by a complex motorised electrical system. A modern "San Giorgio" reflex gun sight was fitted, and there was even a provision to mount a 20 mm cannon instead of the central Breda-SAFAT machine gun in the nose. The payload was composed of three bombs of 50 (real weight: 69 kg ), 100 (129) and 250 (259) kg, or a Nardi dispenser for 119 two kg bomblets. All these weapons gave the Ba.88 impressive armament for its time.

The forward pilot's cockpit was fully-instrumented, with an airspeed indicator capable of reading to 560 km/h, gyroscope and an altimeter (useful to 8,000 m).

Two Gruppi (Groups) were equipped with the Breda Ba.88 on June 1940, operating initially from Sardinia against the main airfield of Corsica, with 12 aircraft on 16 June 1940 and three on 19 June 1940. The crews soon found that the Bredas were extremely underpowered and lacked agility, but the lack of fighter opposition resulted in them being able to perform their missions without losses.

Later, 64 aircraft became operational serving 7imo Gruppo in the North African Theatre with 19imo stationed in Sardinia, but their performance remained extremely poor resulting in the 7imo Gruppo being grounded from the end of June until September, when the Italian offensive against British forces started. Of three aircraft used, one was not even capable of taking off, and another could not turn and was forced to fly straight from their base at Castelvetrano to Sidi Rezegh.

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 10.79 m (35 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 15.6 m (51 ft 2 in)
• Height: 3.1 m (10 ft 2.75 in)
• Wing area: 33.34 m² (358.9 ft²)
• Empty weight: 4,650 kg (10,252 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 6,750 kg (14,881 lb)
• Powerplant: 2× Piaggio P.XI RC. 40 Radial, 1,000 hp (746 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 490 km/h (304 mph)
• Range: 1,640 km (1,020 mi)
• Service ceiling 8,000 m (26,245 ft)

Armament

• Guns: Three 12.7 mm forward-firing Breda-SAFAT machine guns, one 7.7 mm rearward-firing Breda-SAFAT machine gun

• Bombs :Internal bomb load of 1,000 kg

1935-1943

1943-1946

1943-1945