Fiat CR.42
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The Fiat CR.42 Falco ("Falcon") was a biplane which served as the primary fighter aircraft of Italy's Regia Aeronautica at the outbreak of World War II.
Development
The epitome of a biplane fighter, CR.42 represented evolution of the Italian designs starting with Fiat CR.20 and progressing through the successful Fiat CR.32. Although the age of the biplane was coming to an end when CR.42 entered service in 1939, Regia Aeronautica had high expectations for their new fighter thanks to the success seen by CR.32 during Spanish Civil War. In spite of the biplane scheme, CR.42 was a rather modern design with steel and duraluminum frame covered with fabric and a NACA cowling around the radial engine. At the same, CR.42 oddly lacked armor and radio equipment. The aircraft proved exceptionally agile thanks to its very low wing loading.Operational history
When Italy entered World War II on June 10, 1940, Regia Aeronautica had 143 CR.42 in its squadrons. The aircraft first saw combat during the Italian campaign against Southern France flying bomber escort for Fiat BR.20 as well as strike missions against French airfields. On June 15, 1940, CR.42 shot down 3 Bloch MB.152 and 5 Dewoitine D.520 fighters at the loss of 5 aircraft. On November 11, 1940, CR.42 flew their first raid against Great Britain. 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 CR.42 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 1,781 CR.42 were built. By 1943, when Italy surrendered, only around 60 of these aircraft were in flying condition.CR.42 was exported to Hungary, Belgium, and Sweden. The Hungarian aircraft were used in the ground attack role against USSR until December 1941. Belgium ordered 34 CR.42 in 1939 with only a small number delivered before the war began. It is unclear whether any of the Belgian aircraft actually participated in combat. Sweden received 72 CR.42 which were equipped with radios, 20 mm (0.8 in) armor plate behind the pilot, and ski landing gear. Swedish aircraft were designated J-11.
Variants
- CR.42 were usually armed with 2x 12.7 mm machine guns; in order to save weight and improve dogfighting ability, often a field modification was carried out, replacing one of the 12.7 mm machine guns with a 7.62 mm machine gun. .
- CR.42AS - modified for desert conditions in North Africa (AS - Africa Settentrionale; North Africa); additional engine filter to prevent damage from sand. The filter caused a limited loss in power, but this was a common occurrence in North Africa, since filterless engines could be expected to be damaged after only a few hours.
- CR.42B - one aircraft equipped with the Daimler-Benz DB 601 engine, estimated maximum speed 520 km/h (323 mph).
- CR.42bis - 4x 12.7 mm machine guns with two additional guns mounted in blisters under the wings.
- CR.42CN - night fighter version with spotlights in gondolas under the wings and prolonged engine exhausts.
- ICR.42 - experimental floatplane version designed by CMASA, top speed decreased by only 8 km/h (5 mph) in spite of the 124 kg (273 lb) increase in weight.
- CR.42 Bombe Alari - (not an official production name, but a widely used one) Modification carried out at SRAMs (repair centers) , to allow outdated fighters to be used in ground attack roles. Underwing pylons for 2x50 kg bombs were added ; often these pylons were even loaded with 100 kg bombs. Same modification was carried on Fiat G50 s and Macchi C 200 s.
Operators
Specifications (CR.42)
References
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