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Italy's Fiat CR.42 Falco (Falcon) fighter1,2,3
Fiat CR.42 Fighter:
Fiat CR.42 Fighter:
Fiat CR.42 Fighter:
Fiat CR.42 Fighter, Notturno:
Design
Most major counties were moving towards monoplane fighters, however Celestino Rosatelli of Fiat put forward a design for the CR.42.1,3,4 It was based on the CR.32 that was from the early 1930s.2,3
Wing
The wings were rigidly braced and constructed in two sections that were joined as the centerline with support above the fuselage.1 They were manufactured from light allow and steel with a fabric covering.1 Ailerons were only on the top wing.1
Fuselage
The fuselage was made from steel tubing.1 From the cockpit forward were metal panels covering the frame.1 The rest of the fuselage was fabric covered.1 The tail wheel was in a faired mount and was not retractable.1
The fuel tank was located in the rear of the fuselage behind a fireproof bulkhead.1
Pilot
The pilot was located in a cockpit that was behind a cutout in the top wing.1
Prototype
First flown in January 1939 and entered service in November 1939.1
First flew in 1939.3
The CR.42 first flew on May 23, 1938.4
Production
A total of 1,7812,3,4 / 1,784 were produced from 1939 to 1943.1
The CR.42 was produced until early 1942.4
When Italy surrendered there were still 64 CR.42s in service.2
Variants
- CR.42: Main fighter variant.1
- CR.42AS (Africa Settentionale): Fighter bomber version.3 Used in North Africa.4
- CR.42CN: Night figher.4 Had searchlights.4
- CR.42DB: Prototype with Daimler-Benz DB601 V12 engine (1,010 HP).4 Maximum speed 323 mph / 520 kph.4
- I.C.R.42: In 1940 one had two floats added.1,4
Usage
Belgium (25 in 1940), Finland, Germany, Hungary (52 in 1939-1940), Italy, and Sweden (72 in 1940-1941) used the CR.42.4
World War II
There were three stormi that were equipped with CR.42s in September 1939.2,3
When Italy entered the war in June 1940 there were 330 CR.42s in service with four stormi in the Mediterranean and two squadriglie in Italian East Africa.2,3
Belgium
Over half of the CR.42 that Belgium had were destroyed on the ground by the Luftwaffe.4
Battle of Britain
Italy based 50 CR.42s in Belgium for use against England.1,2,3 There were heavy loses.2
Greece
There was one gruppo of three squadriglie that were equipped with CR.42s during the campaign in Greece.2,3
East Africa
51 CR 42s were sent to the 412° and 413° Squadriglie in East Africa.3
Africa
The 5°, 15°, and 50° Stormi Assalti used the CR.42 until November 1942.2
Hungary
In 1941 Hungary ordered 68 CR.42s that were used in Yugoslavia.1 They were later used against the Soviet Union.1
Sweden
Fiat CR.42 Fighter with the Swedish air force:
| Fiat CR.42 Falco1,2,3,4 | Fiat CR.42bis Falco4 | Fiat CR.42ter Falco4 | Fiat CR.42AS Falco4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1,2,3,4 | |||
| Crew | 11,2,3,4 | |||
| Engine (Type) | Fiat A.74 R1C.38 piston1,2,3 Fiat A.74 RC384 |
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| Cylinders | Two row 141 Radial3, Radial 144 |
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| HP | 8401,2,3,4 | |||
| Cooling | Air1 | |||
| Propeller blades | 34 | |||
| Dimensions | ||||
| Span | 31' 9 7/8"2, 31' 9.9"3, 31' 10"1,2 9.7 m1,2,3,4 |
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| Length | 27' 7/8"2, 27' 1.2"3, 27' 2"1, 27' 3"4 8.26 m2,3, 8.27 m1, 8.3 m4 |
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| Height | 10.01"3, 10' 3/8"2, 10' 10"4, 11' 9"1 3.05 m2,3, 3.3 m4, 3.59 m1 |
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| Wing area | 241 ft2 1 , 241.1 ft2 2,3 22.4 m2 1,2,3 |
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| Weight | ||||
| Empty | 3,763 lb4, 3,929 lb1, 3,933 lb2,3 1,707 kg4, 1,782 kg1, 1,784 kg2,3 |
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| Loaded | 5,060 lb1,2,3, 5,070 lb4 2,295 kg1,2,3, 2,300 kg4 |
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| Maximum load | 5,302 lb4 2,405 kg4 |
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| Performance | ||||
| Speed | 261 mph1 420 kph1 |
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| Speed @ 6,560' / 2,000 m |
244 mph4 393 kph4 |
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| Speed @ 13,120' / 4,000 m |
266 mph4 428 kph4 |
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| Speed @ 19,685' / 6,000 m |
274 mph2,3 441 kph2,32 |
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| Cruising speed | 214 mph4 344 kph4 |
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| Climb | 2,400'/minute4, 2,402'/minute1 731 m/minute4, 732 m/minute1 |
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| Climb to 13,120' / 4,000 m |
5.4 minutes4 | |||
| Climb to 19,685' / 6,000 m |
9 minutes2,3 | |||
| Service ceiling | 33,135'2, 33,1363, 33,300'4, 34,450'1 10,100 m2,3, 10, 150 m4, 10,500 m1 |
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| Range | 482 miles1, 485 miles2,3 775 km1, 780 km2,3 |
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| Range with auxiliary fuel | 630 miles4 1,014 km4 |
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| Armament | 2 or 4 12.7 mm MG4 | |||
| Nose | 2: 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT MG1,2,3 2: 12.7 mm MG4 |
2: 12.7 mm MG4 | 2: 12.7 mm MG4 | |
| Under wing (some aircraft) |
2: 12.7 mm MG2,3 | |||
| Wings | 2: 12.7 mm MG4 | |||
| Bombs | 437 lb1, 2: 220 lb2,3 198 kg1, 2: 100 kg2,3 |
2: 220 lb4 2: 100 kg4 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, General Editor Chris Bishop, 1998
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
