Aircrafttotal Encyclopedia


Two CR.42's of 162^a Squadriglia, 161° "Autonomous Terrestrial Fighter Group", Aegean Islands 1940
Role	Fighter
National origin	Italy
Manufacturer	Fiat Aviazione
First flight	23 May 1938
Introduction	1939
Retired	1948 Spanish Air Force
Status	Out of service
Primary users	Regia Aeronautica Swedish Air Force Hungarian Air Force Belgian Air Force
Produced	c. February 1939 – late 1943
Number built	1,817–1,819
Developed from	Fiat CR.32

The CR.42 was an evolution of Fiat’s earlier CR.32 fighter, featuring a more powerful supercharged Fiat A.74R1C.38 air-cooled radial engine and aerodynamic improvements to its relatively clean exterior surfaces. The aircraft proved to be relatively agile in flight, a factor that had been attributed to its very low wing loading and a sometimes decisive tactical advantage. RAF Intelligence praised its exceptional manoeuvrability, further noting that "the plane was immensely strong",though it was technically outclassed by faster, more heavily armed monoplanes. While primarily used as a fighter, various other roles were adopted for some variants of the type, such as the CR.42CN night-fighter model, the CR.42AS ground-attack aircraft, and the CR.42B Biposto twin-seat trainer aircraft.

The Fiat CR.42 Falco (Falcon, plural: Falchi) is a single-seat sesquiplane fighter developed and produced by Italian aircraft manufacturer Fiat Aviazione. It served primarily in the Italian Regia Aeronautica in the 1930s and during the Second World War.

Design

Regia Aeronautica

During May 1939, the Fiat CR.42 entered operational service with the Regia Aeronautica; the 53° Stormo, based at Turin Caselle Airport, was the first unit to be equipped with the type. On 10 June 1940, the date on which Italy entered the Second World War on the side of Germany, roughly 300 aircraft had been delivered. Italy had delayed its entry into the war in order to better prepare itself for combat; through the period commonly known as the Phoney War, the Regia Aeronautica activated many new squadrons and did all that was possible to speed up aircraft deliveries, including of the CR.42. Accordingly, further orders for the type were placed as a part of this expansion effort

Aeromacchi Leonardo

Fiat Aviazione / Aeritalia
Fiat CR.42 Falco Fighter "Falco"

General Info

Crew: 1
Length: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
Upper wingspan: 9.7 m (31 ft 10 in)
Lower wingspan: 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
Height: 3.585 m (11 ft 9 in)

Powerplant

Wing area: 22.4 m² (241 sq ft) Empty weight: 1,782 kg (3,929 lb) Gross weight: 2,295 kg (5,060 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Fiat A.74 R.C.38 14 cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 627 kW (841 hp) at 3,800 m (12,500 ft) and 2,400 rpm

Performance

Maximum speed: 441 km/h at 6,100 m (20,000 ft)
Cruise speed: 399 km/h
Landing speed: 128 km/h
Range: 780 km (480 mi, 420 nmi)
Service ceiling: 10,210 m

Armament

Guns: * 1x Breda SAFAT 7.7 mm (0.303 in) and 1x Breda SAFAT 12.7 mm (0.500 in) machine gun
- Later 2 × 12.7 mm (0.500 in) Breda SAFAT machine guns, 400 rpg (most common).
- plus 2 × 12.7 mm (0.500 in) machine guns in underwing fairing on some.
Bombs: 200 kg (440 lb) on 2 × wing hardpoints

Special Links Aeromacchi Leonardo

Links to Youtube & Others

On 13 June 1940, three days after entry of Italy into the war, 23 pilots from 23° Gruppo of 3° Stormo escorted a flight of ten Fiat BR.20 bombers to bomb the French naval base of Toulon.

Fiat CR.42 Falco
Fighter "Falco"

In autumn 1940, Regia Aeronautica sent 18° Gruppo (of 56° Stormo) in Belgium with 83a, 85a and 95a Squadriglia equipped with CR.42s as part of the Corpo Aereo Italiano,

Youtube Link

In autumn 1940, Regia Aeronautica sent 18° Gruppo (of 56° Stormo) in Belgium with 83a, 85a and 95a Squadriglia equipped with CR.42s as part of the Corpo Aereo Italiano,

Fiat Aviazione / Aeritalia
Fiat CR.42 Falco