Reggiane Re.2001

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The Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II was an Italian fighter aircraft, serving in the Regia Aeronautica during World War II.

1 Overview
2 Specifications (Re.2001 Serie III)
3 Variants
4 Operators
5 Sources
6 Related content

[edit] Overview

The Reggiane Re.2001 was first conceived through the Reggiane Re.2000 Falco I before it, but the Falco I was rejected by the Regia Aeronautica primarily because of its engine. This was the main problem the Falco II set out to fix, now having a 1,175 hp Alfa Romeo engine rather than a 986 hp Piaggio one. The new Falco II was put on level by most experts with the Macchi MC.202, but the Macchi fighter was still produced on much higher levels. The Re.2001 was then delayed from use in the air force because the Regia Aeronautica insisted on the fuel tanks being placed inside the wings of the aircraft. The first order amounted to 300 machines, but it was later cut to 120 due to difficulties in the engine manufacture. The first planes were finally allowed to fight in June 1941.

The 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 planes retained the original armament. 34 CNs were produced of the 50 ordered.

The Re.2001 was primarily used as a night fighter, performing raids into Malta. Later on in the war the plane was also used to defend northern and central Italy. Nine 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.

[edit] Specifications (Re.2001 Serie III)

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 sq. ft)
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) , 1,175 hp (871 kW)

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: 13 m/s (2,591 ft/min)

Armament

Guns: Two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine-guns in upper cowling; Two 7.9 mm Breda-SAFAT machine-guns in wings

[edit] Variants

Re.2001
- Prototype version, 2 built
- Second prototype had three-spar wing, modified canopy, fixed tailwheel

Re.2001 Serie I
- Experimental roles as fighter-bomber, carrier trainer, land-based catapult tests, 100 built

Re.2001 OR Serie II
- Proposed ship-borne fighter version, 50 built
- first addition of wing-mounted machine guns to development, optional cannon

Re.2001 CN Serie III & IV
- Night fighter/fighter-bomber version, 74 built
- Optional bombload of up to 640 kg (1,410 lbs) or additional fuel tank on Serie IV