Reggiane Re.2005

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Reggiane Re.2005

Reggiane Re.2005
Type	Fighter
Manufacturer	Reggiane
Maiden flight	April/May 1942
Status	Retired
Primary users	Italy Germany
Number built	35 - 38

The Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario was an Italian monoplane fighter/fighter-bomber for the Regia Aeronautica during the later parts of World War II. Only thirty-seven were built.

The Reggiane 2005 was the last of the Reggiane aircraft line to be built in World War II. A prototype first flew in late April or early May 1942, and was primarily used to defend the skies around Rome and Naples while in pre-production. 750 examples were ordered by the Regia Aeronautica. Eight were stationed in Sicily to resist the allied invasion there, of which one example was captured by the American USAAF. Approximately thirteen were seized by Germany as Italy fell, and were used in the Luftwaffe to defend Berlin.

The production Fiat R.A. 1050 Tifone engines, licenced produced DB 605 were limited to 2650 rpm instead of the usual 2800 rpm with a corresponding drop in power from 1475 hp to 1350 hp. MM.494 prototype with DB 605 had a recorded speed of 700 km/h when flown fully equipped. In July 1943, Com. de Prato in trials achieved a speed of 980 km/h in a dive with no loss of control due to flutter. The Reggiane had good behaviour in close dogfight and, according to General Minguzzi, who flew both Re 2005 and Spitfire, was even better than the Spit in tight turns and handling.

A prototype of the follow on Re 2006 was completed by September 1943 but not flown. It was to use the DB 603 engine with 1750 hp and had an estimated max speed of 740 km/h.

[edit] Specifications

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 8.73 m (28 ft 7.75 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: 2,600 kg (5,730 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,610 kg (7,960 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Fiat R.A. 1050 RC 58 Tifone , 1,350 hp (1,007 kW)

Performance

Never exceed speed: 1000 km/h (625 mph)
Maximum speed: 678 km/h (421 mph)
Cruise speed: 515 km/h (320 mph)
Stall speed: 136 km/h (85mpth)
Range: 980 km (609 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,500 m (37,730 ft)
Rate of climb: 20 m/s (3937 ft/min sustained to 19,685 ft)
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)
Bombs: Underfuselage hardpoint 1000 kg (2200 lb), 160 kg (350 lb) hardpoints on wings