Reggiane Re.2001

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Re.2001 Falco II

wartime photograph of a Re.2001 in flight c. 1943
Type Fighter
Manufacturer Reggiane
Designed by Roberto Longhi and Antonio Alessi [1]
Maiden flight July 1940
Retired 1945
Primary users Regia Aeronautica
Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana
Number built 252 [2]
Developed from Reggiane Re.2000
Variants Reggiane Re.2005

The Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II was an Italian fighter aircraft, serving in the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force) during World War II. A contemporary of the Macchi C.202, the type was not produced in large numbers but was a flexible design that proved to be able to undertake a number of roles. The Re.2001 became the basis of a later, more formidable fighter, the Re.2005.

Contents

[edit] Design and development

The Reggiane Re.2001 was a development of the Re.2000 Falco I which had been rejected by the Regia Aeronautica primarily because of its engine.[1] This was the main problem the Falco II set out to fix, now having a 1,175 hp Alfa Romeo inline engine (a more powerful and reliable licence-built German DB 601) rather than a 986 hp Piaggio P.IX radial engine.[3]

Incorporating much of the Re.2000's fuselage structure, even retaining the entire tail unit, the Re.2001's wings were of semi-elliptical design with three spars in each wing. The initial design had conventional fuel tanks with 544 l total capacity (five tanks, one in the fuselage and the others in the wings). The armament consisted of Breda-SAFAT machine guns, with two nose-mounted 12.7 mm (up to 800 rounds) and two 7.7 mm guns in the wings, (1200 rounds total).[3]

The new Falco II was considered equal by most experts with the Macchi MC.202, although the Macchi fighter was still produced in greater numbers. The Re.2001 was then delayed because the Regia Aeronautica insisted on the fuel tanks being placed inside the wings, which required a substantial redesign of the wing structure. The first order amounted to 300 machines, but was later cut to 120 due to difficulties in the engine manufacture.

Due to the wing redesign coupled with production delays, the first production aircraft were finally cleared for operational use in June 1941, nearly a year behind schedule.[1]

Along with the fighter variant, two other main variants were developed to suit specialised roles. The Re.2001 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 fighters retained the original armament. A total of 34 CNs were produced of the 50 ordered.

[edit] Operational history

The Re.2001 was to reach operational status late in 1941 with 2° Gruppo (part of 6° Stormo) based at Gorzia. Relocated to Rome-Ciampino in December, the unit was worked up to full standard in preparation for deploying to Sicily, arriving on 4 May 1942.[4] In May 1942, Re.2001s began to fly escort missions over Malta, encountering British Spitfire Mk Vs. Generally slower than contemporary fighters, at lower and medium altitudes the Re.2001 was able to hold its own, but above 7,000 m (23,000 ft), the Spitfire clearly had a speed advantage.[4] Against the Hawker Hurricane, the Re.2001 fared better and could take on this opponent on a more equal basis, although the type was noticeably slower at most altitudes.[5]

By the end of June, 22° Gruppo based at Rome-Ciampino received their first Re.2001 CBs and redeployed to Monserrato, Sardinia, later to be transferred to Sicily to participate in the raids on Malta.[6] Canadian ace "Buzz" Beurling claimed a Re.2001 over Malta.[3]

A notable action took place on 12 August 1942 when two Re.2001G/Vs modified to carry single 640 kg (1,410 lb) fragmentation bombs, accompanied by a fighter escort of Re.2001s, carried out a successful attack on HMS Victorious during Operation Pedestal. Reportedly, the Re.2001s were not challenged because of their similarity in appearance to Sea Hurricanes.[3] During the attack, a direct hit was scored on the aircraft carrier's flight deck but the bomb failed to explode and fell harmlessly into the sea.[4]

Beginning in spring 1942 Reggiane Re.2001 CN night fighters were issued to 59° Gruppo, and primarily used in the defence of Italian cities.[6] As the tide of war shifted, the Re.2001 units were constantly moved from base to base and finally by 10 July 1943 when the invasion of Sicily began, all available Re.2001 fighters were diverted to defend Italy and nearby Mediterranean islands held by Italian forces.[6]

Later in 1943, the fighter in all of its variants was used to defend northern and central Italy. Fighter pilots praised the Re.2001's handling qualities (some considered it more manoeuverable than the Macchi C.202) but like many Italian combat aircraft, the type experienced poor serviceability and many of the units using the Re.2001 were not fully equipped.[7]

The complexity of the Re.2001 design led to higher costs (in 1942, the production cost of the Re.2001 was 600,000 lire versus 520,000 lire of the Macchi C.202)[3] and slowed production rates which also limited its effectiveness as a fighter. Due to attrition, only 33 Re.2001s were available at the Armistice.[6] Furthermore, poor serviceability meant that only nine Re.2001s 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.[citation needed]

[edit] Variants

Re.2001
Prototypes, two built. Second prototype had three-spar wing, modified canopy and fixed tailwheel. First flight on may 1940
Re.2001 Serie I
First production series operated as fighter-bomber and carrier trainer; also used for land-based catapult tests, 100 built.
Re.2001 CB
Modified fighter-bomber produced from 1942, to carry 100 or 250 kg bomb under the fuselage for the attack role.
Re.2001 OR Serie II
Proposed ship-borne fighter version for the carrier Aquila, 50 built. First addition of wing-mounted machine guns to development and optional cannon, able to carry a 600 kg torpedo or bomb as standard.
Re.2001 CN Serie III & IV
Night fighter and fighter-bomber version, 74 built. Optional bombload of up to 640 kg (1,410 lbs) or additional fuel tank on Serie IV. Two 20 mm Mauser MG 151/20 cannon (60 rounds each) were fitted in two gondolas, one under each wing.
Re.2001 G/H
Experimental torpedo- (carrying a 600 kg torpedo) fighter or anti-tank version with lengthened tailwheel and two 20 mm cannons, two built.
Re.2001 G/V
Modified fighter-bomber, with reinforced fuselage structure to carry a single 640 kg (1,410 lb) bomb with 120 kg HE, derived from a 381 mm shell (made for the Littorio class battleships). A small number of the variant was built; two G/Vs took part in Operation Pedestal but this was the sole use of the variant.[1]
Re.2001 Delta
Prototype version powered by 840 hp Isotta-Fraschini Delta RC 16/48 engine, one built- first flight 12 September 1942. After tests when a top speed of only 478 km/h at 5,760 m was reached, the Regia Aeronautica cancelled the 100 variants on order.
Re.2001bis
Prototype (MM.438) version with repositioned radiators, one built; although flight trials were successful, proving to be the fastest of the Re.2001 variants, it was converted back to a standard Re.2001.

Other variants were considered including a design for a dedicated anti-tank fighter (armed with 20 mm guns and anti-tank bomblets) and the Re.2001 Fotografico, a photo-reconnaissance version, although some standard Re.2001s were later modified for this role.[3]

[edit] Operators

Flag of Italy Italy
Flag of Italy 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 ft²)
  • 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), 871 kW (1,175 hp)

Performance

Armament

[edit] See also

Related development

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Angelucci and Matricardi 1988, p. 58.
  2. ^ Mondey 2006, P. 234.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Sgarlato 2005
  4. ^ a b c Brindley 1973, p. 224.
  5. ^ Sgarlato 2005. Note: The claims of 11 Hurricane victories against the loss of one Re.2001 and the damaging of another in a single engagement was revealed to be inaccurate. The truth was much different: 15 Italian fighters clashed with 12 Hurricanes. Only one Hurricane was downed (that just before it had shot down the single Re.2001 lost), while two others were damaged, and one of these crashed on landing.
  6. ^ a b c d Brindley 1973, p. 226.
  7. ^ Brindley 1973, p. 230.

[edit] Bibliography

  • Angelucci, Enzo and Matricardi, Paolo. Combat Aircraft of World War II: 1940-1941. New York: Military Press, 1988. ISBN 0-517-64179-8.
  • Brindley, John F. "Caproni Reggiane Re 2001 Falco II, Re 2002 Ariete & Re 2005 Sagittario". Aircraft in Profile, Volume 13. Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1973, p. 217-241. ISBN 0-85383-022-3.
  • Mondey, David. The Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II. New York: Bounty Books, 1996. ISBN 1-85152-966-7.
  • Punka, George. Reggiane Fighters in action. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 2001. ISBN 0-89747-430-9.
  • Sgarlato, Nico. "Reggiane: i Caccia Italiani più Belli. (in Italian)" I Grandi Aerei Storici N.17, July 2005.
  • Taylor, John W. R. "Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II (Falcon)". Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the Present. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969. ISBN 0-425-03633-2.

[edit] External links

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