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{{short description|Italian fighter aircraft}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
|name = CR.1
|name = CR.1
|image =Fiat CR.1.jpg
|image =Fiat CR.1.jpg
|caption =
|caption =
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
|type = Fighter
|type = Fighter
|manufacturer = [[Fiat Aviazione|Fiat]]
|manufacturer = [[Fiat Aviazione|Fiat]]
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|}
|}


The '''Fiat CR.1''' was an [[Italy|Italian]] [[biplane]] [[fighter aircraft]] of the 1920s. Of wood-and-fabric construction, it was designed by Celestino Rosatelli, from whom it gained the 'CR' designation. Its most distinctive feature was that the lower wings were longer than the upper ones.
The '''Fiat CR.1''' was an Italian [[biplane]] [[fighter aircraft]] of the 1920s. Of wood-and-fabric construction, it was designed by Celestino Rosatelli, from whom it gained the 'CR' designation. Its most distinctive feature was that the lower wings were longer than the upper ones.


==Design and development==
==Design and development==
{{More citations needed section|date=January 2021}}
Regia Aeronautica requested two [[prototype]] aircraft from Fiat in the early 1920s. The results were designated MM.1 and MM.2, identical except for the [[rudder]] (one had a rounded, counterbalanced rudder) and engines (they had differing marks of Hispano-Suiza [[piston engine]]s).
Regia Aeronautica requested two [[prototype]] aircraft from Fiat in the early 1920s. The results were designated MM.1 and MM.2, identical except for the [[rudder]] (one had a rounded, counterbalanced rudder) and engines (they had differing marks of Hispano-Suiza [[piston engine]]s).


The airplane was a [[biplane]] of conventional layout, with fixed [[Conventional landing gear|tailskid landing gear]] and an open [[cockpit]], with the pilot's head aligned with the trailing edge of the upper wing. The [[V8 engine]] powered a fixed-pitch two-blade wooden propeller. The landing gear had a fixed axle between the wheels. It carried two synchronized 7.7&nbsp;mm (.303&nbsp;in) [[Vickers machine gun]]s firing through the propeller arc.
The aircraft was a [[biplane]] of conventional layout, with fixed [[Conventional landing gear|tailskid landing gear]] and an open [[cockpit]], with the pilot's head aligned with the trailing edge of the upper wing. The [[V8 engine]] powered a fixed-pitch two-blade wooden propeller. The landing gear had a fixed axle between the wheels. It carried two synchronized 7.7&nbsp;mm (.303&nbsp;in) [[Vickers machine gun]]s firing through the propeller arc.


The two prototypes were evaluated against another biplane fighter, the SIAI S.52, and proved superior in maneuverability and top speed. Accordingly, contracts were issued to three Italian companies for three batches of production aircraft, to be designated '''CR.1''':
The two prototypes were evaluated against another biplane fighter, the SIAI S.52, and proved superior in manoeuvrability and top speed. Accordingly, contracts were issued to three Italian companies for three batches of production aircraft, to be designated '''CR.1''':
*109 units to be built by Fiat;
*109 units to be built by Fiat;
* 40 units to be built by OFM of Napoli;
* 40 units to be built by OFM of Napoli;
Line 37: Line 39:


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2021}}
The ''[[Regia Aeronautica]]'' ordered 240 CR.1s and began equipping its 1st Fighter
The ''[[Regia Aeronautica]]'' ordered 240 CR.1s and began equipping its 1st Fighter
Group in 1924. By 1926, 12 Italian fighter squadrons had been allocated the aircraft. In the same year, Fiat introduced an updated all-metal version, the '''[[Fiat CR.20|CR.20]]'''.
Group in 1924. By 1926, 12 Italian fighter squadrons had been allocated the aircraft. In the same year, Fiat introduced an updated all-metal version, the '''[[Fiat CR.20|CR.20]]'''.
Line 43: Line 46:


In the 1930s, some CR.1s were fitted with Isotta Fraschini Asso Caccia engines of 328&nbsp;kW (440&nbsp;hp), which improved their performance. These units were given to 163 ''Squadriglia'', based at [[Rhodes]] in the [[Aegean Sea]]. Those units were withdrawn from active service in 1937.
In the 1930s, some CR.1s were fitted with Isotta Fraschini Asso Caccia engines of 328&nbsp;kW (440&nbsp;hp), which improved their performance. These units were given to 163 ''Squadriglia'', based at [[Rhodes]] in the [[Aegean Sea]]. Those units were withdrawn from active service in 1937.

==Variants==
;MM.1
:Prototype.
;MM.2
:Prototype.
;CR.1
:Single-seat fighter biplane
;CR.2
:One evaluation model, equipped with an [[Armstrong Siddeley Lynx]] [[radial engine]].
;CR.5
:One evaluation model, equipped with an [[Alfa Romeo Jupiter]] radial engine.
;CR.10
:One evaluation moded, equipped with a {{convert|410|hp|kW|abbr=on|disp=flip}} [[Fiat A.20]] water-cooled V-12 engine with two Lamblin [[radiator]]s.
;CR.10 Idro
:The CR.10 converted to a floatplane.


==Operators==
==Operators==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2021}}
;{{flag|Kingdom of Italy}}
;{{flag|Kingdom of Italy}}
*''[[Regia Aeronautica]]''
*''[[Regia Aeronautica]]''
Line 69: Line 57:
==Specifications (CR.1)==
==Specifications (CR.1)==
{{Aircraft specs
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=The Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft<ref name="Jackson">{{cite book |last1=Jackson |first1=Robert |title=The encyclopedia of military aircraft |date=2002 |publisher=Parragon Pub |isbn=0-7525-8130-9}}</ref>
|ref=The Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft<ref name="Jackson">{{cite book |last1=Jackson |first1=Robert |title=The encyclopedia of military aircraft |date=2002 |publisher=Parragon Pub |isbn=0-7525-8130-9 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofmi0000jack }}</ref>
|prime units?=met
|prime units?=met
<!--
<!--
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-->
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Isotta-Fraschini Asso]]
|eng1 name=[[Isotta Fraschini Asso]]
|eng1 type=V-8 water-cooled piston engine
|eng1 type=V-8 water-cooled piston engine
|eng1 hp=320
|eng1 hp=320
Line 103: Line 91:


|prop blade number=2
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=fixewd-pitch propeller
|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
|prop dia note=
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{{Fiat aircraft}}
{{Fiat aircraft}}
{{Portal bar|Italy|Companies|Aviation}}


⚫
[[Category:Fiat aircraft|CR.01]]
[[Category:Biplanes]]
[[Category:Biplanes]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:1920s Italian fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:1920s Italian fighter aircraft]]
⚫
[[Category:Fiat aircraft|CR.01]]

Latest revision as of 16:34, 10 March 2024

CR.1
Role Fighter
Manufacturer Fiat
Designer Celestino Rosatelli
Introduction 1924
Primary users Regia Aeronautica
Latvian Air Force
Number built 240

The Fiat CR.1 was an Italian biplane fighter aircraft of the 1920s. Of wood-and-fabric construction, it was designed by Celestino Rosatelli, from whom it gained the 'CR' designation. Its most distinctive feature was that the lower wings were longer than the upper ones.

Design and development[edit]

Regia Aeronautica requested two prototype aircraft from Fiat in the early 1920s. The results were designated MM.1 and MM.2, identical except for the rudder (one had a rounded, counterbalanced rudder) and engines (they had differing marks of Hispano-Suiza piston engines).

The aircraft was a biplane of conventional layout, with fixed tailskid landing gear and an open cockpit, with the pilot's head aligned with the trailing edge of the upper wing. The V8 engine powered a fixed-pitch two-blade wooden propeller. The landing gear had a fixed axle between the wheels. It carried two synchronized 7.7 mm (.303 in) Vickers machine guns firing through the propeller arc.

The two prototypes were evaluated against another biplane fighter, the SIAI S.52, and proved superior in manoeuvrability and top speed. Accordingly, contracts were issued to three Italian companies for three batches of production aircraft, to be designated CR.1:

  • 109 units to be built by Fiat;
  • 40 units to be built by OFM of Napoli;
  • 100 units to be built by SIAI.

After two preproduction prototypes were again flight tested, a total of 240 units were placed in Italian military service, beginning in 1925.[1]

Operational history[edit]

The Regia Aeronautica ordered 240 CR.1s and began equipping its 1st Fighter Group in 1924. By 1926, 12 Italian fighter squadrons had been allocated the aircraft. In the same year, Fiat introduced an updated all-metal version, the CR.20.

Though both Belgium and Poland evaluated and rejected the aircraft, an export order was received from Latvia. Their nine CR.1s, fitted with the 224 kW (300 hp) Hispano-Suiza HS8N8 engine, served in Latvian Naval Aviation until 1936.

In the 1930s, some CR.1s were fitted with Isotta Fraschini Asso Caccia engines of 328 kW (440 hp), which improved their performance. These units were given to 163 Squadriglia, based at Rhodes in the Aegean Sea. Those units were withdrawn from active service in 1937.

Operators[edit]

 Kingdom of Italy
 Latvia

Specifications (CR.1)[edit]

Data from The Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 6.24 m (20 ft 6 in)
  • Wingspan: 8.95 m (29 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 23 m2 (250 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 839 kg (1,850 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 1,155 kg (2,546 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Isotta Fraschini Asso V-8 water-cooled piston engine, 240 kW (320 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
  • Range: 650 km (400 mi, 350 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 7,450 m (24,440 ft)
  • Wing loading: 48.43 kg/m2 (9.92 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.2146 kW/kg (0.1305 hp/lb)

Armament

  • Guns: 2 × fixed forward 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns

See also[edit]

Related lists

References[edit]

  1. ^ HTML CR.1 history
  2. ^ Jackson, Robert (2002). The encyclopedia of military aircraft. Parragon Pub. ISBN 0-7525-8130-9.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fiat CR.1.
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