Reggiane Re. 2001
| Reggiane Re. 2001 | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Fighter plane |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
July 1940 |
| Commissioning: |
1942 |
| Number of pieces: |
252 |
The Reggiane Re. 2001 Falco II was a single-seat fighter aircraft manufactured by Reggiane in Italy .
history
The predecessor Reggiane Re.2000 had limited success. A more powerful motor should be used for the Re.2001, which was further developed from this machine. The originally planned Daimler-Benz DB 601 Aa was only available to a limited extent; therefore, a license version, the Alfa-Romeo RA1000 RC.41-I Monsone, was used. Only 252 pieces were produced, as this engine was also intended for other types ( Macchi C.202 ).
The machines were initially used by the Regia Aeronautica as escort fighters for bombers, then as fighter-bombers for occasional nuisance attacks on Malta . As an interceptor, it distinguished itself in northern Italy against Allied invasions. The Re. 2001 suffered great losses during the Allied landing in Sicily.
Most of the remaining machines flew as part of the Aeronautica Cobelligerante Italiana on the side of the Allies , partly as dive bombers, then to support Yugoslav partisans. Only a few machines still flew at the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana . After the fighting ended, some specimens remained in service as trainers and weather observers.
In order to avoid the availability problems of the engines, 100 Re.2001 Delta were ordered with an 840 HP Isotta Fraschini Delta RC 16/48 engine. The prototype flew on September 12, 1942, but suffered from many engine problems. Therefore the project was discontinued and the order was canceled. The further development Reggiane Re. 2002 was again equipped with a radial engine.
variants
- Series I: First production series; Hunters and fighter-bombers, first catapult tests
- CB: Modified fighter bomber with max. a 250 kg bomb
- OR Series II: Developed for the Navy; up to 600 kg external loads
- Series III, IV: fighter-bombers
- CN: Night fighter (some with 1 × MG151 / 20 , 2 × 12.7 mm MG), as well as fighter-bombers
- G: Test aircraft based on OR with torpedo
- Delta: Test aircraft with Isotta Fraschini Delta RC 16/48 engine, 840 hp
Military users
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 1 |
| length | 8.63 m |
| span | 11.00 m |
| height | 3.15 m |
| Wing area | 20.40 m² |
| Empty weight | 2460 kg |
| Max. Takeoff weight | 3240 kg |
| Top speed | 545 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 11,000 m |
| Range | 1100 km |
| Engines | 1 × Alfa-Romeo RA1000 RC.41-I Monsone with 1045 HP take-off power at sea level |
| Armament | 2 × 12.7 mm MG Breda SAFAT above the engine, 2 × 7.7 mm MG Breda SAFAT in the wings and drop armament depending on the variant |
Bibliography
- George Punka: Reggiane Fighters in action (= Aircraft. No. 177). Squadron / Signal Publications, Carrollton TX 2001, ISBN 0-89747-430-9 .
- Aero. Issue 133, 1986, ZDB -ID 1004579-x , p. 3717.
