Italy's Fiat CR.42 fighter, C.R. 42
Nickname: Falco (Falcon)
Photos
Fiat CR.42 fighter:  |
Fiat CR.42 fighter:  |
Fiat CR.42 fighter:  |
Fiat CR.42 fighter:  |
Fiat CR.42 fighter, Notturno:  |
Fiat CR.42 fighter with the Swedish Air Force:  |
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Fiat CR.42 fighter: |
Fiat CR.42 fighter: |
Design
Most major counties were moving towards monoplane fighters, however Celestino Rosatelli of Fiat put forward a design for the CR.42.1,3,4,5 It was based on the CR.32 that was from the early 1930s.2,3
Wing
The wings were rigidly braced and constructed in two sections that were joined as the centerline with support above the fuselage.1 They were manufactured from light allow and steel with a fabric covering.1 Ailerons were only on the top wing.1
Fuselage
The fuselage was made from steel tubing.1,5 From the cockpit forward were metal panels covering the frame.1 The rest of the fuselage was fabric covered.1 The tail wheel was in a faired mount and was not retractable.1
The fuel tank was located in the rear of the fuselage behind a fireproof bulkhead.1
Pilot
The pilot was located in a cockpit that was behind a cutout in the top wing.1
Undercarriage
The landing gear were faired for better aerodynamics.5
Engine
The engine powered a three bladed metal variable pitch propeller.5
The air cooled was chosen as it was less vulnerable to enemy fire.5
Ground Attack
As the C.R. 42 was withdrawn from fighter duties some were modified by the addition of wing supports to allow for the carrying of two 220 lb bombs.5
Prototype
First flown in January 1939 and entered service in November 1939.1
First flew in 1939.3
The CR.42 first flew on May 23, 1938.4,5
After the prototype's test flight Italy ordered 200, Belgium 34, Hungary 50, and Sweden 72.5
Production
- Fiat C.R. 42:
- Total: 1,7812,3,4,5, 1,7841
- Manufacturer: Fiat S.A.5
- Production: 1939 - 19431, February 1939 - June 19435, ? - early 19424
When Italy surrendered there were still 64 CR.42s in service.2
Variants
- Fiat CR.42: Main fighter variant.1
- Fiat CR.42AS (Africa Settentionale): Fighter bomber version.3 Used in North Africa.4
- Fiat CR.42CN: Night figher.4,5 Had searchlights.4,5 Engine exhausts had fireproof bulkheads.5
- Fiat CR.42DB: Prototype with Daimler-Benz DB601 V12 engine (1,010 HP).4 Maximum speed 323 mph / 520 kph.4
- Fiat I.C.R.42: In 1940 one had two floats added.1,4
Usage
Belgium (25 in 1940), Finland, Germany, Hungary (52 in 1939-1940), Italy, and Sweden (72 in 1940-1941) used the CR.42.4
First Unit
The 53rd Gruppo was equipped with the C.R. 42s in May 1939.5
World War II
There were three stormi that were equipped with CR.42s in September 1939.2,3
When Italy entered the war in June 1940 there were 3005 / 330 CR.42s in service with four stormi in the Mediterranean and two squadriglie in Italian East Africa.2,3
Belgium
Over half of the CR.42 that Belgium had were destroyed on the ground by the Luftwaffe.4 However, they did shoot down three German aircraft.5
Battle of Britain
Italy based 50 CR.42s in Belgium for use against England.1,2,3 There were heavy loses.2
Greece
There was one gruppo of three squadriglie that were equipped with CR.42s during the campaign in Greece.2,3
East Africa
51 CR 42s were sent to the 412° and 413° Squadriglie in East Africa.3
Africa
The 5°, 15°, and 50° Stormi Assalti used the CR.42 until November 1942.2
Armistice
There were still 113 C.R. 42s left when the Italians surrendered in September 1943.5 Some of these were converted into trainers and were used into the 1950s.5
Hungary
In 1941 Hungary ordered 68 CR.42s that were used in Yugoslavia.1 They were later used against the Soviet Union.1
Sweden
The Swedish Air Force used the C.R. 42.
Specifications
| Fiat CR.425 Falco1,2,3,4 | Fiat CR.42bis Falco4 | Fiat CR.42ter Falco4 | Fiat CR.42AS Falco4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1,2,3,4,5 | |||
| Crew | 11,2,3,4,5 | |||
| Engine (Type) | Fiat A.74 R1C.38 piston1,2,3 Fiat A.74 RC384,5 |
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| Cylinders | Two row 141, Radial3, Radial 144,5 | |||
| HP | 8401,2,3,4,5 | |||
| Cooling | Air1,5 | |||
| Propeller blades | 34, 3 metal5 | |||
| Dimensions | ||||
| Span | 31' 9 7/8"2, 31' 9.9"3, 31' 10"1,2,5 9.7 m1,2,3,4 |
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| Length | 27' 7/8"2, 27' 1"5, 27' 1.2"3, 27' 2"1, 27' 3"4 8.26 m2,3, 8.27 m1, 8.3 m4 |
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| Height | 10.01"3, 10' 3/8"2, 10' 10"4,5, 11' 9"1 3.05 m2,3, 3.3 m4, 3.59 m1 |
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| Wing area | 241 ft2 1 , 241.1 ft2 2,3 22.4 m2 1,2,3 |
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| Weight | ||||
| Empty | 3,763 lb4, 3,929 lb1, 3,933 lb2,3 1,707 kg4, 1,782 kg1, 1,784 kg2,3 |
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| Loaded | 5,060 lb1,2,3,5, 5,070 lb4 2,295 kg1,2,3, 2,300 kg4 |
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| Maximum load | 5,302 lb4 2,405 kg4 |
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| Performance | ||||
| Speed | 261 mph1 420 kph1 |
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| Speed @ 6,560' / 2,000 m |
244 mph4 393 kph4 |
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| Speed @ 13,120' / 4,000 m |
266 mph4 428 kph4 |
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| Speed @ 19,685' / 6,000 m |
273 mph5, 274 mph2,3 441 kph2,32 |
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| Cruising speed | 214 mph4 344 kph4 |
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| Climb | 2,400'/minute4, 2,402'/minute1 731 m/minute4, 732 m/minute1 |
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| Climb to 13,120' / 4,000 m |
5.4 minutes4 | |||
| Climb to 19,685' / 6,000 m |
9 minutes2,3 | |||
| Service ceiling | 33,135'2, 33,1363, 33,300'4, 34,450'1,5 10,100 m2,3, 10, 150 m4, 10,500 m1 |
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| Range | 482 miles1, 485 miles2,3 775 km1, 780 km2,3 |
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| Range with auxiliary fuel | 490 miles5, 630 miles4 1,014 km4 |
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| Armament | 2 or 4 12.7 mm MG4 | |||
| Nose | 2: 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT MG1,2,3 2: 12.7 mm MG4 2: 12.7 mm Safat MG5 |
2: 12.7 mm MG4 | 2: 12.7 mm MG4 | |
| Rounds | 400 each5 | |||
| Under wing (some aircraft) |
2: 12.7 mm MG2,3 | |||
| Wings | 2: 12.7 mm MG4 | |||
| Bombs | 437 lb1, 2: 220 lb2,3 198 kg1, 2: 100 kg2,3 |
2: 220 lb4 2: 100 kg4 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, General Editor Chris Bishop, 1998
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
