Italy's Reggiane Re.2001 fighter
Nickname: Falco II

Photos

Reggiane Re.2001 fighter:

Reggiane Re.2001 fighter:

Design

The Reggiane Re.2001 was designed by Roberto Longhi and Antonio Alessio to overcome the weaknesses of the Re.2000.^1,3 The Re.2001 was to be an interceptor but it was to become a fighter-bomber and night fighter.³

The Reggiane Re.2001 was an all wood fighter plane.¹

Adopting the Re.2000

The Re.2001 had its fuselage changed because of the inline engine.³ The wing design was kept.³ The designers wanted to have the fuel tanks in the wings but the military refused.³ It took several months to make a new prototype that had the radiators in the wings.³ This was to become the Re.2001 bis.³

Cockpit

The pilot sat in a cramped cockpit with poor visibility.¹

Engine

The Alfa Romeo RA.1000 RC 41-1a Monsonie⁴ engine was a copy of the Daimler-Benz DB 601 / DB 601 A-1⁴.^1,2

Undercarriage

The tail wheel was fixed.¹

Prototype

The Re.2001 prototype first flew on July 14, 1940.^2,3

The Re.2001 bis was first test flown by Francesco Agello in 1941.³ Francesco had broken many records flying seaplanes.³

The Re.2001 Delta was test flown in 1942 but crashed in January 1943 causing the military to cancel an order for 100 planes.³

Production

Deliveries of the Re.2001 started in 1941³ / mid 1942.^2,3

• Reggiane Re.2001:
  • Production
    • 1941: ~40³
    • 1942: >100³
• Reggiane Re.2001 bis prototype: 1³
• Total: 237³, 252^1,2,4
• Manufacturer: Officine Meccaniche Reggiane S.p.A.³

Variants

There was to be a trainer, tank buster, torpedo, and fighter versions.¹

• Reggiane Re.2001:
• Reggiane Re.2001 CB: Fighter-bomber.³ Rack under the fuselage that could carry a 220 lb, 550 lb, or 1,400 lb bomb.³
• Reggiane Re.2001 bis: Had radiators in wings.³ Flew 40 mph faster.³ Only prototype.³
• Reggiane Re.2001 Delta: Had Isotta-Fraschini Delta, V-12, air cooled engine (840 HP).^1,3 A bad performer.¹
• Reggiane Re.2001CN: Night fighter.^1,3 150 converted.¹ Had two 20 mm cannons under the wings.^1,3
• Reggiane Re.2001??: Had arrester hooks added for carrier deck trials.¹ Only two built.¹
• Reggiane Re.2002 Ariete (Ram): Ground attack.² Could carry 2,800 lb / 1,270 kg of ordnance under the fuselage and wings.² Many were used by the Luftwaffe in France after the Italian Armistice.²

Usage

First Use

Three squadrons first received the Re.2001s in December 1941.³ The first operation was over Malta in 1942.⁴

Night Fighting

Many of the Re.2001s were used as night fighters in central and northern Italy.²

After the Surrender

After Italy surrendered the Co-Belligerent Air Force continued to use the Re.2001.¹

After World War II

Five of the Re.2001s survived World War II and were used for a few years.³

Specifications

	Reggiane Re.20011,2,3
Type	Attack3, Fighter2
Crew	11,2,3
Engine (Type)	Alfa Romeo RA.10001 Alfa Romeo RA.1000 RC 41 (Daimler-Benz 601)2 Daimler Benz DB 601 A-13
Cylinders	In-line 121, Inverted V 122, V 123
Cooling	Liquid3
HP	1,1751,2,3
Propeller blades	32
Dimensions
Span	36' 1"3
Length	27' 5"2,3 8.36 m2
Height	10' 4"3
Wing area
Weight
Empty	5,423 lb2 2,460 kg2
Loaded	6,700 lb3, 7,231 lb2 3,280 kg2
Performance
Speed	336 mph1 542 kph1
Speed @ 17,700'	350 mph3
Speed @ 17,945' / 5,470 m	339 mph2 545 kph2
Climb to 16,405' / 5,000 m	6.3 minutes2
Service ceiling	36,000'3, 36,090'2 11,000 m2
Range	684 miles2,3 1,100 km2
Armament	4: MG3
Nose	2: 12.7 mm MG2
Wings	2: 7.7 mm MG2
OR	2: 20 mm2
Bomb under fuselage	1: 1,410 lb2 1: 640 kg2