Developed from Celestino Rosatelli following the specifications of the Royal Italian Air Force, the CR 42 Falco (Hawk) was born thinking that a light and manouverable biplane had more chances to fight and to survive during the fighting. . The CR 42 was derivated from the CR 32 that had success in the Spain War The structure was metallic with long legs of the landing gear with covered tires from an aerodinamical box. The first protype flew in May 23rd 1938 with success, so two hundred examples were ordered like first batch and the first plane reached the Royal Italian Air Force in the February 1939. The total amount of CR 42 builded was of 1781 examples. Belgium was the first country that ordered CR 42 but at the moment of German invasion twenty four examples were in service, all destroyed from the German forces. Hungary ordered sixty eight examples and Sweden too with seventy two examples. J11 was the designation used from Sweden for this plane. With the entry in the WWII, the Royal Italian Air Force had 272 examples ready to fight and the first duty of the third wing was to fight inside the France and to escort the Italian bombers inside the France. After this these plane were employed inside the Belgium in 1940 with the Italian Aerial Corp for the invasion of the Great Britain .Other threats like Greece saw these biplanes and Africa was one of them, but clearly appeared that a big force had to be placed in Africa so fifty one CR 42s were carried from SM 82 cargo planes over 2484 mi ( 4000 km ) of enemy territory. In Africa the CR 42s were employed against British Air Force and later against land targets earning a good reputation of big resistance. In the 1942 new CR 42s were made developing a special version called AS that used the filters to avoid the sands, new pylons under the wings to carry two bombs of 220 lbs ( 100 Kg ). Even if in Italy the CR 42 force was in bad conditions, a number of 150 examples were made for the Germany for the night fighting. After the end of WWII the CR 42s became trainers with the Italian Air Force.

FIAT CR 42 : VARIANTS

CR 42 Caccia Bombardiere (Fighter Bomber): conversion made for carry 440 lbs (220 Kilos) of bombs for attack, it reached Northern Africa on spring 1941; had two pylons under the wings to carry bombs of 110 lbs. (50 Kilos)

CR 42 AS : fighter bomber with a particular kind of carburator used for tropical areas, antisand filter, pylons to carry two bombs till 220 lbs ( 100 kilos ). Several examples built from 1941

CR 42 CN : night fighter equipped with radio and special engine exhaust to avoid flames, little light under the wings

CR 42 DB : only one prototype with one Daimler Benz DB 601 engine of 1137 HP (1160 CV). First flight on March 1941, reached a maximum speed of 320 mph (515 km/h)

ICR 42 : version equipped with two hulls, developed from CMASA, associated Fiat factory specialized on built seaplanes. Tested on 1940 but didn't enter in production

CR 42 LW : version developed for night missions against not official troops. Built from Fiat for Luftwaffe after that Northern Italy factories went under German control. Same bomb loading of CR 42 AS

CR 42 biposto (double seat) : few examples built for Sweden survided after the end of WWII and later modified to carry targets to train pilots. Some Italian examples converted like liaison biseat aircrafts with the adding of a second cockpit behind at the pilot's cockpit

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

FIAT CR 42

Primary Function

:

Fighter, monoseat biplane

Contractor

:

Fiat (Italy)

Power Plant

:

nr. one Fiat A.74 RC 38 engine of 823 HP (840 CV )

Maximum Speed

:

267 mph (430 Km/h) at 13120 ft. (4000 metres)

Ceiling

:

33456 feet (10200 meters)

Range

:

481 mi.(775 km)

Equipped Empty Weight

:

3920 lbs (1782 kilograms)

Maximum Takeoff Weight

:

5049 lb (2295 kilograms)

Wingspan

:

31,82 ft. (9,70 metres)

Lenght

:

27,12 ft (8,27 metres)

Height

:

11,77 ft (3,59 metres)

Wing Area

:

241,09 sq. ft. (22,40 m2)

Armament

:

nr. 2 miniguns Breda Safat of 12,7 mm