Losses were so high the Fiat CR.42 Falco was quickly transferred to the Mediterranean theatre as a light ground attack aircraft, although by the end of WWII a total in excess of 1,800 Fiat CR.42 Falco fighters had been produced. It is interesting to note that the Fiat CR.42 Falco initially fought alongside Luftwaffe aircraft, then within the Luftwaffe with approximately 100 aircraft taken into Luftwaffe service, and finally following Italy's "change of sides" eventually the Fiat CR.42 Falco fought against the Luftwaffe. Fiat CR.42 Falco Specifications: Crew: Pilot onlyLength: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)Wingspan: 9.70 m (31 ft 10 in)Height: 3.06 m (10 ft)Maximum Weight: 2,295 kg (5,060 lb)Engine: Single 840 hp (627 kW) Fiat A.74 RIC38 radial engineMaximum speed: 274 mph (441 km/h )Range: 780 km (420 nm, 485 mi)Service Ceiling: 10,210 m (33,500 ft) Fiat CR.42 Falco Armament: - Guns: Twin 12.7 mm (0.500 in) machine guns
- Bombs: 200 kg (440 lb) of under-wing bombs
|