Fiat CR. 42

Italian fighter

History
One of the best WWII biplanes, it was developed as a development of the Fiat CR design. 32.
The plane entered service in 1939, was the last biplane in the Regia Areonautica service and was the basic equipment of Italian aviation at the beginning of the war. The construction of the prototype began in early 1938, and on May 23 it has already been flown.
First fights involving CR. 42 took place after June 10, 1941 against France. Equipped with these planes took part: 53 Stormo (150 and 151 Gruppo) and 3 Stormo (18 and 23 Gruppo). At the same time, 13 Gruppo planes began operations in Libya in Africa against British forces.
In 1940, around 50 CR. 42 of the 18 Gruppo took part in the fighting over the English Channel against the British. These fights exposed all the weaknesses of these machines. On October 19, 1940, they were transferred to the Belgian airport in Ursel, and on October 29, they took part in the first action, when 39 CR. 42 escorted BR. 20 over Ramsgate. November 11
1940 40 CR. 42 escorted bombers in the Harwich raid. In this action, British Spitfires and Hurricane fighters shot down 3 Fiats (one of them had to make an emergency landing in England and is now on display in the RAF museum). Latest action of CR. 42 on the English Channel took place on November 29
1941 between Margate and Folkestone. The British then knocked down 2 Fiats. From the beginning of 1941, the planes began returning to Italy.
Fiat CR. 42 was exported to Belgium, Sweden and Hungary. About 150 machines were used by the German Luftwaffe as night fighters.
The model shows the Maresciallo Felice Longhi fighter ace from 1940.

Technical data
Engine: FiatA74R1C38 with 840 HP
Span: 9.70 m
Length: 8.62 m
Bearing area: 22.40 m
Top speed: 430 km / h
Operation range: 7,750 km
Service ceiling: 10,500 m
Armament: 2 x 12.7 mm