Fiat CR.42 "Falco"

  • Box
  • 73 Squadron, El Adem T3, Libya, August 1940, flown by Italian ace - major Ernesto Botto
  • 92 Squadron, Orfordness, UK, October 1940, flown by sergeant Pietro Salvadori (Battle of Britain)
  • 1 Squadron, Kiruna, Sweden, March 1942
  • Nacht Schlacht Gruppe 9, Luftwaffe, Turin-Aeritalia, Italy, April 1944
Cat. No.:
31-011
Material:
resin
Scale:
1:32
Period:
1938-1948
Marking options:
4
Number of parts:
173 x resin, 38 x pe, 10 x film
Length & wingspan:
257 x 303 (mm)
Additional features:
main elements iron reinforced
Price:

History

Designed as the successor to the Fiat CR.32, the Fiat CR.42 Falco was larger than its predecessor and fitted with a Fiat A-74 radial engine.  The CR.42 made its maiden flight on 23rd May 1938 and at the outbreak of Second World War it equipped seven combat units from Italy to Somaliland. The CR.42 fought in France, the Mediterranean area, Balkans, North and East Africa. It was even dispatched to Belgium to take part in the Battle of Britain. Although it had an open canopy, lacked improved armament and had the limits of its radial air-cooled engine, the fighter was viewed favorably by both pilots and ground crew for its reliability and easy mainteinance. During 1942 it was regulated to second line units after being equipped with underwing bomb rack for ground attack duties and also in night fighter intercept flights with scarce results. Production for Regia Aeronautica ended in 1944. The CR.42 served with many countries, with examples exported to Sweden, Hungary and Belgium.  The Luftwaffe requisitioned less than a hundred CR.42's, using them in night fighters missions. At the end of the war, several were converted into two-seat trainers and remained in service with the new Italian Air Force some more years, until its complete withdrawal. Only two examples survived the war, and they are now preserved in the Swedish Air Force Museum in Linkoping, and the RAF Museum in Hendon. Some years ago, AREA of Venegono (Varese, Northern Italy), put together many original parts coming from Italy and Sweden, to build two new examples. The first is now on display at Vigna di Valle Italian Air Force Museum, resplendent in its wartime 162^ Squadriglia’s colors, while the second example, resides at Duxford (UK) where it will soon make its maiden flight.

Technical data:
Crew: 1
Length: 8,25 m
Wingspan: top wing: 9,7 m
Wingspan: bottom wing: 6,5 m
Height: 3,58 m
Wing area: 22,4 m
Empty weight: 1,78 kg
Loaded weight: 2,29 kg
Powerplant: 1x Fiat A.74 Rc38 14-cylinders radial engine (840 hp)
Maximum speed: 441 km/h
Range: 780 km
Service ceiling: 10,210 m
Armament: 2 x 12,7 mm Breda SAFAT + 200 kg bombs