Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II

The Reggiane Re.2001 was a development of the Re.2000 Falco I which had been rejected by the Regia Aeronautica primarily because of its unprotected fuel tanks in the wing, which were merely sealed voids between the spars, and secondly its engine. Incorporating much of the Re.2000's fuselage structure, even retaining the entire tail unit, the Re.2001's wings were of semi-elliptical design with three spars in each wing. The initial design had conventional fuel tanks with total capacity (five tanks, one in the fuselage and the others in the wings). The armament consisted of Breda-SAFAT machine guns, with two nose-mounted (up to 800 rounds) and two guns in the wings, (1200 rounds total). Due to the wing redesign coupled with production delays, the first production aircraft were finally cleared for operational use in June 1941, nearly a year behind schedule. Along with the fighter variant, two other main variants were developed to suit specialized roles. The Re.2001 CB (Cacciabombardiere, Fighter-bomber) version produced from 1942 could carry a bomb under the fuselage for the attack role. The CN (Caccia notturno, Night fighter) version was adapted with the introduction of engine exhaust-flame dampers and a Mauser MG 151/20 cannon in two gondolas, one under each wing, although many fighters retained the original armament. A total of 34 CNs were produced of the 50 ordered. ==Operational history==

The Re.2001 reached operational status late in 1941 with 2° Gruppo (part of 6° Stormo) that had returned from North Africa without aircraft in September 1941. Its three Squadriglie, 150ª, 152ª and 358ª, were based at Gorizia and then moved to Rome-Ciampino in December. For technical reasons the unit was not fully equipped and trained until February 1942. On 4 May 1942, it moved to Caltagirone, in Sicily, with 18 Reggianes, under the command of Colonnello Bajlon. In the afternoon of 15 May 1942, 19 Re.2001s flew to the airfields at Malta on a hunting spree. Dogfights took place over the southern part of the island and according to the Italians, the Allies lost four aircraft, three falling into the sea east of Valletta and the fourth, south of Kalafrana. Re.2001 MM.7210, hit during the dogfight, made an emergency landing at Comiso, in Sicily. By the end of June, 22° Gruppo based at Rome-Ciampino received their first Re.2001 CBs and redeployed to Monserrato, Sardinia. They were later transferred to Sicily to participate in the raids on Malta. On 12 July, over Malta, Canadian ace "Buzz" Beurling from 249 Sqn shot down the Reggiane Re.2001s of Tenente Colonnello Aldo Quarantotti and Tenente Carlo Seganti, of 150ª Squadriglia Caccia, mistaking them for Macchi C.202s. But two days later, he was in turn badly shot up by Reggianes. Beurling's aircraft was "riddled by better than 20 bullets through the fuselage and wings". "An explosive bullet nicked my right heel", he recalled. Generally slower than contemporary fighters, still the Reggiane against the Hawker Hurricane fared better and could take on this opponent on a more equal basis, although the Hawker was noticeably faster at most altitudes. On 12 August 1942, two Re.2001G/Vs, each modified to carry a fragmentation bomb and accompanied by a fighter escort of Re.2001s, carried out an attack on during Operation Pedestal. Reportedly, the Re.2001s were not challenged because of their similarity in appearance to Sea Hurricanes. Beginning in spring 1942, Reggiane Re.2001 CN night fighters were issued to 59° Gruppo, and primarily used in the defence of Italian cities. The complexity of the Re.2001 design led to higher costs (in 1942, the production cost of the Re.2001 was 600,000 lire versus 520,000 lire of the Macchi C.202) and slowed production rates which also limited its effectiveness as a fighter. Due to attrition, only 33 Re.2001s were available at the Armistice of 9 September 1943. Furthermore, poor serviceability meant that only nine Re.2001s survived the division of Italy, eight going to the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force with the Allies, and one to the Italian Social Republic. ==Variants==

;Re.2001 :Prototypes, two built. Second prototype had three-spar wing, modified canopy and fixed tailwheel. First flight in June 1940 ;Re.2001 Serie I :First production series operated as fighter-bomber and carrier trainer; also used for land-based catapult tests, 100 built. ;Re.2001 CB :Modified fighter-bomber produced from 1942, to carry two bombs under the wings as well as bombs up to under the fuselage for the attack role. ;Re.2001 OR Serie II :Proposed ship-borne fighter version for the carrier Aquila, 50 built. First addition of wing-mounted machine guns to development and optional cannon, able to carry a torpedo or bomb as standard. ;Re.2001 CN Serie III & IV :Night fighter and fighter-bomber version, 74 built. Optional bombload of up to or additional fuel tank on Serie IV. Two Mauser MG 151/20 cannon (60 rounds each) were fitted in two gondolas, one under each wing. ;Re.2001 G/H :Experimental torpedo fighter (carrying a torpedo) or anti-tank version with lengthened tailwheel and two cannons, two built. ;Re.2001 G/V :Modified fighter-bomber, with reinforced fuselage structure to carry a single bomb with HE, derived from a shell (made for the Littorio-class battleships). A small number of the variant was built; two G/Vs took part in Operation Pedestal but this was the sole use of the variant. ;Re.2001 Delta :Prototype version powered by Isotta Fraschini Delta RC 16/48 engine, one built- first flight: 12 September 1942. After tests when a top speed of only at was reached, the Regia Aeronautica cancelled the 100 variants on order. ;Re.2001bis :Prototype (MM.438) version with repositioned radiators, one built; although flight trials were successful, proving to be the fastest of the Re.2001 variants, it was converted back to a standard Re.2001. Other variants were considered including a design for a dedicated anti-tank fighter (armed with guns and anti-tank bomblets) and the Re.2001 Fotografico, a photo-reconnaissance version, although some standard Re.2001s were later modified for this role. ==Operators==

; • Regia Aeronautica • Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force operated eight aircraft. ; • Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana operated one aircraft. ==Specifications (Re.2001 Serie III)==