Reggiane 2000 Falco
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Model: Reggiane 2000 "Falco" Power Plant: 1-1000hp Piaggio P XI Dimensions: Wing Span: 34.8'; Length: 29' Maximum Speed: 530 km/h at 5000 m Armament: 2x12.7mm-ffMGs Payload: 2x100 kg typical Total Production: 350 all models First flown: May, 24th, 1939 In Service: Regia Aeronautica 1940-1943 |
Italian air force (Regia Aeronautica) fighter of WWII, the Reggiane 2000 was used in small numbers by italian, swedish and hungarian air forces.
The design was probably influenced by that of the Seversky P-35, with some changes and improvements. The engine was also derived from the same plane, being a license-built version of the Pratt & Whitney.
It's amusing to note how these two non-exceptional airplanes, almost identical in most respects, evolved in two completely different ways, both ending up with stunning final versions. In fact the P-35, towards the P-43 Lancer, originated the P-47 Thunderbolt. The Reggiane 2000 Falco, towards the Re 2001/2002, bore to life the Re 2005 Sagittario.
The Re 2000 differed from contemporary italian fighters in having naval capabilities (provison for folding wings, hook, etc...) and nearly doubled range. With good handling characteristics, a top speed of 530 km/h and a certain vulnerability to enemy fire it was a kind of an italian Zero! A few were actually modified for naval roles, serving experimentally as on-board fighters on Regia Marina battleships and cruisers, much in a similar way to the CAM hurricanes. A special version of the Re 2001 was developed to serve on-board "Aquila" carrier, never completed.
An interesting weapon it could carry was the "spezzoniera Nardi", a rack for 44 small (2 kg) bombs that could be dropped in sequence.