Italian Forces

Re.2001: an US Intelligence Report

After testing very long and difficult - the prototype flew at Reggio Emilia in July 1940 - the Reggiane Re.2001 "Falco II" entered in operational service only in the month of May 1942 in Sicily, at Caltagirone Airfield, with 2nd Gruppo Caccia (150th, 152nd and 358th Squadriglia) of 6th Stormo Caccia Terrestre, first unit equipped with the new Italian fighter powered by the German engine DB601. The first activity of 2nd Gruppo Caccia with the Re.2001 were escort mission to bomber aircraft over Malta. Like other Italian planes also the Re.2001 is subject on report writted for "Tactical and Technical Trends", an U.S. Intelligence Bulletin, edited by U .S. War Department. This brief report was published on No. 22, April 8, 1943 of "Tactical and Technical Trends". In the following lines the text, integral, of report: "The Reggiane-2001 is another Italian fighter used for ground attack. It is a single-seat, low-wing, cantilever monoplane with a comparatively short, tapered fuselage. The elliptical wings have more curvature on the trailing edges than the leading edges, and rounded tips. The single fin and rudder have a very deep chord and are approximately triangular in shape. The leading edge of the fin is straight, and the trailing edge of the rudder is slightly curved. Split flaps are fitted and are continuous under the fuselage. The main wheels of the landing gear turn through 90 degrees during retraction and appear as slight bulges beneath the wing. The tail wheel is non-retractable. The cockpit is inclosed and is over the wing. The airplane is powered with a Daimler-Benz 601 A/1 engine, as used in the Macchi-202, which develops 1,150 hp at 16,000 feet. This is believed to give a sea-level speed of 290 mph, a cruising speed of 300 mph at 18,000 feet, and a maximum speed of 350 mph at 20,000 feet. The airplane can climb to 18,000 feet in slightly over 8 minutes. Service ceiling with normal load is 34,000 feet, and the range is 730 miles at normal cruising speed. There is a coolant radiator with controllable flaps under each wing and an oil cooler mounted beneath the engine. A standard type of air cleaner is incorporated forward of the long intake to the supercharger. The three-bladed propeller is reported to be made of solid duralumin. It is believed that the aircraft was originally designed to carry one fuel tank in the center section with a capacity of 172 U.S. gallons. However, at least one is reported to have three tanks, one behind the pilot's seat of 22 U.S. gallons capacity. The other two tanks are at right angles to the fuselage, extending 2 1/2 feet into each wing; the forward one holds 82 U.S. gallons, and the other 54 U.S. gallons. A flat pane of splinter-proof glass forms the windshield of the cockpit. Behind the pane is a sliding canopy of plexiglass which can be slid to the rear, permitting exit by parachute, or can be fixed in intermediate positions. The basic armament of the Reggiane-2001 consists of two 12.7-mm synchronized Breda machine guns, fitted beneath the top cowling with the breeches accessible to the pilot and firing through blast channels; also, two 7.7 guns, one in each wing. The original design is believed to permit the installation of a carrier for light bombs or a container for antipersonnel bombs. Another report suggests a version of this airplane (Re-2005) fitted for carrying one or two small torpedoes and equipped with the 1,500 hp Isotta Fraschini L 180 I.R.C.C. 45 engine, which would give a performance comparable to the Re-2001 fighter. The pilot's bucket seat and his head and shoulders are protected by 7-mm and 9-mm armor plate respectively. This airplane has been reported in action on the Tunisian front". Comment: 1) the report confuse the Re.2001 Delta powered by Isotta-Fraschini Delta RC 16-48 engine (built only a prototype destroyed at January 1943 at Guidonia during a test flight) with the Re.2005, a fighter not a torpedo equipped aircraft. 2) Excepting only one test of attack at ships, however failed, the Re.2001 was employed mainly like fighter (day and night fighter. Only in November 1942 was reported some attacks over targets in Algeria, but with the take off by Sardinia. Photo: a Re.2001 fresh factory under control at Officine Reggiane's site, Reggio Emilia Airport. Near this aircraft is another Re.2001 perhaps a preseries. In background a SM.79 perhaps an aircraft of Reggiane'production. Last: for U.S.Intelligence Bulletin and other on same matter see www.lone sentry.com. Recommended! Victor Sierra