A CR.42CN’s pilot of Italian Regia Aeronatica’s 300th Squadriglia, the unit used as Rome’s night defence from Ciampino Airport on 1942. Clearly visible the port wing spotlight. Victor Sierra

Night fighter’s pilot

Fiat CR.42CNs of Italian Regia Aeronatica’s 300th Squadriglia at Ciampino Airport, Rome, 1942. The CN (Night Fighter) was the CR.42’s night fighter version with spotlights pods under the wings (clearly visible under the port wing of the plane in foreground) and prolonged engine exhausts plus radio and artificial horizon. Between 1942 and 1943 Fiat produced circa 250-300 CR.42CNs however little useful against the night raids of RAF Bomber Command. Victor Sierra

Night fighter biplane

The CR.42’s final assembly line on the Fiat Aeritalia’s factory, Turin. Paradoxically, despite its obsolescent formula (biplane, fixed landing gear, open cockpit, radial engine low power), the CR.42 was the Italian aircraft produced on the greatest number during WW2: over 1800 aircraft plus 140 for export (Belgium. Sweden, Hungary) and other 51 (or 63) for the Luftwaffe from 1939 until 1944, 40/50 units monthly, one every five aircrafts was a CR.42 when already the other air forces had well-different machines! Power of Fiat? (according the malicious). Victor Sierra