Italian Forces

A successfully conversion

An Italian Regia Aeronautica’s Fiat CR.42 fighter bomber version (Fiat CR.42BA, BA for “Bombe Alari” or wing-bombs) on a Libyan airstrip. Note the Salvator parachute leaned over the wing struts. The CR.42BA was as second best to carry on the employment of Fiat fighter biplane, by this time outclassed by enemies fighters and too slow to intercept the modern Allied bombers, and mainly to overcompensate the attrition or the unlucky outcome of airplanes specifically designed for attack (like Breda 65 or Breda 88). The CR.42’s conversion on fighter bomber, after the successfully test of two planes on Guidonia’s Flight Center with bombs from 50 to 250 kg under the wings, concerned about 300 CR.42s. The CR.42BA – a similar conversion was adopted also for the Macchi MC.200 – was a successfully solution and the aircraft in this configuration was employed, armed with 50 and 100 kg bombs and bomb-launcher Angeloni type in most of battles on Libya, Tobruk included, until the Axis retreat when the last survivors were transferred in Italy. On Summer 1943 some CR.42BAs was employed in last, desperate battle for Sicily’s defence against the landing Allied forces. On 1942 the CR.42BA was tested also for dive bombing against ship with 100 kg bombs. The first mission date to 14 June 1942 when eight planes of 24th Gruppo struck the aircraft carrier “Eagle” without success with the loss of two planes downed by AA fire. In the afternoon of same day the cruiser “Liverpool” was damaged and a CR.42 was shut down. On 1944 also the German Luftwaffe employed some CR.42 in version fighter bomber for night harassment and anti-partisan missions. Victor Sierra