View source for Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II

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{{Infobox aircraft
| name                 = Re.2001 ''Falco'' II
| image                = Re2001-5.jpg
| type                 = [[Fighter-bomber]], [[night fighter]]
| national_origin      = Italy
| manufacturer         = [[Reggiane]]
| designer             = Roberto Longhi & Antonio Alessi <ref name= "Angelucci and Matricardi p. 58.">{{harvnb|Angelucci|Matricardi|1988|p=58}}</ref>
| first_flight         = June 1940
| introduction           = 1941
| retired              = 1945
| primary_user         = ''[[Regia Aeronautica]]''
| more_users           = ''[[Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana]]''
| number_built         = 237<ref>{{cite book|last=Angelucci|first=Enzo|title=Combat aircraft of World War II|year=1988|page=58|isbn=0-517-64179-8}}</ref>
| developed_from       = [[Reggiane Re.2000]]
| variants = {{plainlist|
* [[Reggiane Re.2002]]
* [[Reggiane Re.2005]]
* [[Reggiane Re.2006]]
}}
| developed_into       =
}}

The '''Reggiane Re.2001 ''Falco'' II''' was an Italian [[fighter aircraft]], serving in the ''[[Regia Aeronautica]]'' (Italian Air Force) during [[World War II]]. A contemporary of the renowned [[Macchi C.202]], the production of this type was to be limited to only 252, but it was a flexible design that proved to be able to undertake a number of roles. Thanks to its maneuverability it could dogfight with more powerful opponents like the [[Supermarine Spitfire]]. The Re.2001 became the basis of a later, more formidable fighter, the [[Reggiane Re.2005|Re.2005]].

==Design and development==
The [[Reggiane]] Re.2001 was a development of the [[Reggiane Re.2000|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.<ref name= "Angelucci and Matricardi p. 58."/> This was the main problem the ''Falco'' II set out to fix, now having a {{cvt|1,175|hp}} [[Alfa Romeo]] [[Inline engine (aviation)|inline]] engine (a more powerful and reliable license-built German [[Daimler-Benz DB 601|DB 601]]) rather than a {{cvt|986|hp}} [[Piaggio P.XI]] [[radial engine]].<ref name= "Sgarlato">{{harvnb|Sgarlato|2005}}</ref>

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 {{cvt|544|L}} total capacity (five tanks, one in the fuselage and the others in the wings). The armament consisted of [[Breda-SAFAT machine gun]]s, with two nose-mounted {{cvt|12.7|mm|2}} (up to 800 rounds) and two {{cvt|7.7|mm|3}} guns in the wings, (1200 rounds total).<ref name= "Sgarlato"/>

The new ''Falco'' II was equal to the [[Macchi MC.202]], but the [[Aermacchi|Macchi]] fighter, having first call on production for the Alfa Romeo R.A.1000RC.41-1a (the license built DB 601) was still produced in greater numbers. The Re.2001 was then delayed because the Regia Aeronautica insisted on the fuel tanks being placed inside the wings, which required a substantial redesign of the wing structure. The first order, amounting to 300 machines, was cut back with only 252 produced. This number included 100 Re.2001 ''Serie I'', ''Serie II'' and ''Serie III'' with armament variations, the Reggiane ''Serie IV'' fighter-bomber  and 150 Re.2001 CN ''Caccia Notturna'', night fighter.<ref name= "Mondey p. 234">{{harvnb|Mondey|1996|p=234}}</ref>

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.<ref name= "Angelucci and Matricardi p. 58."/>

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 {{cvt|100|or|250|kg}} 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 {{cvt|20|mm}} Mauser [[MG 151/20]] cannon in two [[Gondola|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==
[[File:Reggiane2001 San Diego Air Space Museum 3 ICAF.jpg|thumb|Reggiane Re.2001]]
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.<ref name= "Caruana p. 183">{{harvnb|Caruana|1999|p=183}}</ref><ref name="Brindley p, 224"/> In May 1942, Re.2001s began to fly escort missions over [[Malta]], encountering British [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire Mk Vs]]. On 12 May, 15 Reggiane 2001s of 2° ''Gruppo'', while escorting (with Macchi MC.200s) three [[Savoia-Marchetti SM.84]] of 4° ''Gruppo'', were attacked by nine Spitfires. The Spitfires shot down a bomber and badly damaged the other but the Reggiane pilots quickly reacted and shot down the two Spitfires, one by ''Sergente'' Paolo Morcino, that had to make a crash-landing (just like his commander) close to [[Ispica]], as his undercarriage had been damaged by a 20&nbsp;mm cannon shell.<ref name= "Caruana p. 183"/>

That day the RAF lost three Spitfires, one pilot, Sergeant Charles Graysmark of [[No. 601 Squadron RAF|601 Squadron]] was killed and another, Sergeant Cyril 'Joe' Bush of ([[No. 126 Squadron RAF|126 Squadron]]), wounded. Pilot Officer Michael Graves, [[No. 126 Squadron RAF|126 Squadron]], was also shot down but bailed out uninjured.<ref name= "Rogers p. 156">{{harvnb|Rogers|2000|p=156}}</ref> 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.<ref name= "Caruana p. 183"/> On 18 May, eight Re.2001s led by ''Tenente'' Remo Cazzolli of 152ª ''Squadriglia'' flew to Malta in support of a maritime/land reconnaissance of the island. The Re.2001s were attacked by four Spitfires of [[No. 249 Squadron RAF|249 Squadron]], three pilots each claiming a Reggiane. Later records show that Cazzolli, a Spanish Civil War veteran, was the lone victim, crashing north of Fort San Leonardo, near [[Marsaskala]], and was captured.<ref>{{harvnb|Rogers|2000|pp=168–171}}</ref>

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.<ref name= "Brindley p, 226">{{harvnb|Brindley|1973|p=226}}</ref>
On 12 July, over Malta, Canadian ace [[George Beurling|"Buzz" Beurling]] from [[No. 249 Squadron RAF|249 Sqn]] shot down the Reggiane Re.2001s of ''[[Lieutenant-Colonel|Tenente Colonnello]]'' Aldo Quarantotti and ''[[Lieutenant|Tenente]]'' Carlo Seganti, of 150ª ''Squadriglia Caccia'', mistaking them for Macchi C.202s.<ref>{{harvnb|Shores|Cull|Malizia|1991|pp=405–409}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Beurling|Roberts|2002|pp=156–157}}</ref> 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.{{sfn|Cull|Galea|2005|p=211}} 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.<ref name= "Sgarlato"/> <!---Note: The claims of 11 Hurricane victories against the loss of one Re.2001 and the damaging of another in a single engagement was revealed to be inaccurate. The truth was much different: 15 Italian fighters clashed with 12 Hurricanes. Only one Hurricane was downed (that just before it had shot down the single Re.2001 lost), while two others were damaged, and one of these crashed on landing.--not relevant-->
The Spitfire V had an even greater speed advantage. especially above {{cvt|7000|m}}.

At lower and medium altitudes, the Re.2001 was able to hold its own<ref name= "Brindley p, 224"/> and, in the hands of an expert pilot, as ace [[Laddie Lucas]] recalled in his ''Malta: The Thorn in Rommel's side'', the Reggiane could be a difficult and dangerous opponent for the Spitfire V.

<blockquote> On 13 July 1942, 249 Squadron was engaged high above [[Malta]] with a mixed force of German and Italian fighters. Jack Rae, then fast developing into one of New Zealand's outstanding pilots and his able No. 2, the Australian, Alan Yates, despite being low on ammunition, had finally set upon a lone Re.2001 as it was about to disengage and head for Sicily. What then followed gave Jack such a shock that the incident has stuck starkly in his mind for half a century. "To my amazement the Italian proved to be an extremely competent opponent. I had never before been involved in such a complex sequence of aerobatics as I pursued him. Twice I nearly 'spun off' as I stayed with him; I found it difficult to get any sort of worthwhile deflection shot at his aircraft. At times he got dangerously close to getting a bead on me. Eventually he started to smoke and we hit his tail, but we were halfway across the [[Strait of Sicily]] and our position was getting dangerous as we were now low in fuel and would be in real difficulty if we were attacked. But, as we turned back to base, the Italian, to my amazement, turned with us and made one final and defiant attack upon our section - as if to show what he thought of a pair of Spitfires!"<ref>{{harvnb|Lucas|1993|pp=251–252}}</ref> </blockquote>

On 12 August 1942, two Re.2001G/Vs, each modified to carry a {{cvt|640|kg}} fragmentation bomb and accompanied by a fighter escort of Re.2001s, carried out an attack on {{HMS|Victorious|R38|6}} during [[Operation Pedestal]]. Reportedly, the Re.2001s were not challenged because of their similarity in appearance to Sea Hurricanes.<ref name= "Sgarlato"/> During the attack, a direct hit was scored on the aircraft carrier's [[flight deck]] but the bomb failed to explode and fell harmlessly into the sea.<ref name= "Brindley p, 224">{{harvnb|Brindley|1973|p=224}}</ref> Beginning in spring 1942, Reggiane Re.2001 CN [[night fighter]]s were issued to 59° Gruppo, and primarily used in the defence of Italian cities.<ref name= "Brindley p, 226"/> As the tide of war shifted, the Re.2001 units were constantly moved from base to base, and finally by 10 July 1943, when the invasion of [[Sicily]] began, all available Re.2001 fighters were diverted to defend Italy and nearby Mediterranean islands held by Italian forces.<ref name= "Brindley p, 226"/>

Later in 1943, the fighter in all of its variants was used to defend northern and central Italy. Fighter pilots praised the Re.2001's handling qualities (some considered it more maneuverable than the Macchi C.202); however, like many Italian combat aircraft, the type experienced poor serviceability and many of the units using the Re.2001 were not fully equipped.<ref name= "Brindley p, 230">{{harvnb|Brindley|1973|p=230}}</ref> 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)<ref name= "Sgarlato"/> 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.<ref name= "Brindley p, 226"/> 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 of World War II|Allies]], and one to the [[Italian Social Republic]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}}

==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 {{cvt|100|or|160|kg}} bombs under the wings as well as bombs up to {{cvt|250|kg}} under the fuselage for the attack role.
;Re.2001 OR Serie II
:Proposed ship-borne fighter version for the carrier [[Italian aircraft carrier Aquila|''Aquila'']], 50 built. First addition of wing-mounted machine guns to development and optional cannon, able to carry a {{cvt|600|kg}} torpedo or bomb as standard.
;Re.2001 CN Serie III & IV
:[[Night fighter]] and fighter-bomber version, 74 built. Optional bombload of up to {{cvt|640|kg}} or additional fuel tank on Serie IV. Two {{cvt|20|mm}} 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 {{cvt|600|kg}} torpedo) or anti-tank version with lengthened tailwheel and two {{cvt|20|mm}} cannons, two built.
;Re.2001 G/V
:Modified fighter-bomber, with reinforced fuselage structure to carry a single {{cvt|640|kg}} bomb with {{cvt|120|kg}} HE, derived from a {{cvt|381|mm}} shell (made for the [[Littorio-class battleship|''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.<ref name= "Angelucci and Matricardi p. 58."/>
[[File:Reggiane Re.2001 Delta.JPG|thumb|Model of the Re.2001 Delta]]
;Re.2001 Delta
:Prototype version powered by {{cvt|840|hp}} [[Isotta Fraschini]] Delta RC 16/48 engine, one built- first flight: 12 September 1942. After tests when a top speed of only {{cvt|478|km/h}} at {{cvt|5760|m}} 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 {{cvt|20|mm}} 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.<ref name= "Sgarlato"/>

==Operators==
;{{flag|Kingdom of Italy}}
* ''[[Regia Aeronautica]]''
* [[Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force]] operated eight aircraft.
;{{flag|Italian Social Republic}}
* ''[[Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana]]'' operated one aircraft.

==Specifications (Re.2001 Serie III)==
[[File:Reggiane Re.2001 3-view.svg|thumb|Reggiane Re.2001 3-view drawing]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref={{citation needed|date=November 2019}}
|prime units?=met
<!--General characteristics-->
|crew=1
|length m=8.36
|span m=11
|height m=3.15
|wing area sqm=20.4
|airfoil=N-38<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |accessdate=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight kg=2495
|gross weight kg=3280
<!--Powerplant-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Alfa Romeo R.A.1000 R.C.41-I Monsone]]
|eng1 type=V-12 inverted liquid-cooledpiston engine
|eng1 kw=864
|eng1 note=(license-built Daimler-Benz DB 601Aa)
|prop blade number=3
|prop name=constant-speed propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
<!--Performance-->
|max speed kmh=542
|range km=1100
|ceiling m=11000
|climb rate ms=13
|wing loading kg/m2=160.78
|more performance=<!--
* '''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||m|0}}
* '''Take-off run to {{cvt|15|m|0}}:''' {{cvt||m|0}}
* '''Landing run:''' {{cvt||m|0}}
* '''Landing run from {{cvt|15|m|0}}:''' {{cvt||m|0}}-->
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns=<br>
:*2 × {{cvt|12.7|mm|2}} [[Breda-SAFAT machine gun]]s in upper cowling
:*2 × {{cvt|7.7|mm|3}} Breda-SAFAT machine guns in wings

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent|
|related=
* [[Reggiane Re.2000]]
* [[Reggiane Re.2002]]
* [[Reggiane Re.2003]]
* [[Reggiane Re.2004]]
* [[Reggiane Re.2005]]
* [[Reggiane Re.2006]]
* [[Reggiane Re.2007]]
|similar aircraft=
|sequence=
|see also=
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
* [[Regia Aeronautica#Aircraft|List of aircraft of Italy in World War II]]
}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last1=Angelucci |first1=Enzo |first2=Paolo |last2=Matricardi |title=Combat Aircraft of World War II: 1940–1941 |location= New York |publisher= Military Press |year=1988 |isbn=0-517-64179-8}}
* {{cite book |last1=Beurling |first1=George F. |first2= Leslie |last2=Roberts |title=Malta Spitfire: The Story of a Fighter Pilot |location= New York/Toronto |publisher= Farrar & Rinehart, Inc. |year=1943 |oclc=1724811}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Beurling |first1=George |last2=Roberts |first2=Leslie |year=2002 |title=Malta Spitfire: The Buzz Beurling Story |location=London |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-14-301237-5 }}
* {{cite book |last=Brindley |first= John F. |chapter=Caproni Reggiane Re 2001 Falco II, Re 2002 Ariete & Re 2005 Sagittario |title=Aircraft in Profile |volume=13 |location= Windsor, Berkshire, UK |publisher=Profile Publications Ltd. |year= 1973 |pages=217–241 |isbn=0-85383-022-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Caruana |first= Richard J. |title=Victory in the Air |location= Malta |publisher= Modelaid International Publications |year= 1999 |isbn=1-871767-12-1}}
* {{cite book |last1=Cull |first1=Brian |first2=Frederick |last2=Galea |title=Spitfires over Malta |location=London |publisher=Grub Street |year= 2005 |isbn=1-904943-30-6}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Garello|first1=Giancarlo|title=La chasse de nuit italienne (1ère partie: les débuts) |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=June 2001 |issue=99 |pages=19–24|trans-title=Italian Night Fighters: The Beginning|language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* {{cite journal|title=Reggiane and I... a Fighter Designer Recalls|last1=Longhi|first1=Roberto |journal=Air Enthusiast Quarterly |date=n.d. |issue=2 |pages=214–224 |issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite book |last=Lucas |first=Laddie |title=Malta The Thorn in Rommel's Side |location= London |publisher= Penguin Books |year= 1993 |isbn=978-0-14-017808-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Mondey |first=David |title=The Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II |location=New York |publisher= Bounty Books |year=1996 |isbn=1-85152-966-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Punka |first=George |title=Reggiane Fighters in action |location= Carrollton, Texas |publisher= Squadron/Signal Publications| year= 2001 |isbn=0-89747-430-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Rogers |first=Anthony |title=Battle over Malta: Aircraft Losses & Crash sites 1940–42 |location= London |publisher= Sutton Publishing |year= 2000 |isbn=0-7509-2392-X}}
* {{cite journal |last=Sgarlato |first=Nico |title=Reggiane: i Caccia Italiani più Belli |language=it |journal=I Grandi Aerei Storici |volume=17 |date= July 2005}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Sglarlato|first1=Nico|last2=Govi|first2=Sergio|name-list-style=amp|title=Un faucon de guerre italien (1): Reggiane Re.2001 "Falco"|journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |date=June 1976 |issue=79 |pages=6–9 |issn=0757-4169|language=fr|trans-title=An Italian War Falcon: The Reggiane Re.2001 Falco, Part 1}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Sglarlato|first1=Nico|last2=Govi|first2=Sergio|name-list-style=amp|title=Un faucon de guerre italien (2): Reggiane Re.2001 "Falco"|journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |date=July 1976 |issue=80 |pages=10–13 |issn=0757-4169|language=fr|trans-title=An Italian War Falcon: The Reggiane Re.2001 Falco, Part 2}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Sglarlato|first1=Nico|last2=Govi|first2=Sergio|name-list-style=amp|title=Un faucon de guerre italien (3): Reggiane Re.2001 "Falco"|journal=Le Fana de l'Aviation |date=August 1976 |issue=81 |pages=8–11 |issn=0757-4169|language=fr|trans-title=An Italian War Falcon: The Reggiane Re.2001 Falco, Part 3}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Shores |first1=Christopher F. |last2=Cull |first2=Brian |last3=Malizia |first3=Nicola |year=1991 |title=Malta: The Spitfire Year |location=London, UK |publisher=Grub Street |isbn=978-0-948817-16-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Taylor |first=John W. R. |chapter=Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II (Falcon) |title= Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the Present |location= New York |publisher=G.P. Putnam's Sons |year=1969 |isbn=0-425-03633-2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{YouTube|id=cN2nsG_BzzA|title=Reggiane RE 2001 Costruzione e Primo Volo}}

{{Reggiane aircraft}}
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