Fiat CR.42 Falco Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Fiat CR.42 Falco.

Fiat CR.42 Falco
Role	Fighter aircraft
National origin	Italy
Manufacturer	Fiat
First flight	1938
Introduction	1939
Status	Out of service
Primary user	Fascist italian Air Force
Number built	1817

The Fiat CR.42 Falco was a special kind of airplane called a biplane. A biplane has two main wings stacked one above the other. This plane was a fighter aircraft, meaning it was built for air battles.

It was used by the Italian air force during World War II. It also saw action earlier in the Spanish Civil War. The plane was made by a company called Fiat. The Falco was used until 1943. Some of these planes were even captured by the British Royal Air Force. The word "Falco" means "falcon" in Italian, which is a fast bird!

What is the Fiat CR.42 Falco?
- When was the Falco first used?
- How many Falco planes were made?
Where did the Falco fly?
- Falco in the Spanish Civil War
- Falco in World War II
  - Why was the Falco special?
Images for kids
See also

What is the Fiat CR.42 Falco?

The Fiat CR.42 Falco was a single-seat biplane. This means it had one pilot and two main wings. It was designed and built in Italy. The plane was known for being very strong and easy to control. It was one of the last biplanes used in major wars.

When was the Falco first used?

The first flight of the Fiat CR.42 was in 1938. It was introduced into service in 1939. This was just before World War II began. The plane was used by the Italian Air Force. This air force was part of the government at that time.

How many Falco planes were made?

About 1,817 Fiat CR.42 Falco planes were built. Most of these were used by Italy. However, some were also sold to other countries. These included Belgium, Hungary, and Sweden.

Where did the Falco fly?

The Fiat CR.42 Falco was used in many different places. It flew in the skies over Europe and North Africa. It took part in battles during World War II.

Falco in the Spanish Civil War

Before World War II, some Falco planes were used in the Spanish Civil War. This war happened in Spain from 1936 to 1939. It was a testing ground for new aircraft.

Falco in World War II

During World War II, the Falco fought in many areas. It was used in the Battle of Britain. It also flew in North Africa and on the Eastern Front. Even though it was a biplane, it faced newer, faster planes. These included the British Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire.

Why was the Falco special?

The Falco was special because it was a biplane. Most other fighter planes by World War II were monoplanes. Monoplanes have only one set of wings. Biplanes were slower but could turn very quickly. This made them good for close-range dogfights. However, their speed was a disadvantage against newer planes.

Images for kids

Fiat CR.42
A preserved Fiat CR.42
A Fiat CR.42 in Regia Aeronautica service.
CR.42 fighter of 18° Gruppo, 56° Stormo after crash-landing near Lowestoft, Suffolk on 11 November 1940. The pilot successfully evaded three British Hurricanes, but was forced down by a malfunction of his aircraft's variable-pitch propeller
A CR.42, 82a Squadriglia 13° Gruppo 2° Stormo. C. T., Gambut airfield, September 1940
A wrecked CR.42 at Bardia, 1940
Wrecked fighters in a destroyed hangar at Tripoli-Castel Benito Airport, Tripoli, Libya, early 1943
A Hungarian CR.42 in 1943
Preserved CR.42 in Swedish Air Force markings
A Swedish Air Force J 11
Fiat CR.42 MM5701 at the RAF Museum, London (November 2011)
Fv2542 (G-CBLS), owned by The Fighter Collection, 2018