Fiat CR42 Falco Italian Biplane Fighter Aircraft at the RAF Museum

The Fiat CR42 Falco is a single seat Italian biplane fighter aircraft that first flew in May 1938 and entered service in 1939. While the Falco was the last biplane to enter service with the Italians, it’s interesting to note that the type entered service 3 years after the Hawker Hurricane monoplane entered service, so I think it gives you quite a good indication on where the Italian Air Force was up to at the time.

Amazingly the Falco came up against the Royal Air Forces Gloster Gladiators during the Battle of Britain and the two were quite similarly matched, as the Supermarine Spitfire was to the Messerschmitt BF109.

Interestingly, this particular Falco was shot down over the UK in October 1940 and force-landed near Ed Sheeran’s hometown Ipswich, in Suffolk.

The Falco was praised for being very manoeuvrable owing to its very low wing loading and was capable of outmanoeuvring more heavily armed monoplanes of the day. The Falco was updated over the years and in addition to being used as a fighter, it was also used in the night fighter, training and ground attack roles.

The type would remain in service with the Spanish Air Force until as late as 1948 – the same year as the Berlin Blockade.

[robertmarsh]

The Gloster Gladiator and Fiat CR42 didn't meet each other in the Battle of Britain to the best of my knowledge. They did meet over Malta and North Africa however.