World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe Re.2000 Falco I fighters were the first aluminum aircraft by the company Reggiane, a division of Caproni. Although mock dogfights proved its performance, the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force) only employed five Re.2000 aircraft due to the unreliable engine; these fighters were initially based in Sicily and fought in North Africa, Malta, and Pantelleria. The Re.2000 fighters did better in the Hungarian and Swedish air forces; in fact, 80% of total production went to those two countries. In Sweden, the Re.2000 was known as the J 20, and was used to intercept hostile bombers on both Axis and Allied sides crossing over the air space of the neutral country. In Hungary, these fighters were known by the name of Héja and served during the war against Russia.

SPECIFICATIONS

Series I

Machinery	One Piaggio P.XI RC 40 engine rated at 986hp
Armament	2x12.7mm Breda-SAFAT (Italian) or Gebauer (Hungarian) machine guns
Crew	1
Span	11.00 m
Length	7.99 m
Height	3.20 m
Wing Area	20.40 m²
Weight, Empty	2,090 kg
Weight, Loaded	2,850 kg
Speed, Maximum	530 km/h
Service Ceiling	10,500 m
Range, Normal	870 km

Photographs