【 A New Twist to an Italeri Product 】 The Fiat CR42 entered service with the Italian air force in 1939 and effectively became history's last biplane fighter. First flown in May 1938, the CR42 had a 846hp radial engine enabling it to reach 430km/h, which was excellent performance for a biplane. Taking part in air battles over such places as France, Greece, and North Africa, the CR42 was given the role of ground attack and night attacker from the latter half of the war. After Italy surrendered, the Luftwaffe took note of the CR42's low-altitude performance and pressed it into service as an anti-partisan and night intruder aircraft in both Italy and the Balkans. |