Fiat CR.42 Aces of World War 2: : Aircraft of the Aces Håkan Gustavsson Osprey Publishing

Fiat CR.42 Aces of World War 2

Description

A study of the exploits of the Fiat CR.42 Aces in World War II.

The Fiat CR.42, a logical development of the Fiat CR.32, was the last single-seat fighter biplane to be produced. It entered service with the Italian Regia Aeronautica in May 1939 before being exported to Belgium, Hungary and Sweden.

Its combat debut came when the Belgian air force threw its fleet into action during the German invasion of the Low Countries on 10th May 1940. Despite being quickly overwhelmed, the Belgian pilots managed to make a number of aerial claims. The CR.42 became heavily involved in the fighting in North Africa and although it was gradually replaced by more modern fighters, it continued in a point defence and ground support role until the end of the war.

Drawing on research from a range of sources, this book examines the extensive employment of the Italian fighter plane during the course of World War II.

Chapter 1 - Combat debut
Chapter 2 - North Africa
Chapter 3 - Battle of Britain
Chapter 4 - East Africa
Chapter 5 - Greece
Chapter 6 - Malta
Chapter 7 - Nightfighting
Chapter 8 - Hungary
Chapter 9 - Swansong
Appendices

Product details

Published	Feb 20 2013
Format	Ebook (PDF)
Edition	1st
Extent	96
ISBN	9781849080934
Imprint	Osprey Publishing
Illustrations	86 b/w; 40 col
Series	Aircraft of the Aces
Short code	ACE 90
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

Author

Håkan Gustavsson

Swede Håkan Gustavsson has researched the use of b…

Author

Ludovico Slongo

Ludovico Slongo is a promising aviation historian…

Illustrator

Richard Caruana

Richard Caruana is a Malta-based artist whose prof…

This book will be a welcome addition to any library dealing with World War II aviation history, and the color plates alone are worth the price. It follows the usual Osprey format, and provides extensive information, not only in the text, but also in photo and drawing captions. If you have any modeling or historical interest in World War II fighter aviation, this book is the one to get. Highly recommended.

Brian R Baker, IPMS (January 2010)
The Fiat CR.42 was roughly comparable to the Royal Air Force's Gloster Gladiator and in the hands of a skilled pilot, the Fiat could also dogfight with Hurricanes and Kittyhawks. The Fiats have been poorly covered so it is refreshing to see this volume with its many color profiles.

Air Classics
This paperback contains 96 pages, including numerous black and white photos; ten pages of color plates to show the wide variety of color schemes and unit badges seen on CR.42 planes.

Flying Models (March 2010)
Like others in Osprey's 'Aircraft of the Aces' series, this one is full of stories of air combat and a look at the situation in which these planes were involved... Typical of the series, there are superb photos of the men and the planes. This is combined with the usual pages of profiles, forty in all, that modelers so love as it inspires future projects. The appendicies give a full listing of those who were successful with the aircraft in all the services that flew it. Line drawings in 1/48 scale are also included. Overall, it is a superb read and an excellent reference. You really cannot go wrong with this or any other book in the series.

Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness, modelingmadness.com (December 2009)
Excellent writing, comprehensive subject coverage, wonderful photos and great color profiles make Fiat CR.42 Aces of World War 2 worthy of a spot in your library.

Walter J. Boyne, Aviation History (September 2011)