One of the most iconic and widely used Italian fighter during WW2 deserved a very detailed post. That's why i decided to rearrange some pixels, and took the drawing made by Rhade and Glorfindel (which you may check them
here and
here) and, since they were a bit "outdated" i decided to make a blank version in order to update the drawings to nowadays FD quality standards and grouped them in versions:
- Cr.42: First production version, armed with a 12.7mm MG and a 7.7m MG
Cr.42 Egeo:Equipped for Aegean Theater of war. It featured an expanded internal fuel tank which increased it's range from 775km to 840km
Cr.42 AS: AS stands for Africa Settentrionale (Northern Africa). It was a close air support version of the Cr.42 fighter. Featured two complement 12.7mm MGs and underwing tracks for two 100kg bombs. It also featured extra engine filters to prevent the damage caused by the sand.
Cr.42bis: Standard Cr.42 but with the 7.7mm MGs replaced by a 12.7mm ones.
Cr.42CN (CN stands for Caccia notturno = Night Fighter): Night fighter version. Some featured prolonged engine exahusts to prevent the flashes caused by the fumes, others simply didn't and others had spotlights under the wings
Cr.42LW: Version made for the Luftwaffe in the anti-partisan role. Featured two 12.7mm MGs, a prolonged exhaust flame damper and underwing racks for 50kgs bombs.
Cr.42B or Biposto: Training version used also in the communication role.
Notes:
- I've skipped the already made Idro version, because it was already drawn by Whyme, check it here
I've also skipped some versions like the the B version (equipped with a Daimler-Benz DB601 Engine) or the ter version
Blank, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Great Britain (United Kingdom) & France, Fiat Cr.42
Note: In case you were wondering the tail swastikas are not wrong. They were painted like that!
And in case you want to read the reason why the one piloted by Coronello Mario Anselmi looked so rare for the Italian night fighter standards, read it
here
Next one: Savoia Marchetti Sparviero.