Fiat C.R.42, shows italys ineptitude

The Fiat C.R.42 falco was the last biplane put into front line service by the Italians. This radial powered, out of date before completed fighter composed much of the Regia Aeronautica's front line at the beginning of the war, and some were even used until the end of hostilities in southern Italy. It was powered by a 840Hp, 14-cylinde air cooled radial Fiat A.74 RC.38 engine. It had fixed landing gear, and an open cockpit. 1,781 Falco's were produced, making it Italys most produced aircraft. It had a top speed of 272mph at 19,700ft. The range was only 480 miles,. and the armament was a meager two machine guns, probably 7.92mm, and were mounted to fire syncronized through the propeller. This proves how inept the Regia Aeronautica was. If the germans had truly helped its ally, things could have been better, instead of an example or two of the DB-601, and a few machines for producing it, they should have also introduced production methods. If they can build an air force in secret, then they could have helped the Iatlians more, pre-war and during. If that had been the case, maybe italy would have been more an ally, and less a burden.