Reggiane Re.2001 GV, the ship hunter from the sky.

ImportantSimone5 · October 22, 2023, 12:38am

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Reggiane Re.2001 GV.

History

August 12, 1942. The Mid-August Battle, also known as Operation Pedestal, is underway. In the 2nd Flight Group of the Regia Aeronautica, two pilots, Aldo Galimberti and Riccardo Vaccari, hypothesized the use of a 630 kg 630PD (Perforante-Dirompente) anti-ship bomb derived from 381 mm naval artillery shells. The vehicles used by the team, Reggiane 2001, were modified to be able to attach the bomb to the belly of the plane, and after some tests it was decided to use the plane in combat.
After stealthily approaching the British aircraft carrier HMS Victorious, one of the two pilots mentioned above manages to drop his bomb against the ship, but unfortunately due to a problem with the fuze (different from the one originally used for the bomb) the device bounces off the ship and explodes causing some casualties but temporary damage to the ship. Unfortunately little is known about the fate of the two Reggianes in question, but what can be said is that the two pilots had a good idea, even if it was difficult to implement.

Armament and propulsion.

The armament was made by 2 Breda-SAFAT 12.7mm in the nose (800 rounds) and 2 Breda-SAFAT 7.7 on the wing (1600 rounds). The plane was also able to carry a single 630 kg bomb with 120 kg of explosive.
Speaking of propulsion, the plane mounted a Alfa Romeo R.A. 1000 RC. 41-I which can erogate a power of 1.175 CV of power and can take the plane to a maximum speed of 545 km/h.

Photos and drawnings.

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