4 Stormo

97 Squadriglia

9 Gruppo CT Squadriglie 73, 96, 97 Stormo 4

9 Gruppo CT Squadriglie 73, 96, 97 Stormo 4
Arrival Base Country Aircraft Zone Duties
10 Jun 1940 Gorizia Italy CR 42 Sqa 1 TG
Jun 1940 Torino-Mirafiori Italy CR42 Sqa 1 AE. AR
1 Jul 1940 Comiso Sicily CR42 Sqa 2 AE. AR
11 Jul 1940 Berka Cirenaica CR 42 ALIB TG
Aug 1940 Benghasi Cirenaica CR 42 Sqa 5 DF
Sep 1940 El Adem Cirenaica CR42 Sqa 5 DF. AE
25 Dec 1940 Gorizia Italy MC 200 Sqa 2 TG
1 Mar 1941 Brindisi Italy MC 200 Sqa 4 AR. AE
Apr 1941 Gorizia Italy MC 200 Sqa 2 AR. AE
Apr 1941 Bari Italy MC 200 Sqa 4 IT
Jul 1941 Gorizia Italy MC 202 Sqa 2 TG
Sep 1941 Ciampino Italy MC 202 Sqa 3 DF
29 Sep 1941 Comiso Sicily MC 202 ASIC AR. AE. GA
25 Nov 1941 Martuba Cirenaica MC 202 Sqa 5 DF
12 Dec 1941 Barce Cirenaica MC 202 Sqa 5 DF
20 Dec 1941 El Merduma Tripolitan MC 202 Sqa 5 DF
22 Dec 1941 Tarnet Tripolitan MC 202 Sqa 5 DF
Dec 1941 Gorizia? Italy MC 202 Sqa 2 TG
15 Apr 1942 Castelvetrano Sicily MC 202 ASIC AR. AE
Apr 1942 Campoformido Italy MC 202 Sqa 2 TG
24 May 1942 Martuba 4 Cirenaica MC 202 Sqa 5 DF. AR
24 Jun 1942 Sidi Barrani Egypt MC 202 Sqa 5 AR
30 Jun 1942 Fuka Sud Egypt MC 202 Sqa 5 DF. AR. GA. AE
30 Oct 1942 Abu Smeit Egypt MC 202 Sqa 5 IT
1 Nov 1942 Martuba 4 Cirenaica MC 202 Sqa 5 TG. DF
13 Nov 1942 Benghasi K 3 Cirenaica MC 202 Sqa 5 DF
15 Nov 1942 Ara Fileni Tripolitan MC 202 Sqa 5 AE. AR. DF
6 Dec 1942 Misurata Tripolitan MC 202 Sqa 5 IT
6 Dec 1942 Castelbenito Tripolitan MC 202 Sqa 5 DF. AE. CE
16 Jan 1943 Milano-Bresso Italy MC 202 Sqa 1 TG. CE
May 1943 Ciampino Sud Italy MC 202 MC 205 V Sqa 3 DF
Jun 1943 Furbara Italy MC 202 Sqa 3 DF
9 Jun 1943 Ciampino Sud Italy MC 202 Sqa 3 DF
Jun 1943 Gerbini Sicily MC 202 Me 109 G ASIC TG. DF
21 Jun 1943 Catania Sicily MC 202 ASIC DF
10 Jul 1943 Palermo Sicily MC 202 ASIC IT
14 Jul 1943 Crotone Italy MC 202 Sqa 4 DF
16 Jul 1943 Castrovillari Italy MC 205 V Sqa 4 TG. DF
27 Aug 1943 Gioia del Colle Italy MC 205 V Sqa 4 DF

Although the first unit to receive the new MC 200 in 1940. the pilots preferred their CR 42 biplanes. So, they made a swap with 1 Stormo, who were delighted to accept the latest aircraft. The Gruppo moved to Mirafiori shortly before war broke out and began operations against France by patrolling the Alpine border.

After the French surrender, they flew escort to bombers over Malta, then moved on to the Libyan front. During the British counter-offensive in late 1940, this unit suffered heavy losses to action and environment. By the end of the year, they were reequipping in Italy, with the once-rejected MC 200. In March, 73 sq moved to Brindisi, to support the Greek campaign. The next month all three squadriglie joined operations against Yugoslavia. One squadriglia was detached to Allure di Pola.

By July they were re-equipping again, this time with the excellent MC 202. In late September the unit was testing their new aircraft in the skies over Malta. On 25 November 96 and 97 sq transferred to Libya to check-out their non-tropical fighters in desert conditions. 73 sq remained in Sicily and began a career of photo-reconaissance. Its MC 202s were given cameras, but kept their weaponry , and were known to dogfight as much as their fellow squadriglie. The other two squadriglie returned to Sicily, having passed their aircraft to 1 Stormo. Then the whole Gruppo retired to Italy to receive new MC 202s with sand filters.

On 26 May 1942 the freshly equipped unit left for a second tour of the desert. With air superiority their main role, they effectively supported the advance to El Alamein. In the period leading to the Allied onslaught, the unit suffered losses to ground-strafing fighters and the bombing of their bases.

In late October they passed their 10 surviving Macchis to 3 Stormo at Abu Smeit. Picking up 28 brand new MC 202s at Martuba, they returned to the front once more.

However, by December they were back at Castelbenito. defending Tripoli port. Bad weather and lack of fuel reduced the number of sorties. The next month they once again handed their aircraft to 3 Stormo. and left for Italy.

With no new fighters immediately available, the pilots were used to ferry aircraft to operational units. Consideration was given to re-equipping with the D 520! During May 1943, some MC 205 Vs joined the trickle of MC 202s arriving at the unit. They defended Rome for the next two months, having 21 MC 202s on strength by 9 June. The replacements arrived from Furbara and Cerveteri.

By late June they were training in Sicily, with 18 Me 109 Gs. as well as conducting operations in the surrounding waters. Finocchiara and San Salvadore were used as forward strips during this time. 73 sq was detached to Reggio Calabria with six MC 202s and two borrowed MC 205 Vs. moving on to Sigonella in July. After trying to stem the Allied advance on Sicily, the unit returned to Italy where they received the latest MC 205 Vs. A section was detached to Pescara in mid-August. By 7 September the unit had only nine fighters left on operations.

   

 Flight Simulators
 

   IL-2 Sturmovik 'Cliff's of Dover' Blitz

   IL-2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad

   DCS World - has no 3D model

 



Regia Aeronautica Aces (World War II)
Ace No of Kills
Teresio Vittorio Martinoli22 kills
Franco Lucchini22 kills (1 in Spain)
Leonardo Ferrulli21 kills (1 in Spain)
Franco Bordoni-Bisleri19 kills
Luigi Gorrini19 kills
Mario Visintini17 kills
Ugo Drago17 kills
Mario Bellagambi14 kills
Luigi Baron14 kills
Luigi Gianella12 kills
Attilio Sanson12 kills
Willy Malagola11 Kills
Carlo Magnaghi11 kills
Angelo Mastroagostino11 kills
Giorgio Solaroli di Briona11 kills
Mario Veronesi11 kills
Fernando Malvezzi10 kills
Giulio Reiner10 kills
Giuseppe Robetto10 kills
Carlo Maurizio Ruspoli di Poggio Suasa10 kills
Massimo Salvatore10 kills
Claudio Solaro10 kills
Ennio Tarantola10 kills
Giulio Torresi10 kills
Adriano Visconti10 kills

 

 Italy Map

 

    Fiat CR.42 Falco Bibliography:

  • Apostolo, Giorgio. Fiat CR 42, Ali e Colori 1 (in Italian/English). Torino, Italy: La Bancarella Aeronautica, 1999. No ISBN.
  • Apostolo, Giorgio. Fiat CR 42, Ali d'Italia 1 (in Italian/English). Torino, Italy: La Bancarella Aeronautica, 1998. No ISBN.
  • Avions militaires 1919-1939 - Profils et Histoire (in French). Paris: Hachette, Connaissance de l'histoire, 1979.
  • Beale, Nick, Ferdinando D'Amico and Gabriele Valentini. War Italy: 1944-45. Shrewbury, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1996. ISBN 1-85310-252-0.
  • Boyne, Walter J. Scontro di Ali (in Italian). Milano: Mursia, 1997. ISBN 88-425-2256-2.
  • Carr, John, On Spartan Wings, Barnsley, SY: Pens & Sword Military, 2012. ISBN 978-1-84884-798-9.
  • Cull, Brian and Frederick Galea. Gladiators over Malta: The Story of Faith, Hope and Charity. Malta: Wise Owl Publication, 2008. ISBN 978-99932-92-78-4.
  • De Marchi, Italo. Fiat CR.42 Falco (in Italian). Modena, Italy: Stem Mucchi, 1994. No ISBN.
  • Forslund, Mikael. J 11, Fiat CR 42 (in Swedish with English summary). Falun, Sweden: Mikael Forslund Production, 2001. ISBN 91-631-1669-3.
  • Gustavsson, Håkan and Ludovico Slongo. Fiat CR.42 Aces of World War 2. Midland House, West Way, Botley, Oxford /New York, Osprey Publishing, 2009. ISBN 978-1-84603-427-5.
  • Gustavsson, Håkan and Ludovico Slongo. GLADIATOR vs. CR.42 FALCO 1940-41. Midland House, West Way, Botley, Oxford /New York, Osprey Publishing, 2012. ISBN 978-1-84908-708-7.
  • Gustavsson, Håkan. "South African Air Force use of the Fiat CR.32 and CR.42 during the Second World War." Håkans aviation page, 9 April 2009. Retrieved: 13 April 2009.
  • Haining, Peter. The Chianti Raiders: The Extraordinary Story Of The Italian Air Force in The Battle Of Britain. London: Robson Books, 2005. ISBN 1-86105-829-2.
  • Kopenhagen, W. Das große Flugzeug-Typenbuch (in German). Stuttgart, Germany: Transpress, 1987. ISBN 3-344-00162-0.
  • Lambert, John W. "The 14th Fighter Group in World War II". Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military History, 2008. ISBN 0-76432-921-9.
  • Lucas, Laddie, ed. Wings of War: Airmen of All Nations Tell their Stories 1939-1945. London: Hutchinson, 1983. ISBN 0-09-154280-4.
  • Massimello, Giovanni and Giorgio Apostolo. Italian Aces of World War 2. Oxford / New York: Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 978-1-84176-078-0.
  • Neulen, Hans Werner. In the skies of Europe - Air Forces allied to the Luftwaffe 1939-1945. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press, 2000. ISBN 1-86126-799-1.
  • Pacco, John. "Fiat CR.42" Belgisch Leger/Armee Belge: Het militair Vliegwezen/l'Aeronautique militaire 1930-1940 (in French). Artselaar, Belgium, 2003, pp. 66–69. ISBN 90-801136-6-2.
  • Pagani, Flaminio. Ali d'aquila Duelli Aerei nei Cieli d'Europa 1936-1943 (in Italian). Milano: Mursia, 2007.
  • Punka, George. Fiat CR 32/CR 42 in Action (Aircraft Number 172). Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal, 2000. ISBN 0-89747-411-2.
  • "S.C." (in Italian). Il Messaggero Roma, 12 July 1984.
  • Sgarlato, Nico. Fiat CR.42 (in Italian). Parma, Italy: Delta Editrice, 2005.
  • Skulski, Przemysław. Fiat CR.42 Falco. Redbourn, UK: Mushroom Model Publications, 2007. ISBN 83-89450-34-8.
  • Sutherland, Jon and Diane Canwell. Air War East Africa 1940-41 The RAF versus the Italian Air Force. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Pen and Sword Aviation, 2009. ISBN 978-1-84415-816-4.
  • Taylor, John W.R. "Fiat CR.42." Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the present. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969. ISBN 0-425-03633-2.
  • Thomas, Andrew. Gloster Gladiator Aces. Botley, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-84176-289-X.
  • Vossilla, Maggiore. "Pilota Ferruccio, comandante 18° Gruppo C.A.I (in Italian)." Prima Battaglia Aerea Relazione giornaliera Ministero dell'Aeronautica, 11 Novembre 1940.
  • Wheeler, Barry C. The Hamlyn Guide to Military Aircraft Markings. London: Chancellor Press, 1992. ISBN 1-85152-582-3.
  • Winchester, Jim. "Fiat CR.42." Aircraft of World War II (The Aviation Factfile). Kent, UK: Grange Books plc, 2004. ISBN 1-84013-639-1.

    Magazine References: +

  • Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/
  • Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html
  • FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/
  • Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html
  • Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/
  • Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/
  • Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
  • Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/

    Web References: +

  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_CR.42
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_CR.42
  • http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco.htm
  • http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco_belgium.htm The Fiat CR.42 in the Belgian Air Force
  • http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco_hungary.htm The Fiat CR.42 in the Hungarian Air Force
  • http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco_sweden.htm The Fiat CR.42 in the Swedish Air Force

 

Send Mail  
Please help us to improve these articles with any additional information or photo's. 
If you should encounter any bugs   broken links,  or display errors just email us.

If you love our website please add a like on facebook

Please donate so we can make this site even better !!

 

 

This webpage was updated 21st December 2021

-xxx-