Aircraft · Italy · 1942-1943
Reggiane Re.2002 Ariete
fighter-bomber
Distinct from the earlier Re.2001 fighter, the Re.2002 'Ariete' (Ram) reverted to a radial engine, in part because supplies of the German Daimler-Benz engine that powered the Re.2001 and Macchi C.202 were scarce, and traded some of its predecessor's interception performance for a dedicated ground-attack fit. It entered service in 1942 and flew against Allied shipping during the invasion of Sicily, damaging vessels including the battleship HMS Nelson, and after the September 1943 armistice roughly 60 captured examples served the Luftwaffe against the French resistance.
| crew | 1 |
|---|---|
| top speed | 530 km/h |
| armament | 2x 12.7mm and 2x 7.7mm machine guns, up to 650kg bombs |
| produced | 225 |
Mediterranean and North Africa
