Fiat CR 42 Falco

Designed by Celestino Rosatelli, the Italian Fiat CR 42 was the last single-seat biplane fighter to be manufactured by any Second World War combatant. CR 42s took part in the invasion of Southern France and later fought against the RAF in the Battle of Britain.

Completely outclassed by RAF fighters, CR 42s saw limited use in the conflict and suffered many losses. In October 1940, this CR 42 served with the 'Corpo Aereo Italiano'. It force-landed at Orford Ness on 11 November 1940 during an Italian air raid on Harwich. The pilot, Pietro Salvadori, was taken prisoner and his aircraft was later repaired and tested by the RAF. It is one of only two intact, original CR 42s in existence and forms part of the Museum's 'Fighter Four' display, a unique collection of the four principal single-seat fighters engaged in the Battle of Britain, each a genuine survivor of that conflict.