| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | MM5701 |
| Other Marks: | 13-95 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Fiat CR-42 Falco |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Fiat CR-42 Falco |
| Aircraft Version: | Fiat CR-42 Falco |
| C/n (msn): | 326 |
| Operator Titles: | Italy - Air Force |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Hendon (closed)Map |
| Region / Country: | England, United Kingdom |
| Airport Codes: | None |
| Collection: | RAF Museum Hendon / London |
| Photo Date: | 28 December 2012 |
| Photo by: | Alastair T. Gardiner |
| Photo ID: | 46228 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
The Falco was quite possibly the most capable biplane fighter ever produced: the problem was that it was up against Spitfires and Hurricanes, rather than other biplane types. National pride and Mussolini's bluster led a force being sent to take part in the Battle of Britain. On 11th Nov. 1940 this Falco suffered a broken oil pipe and was forced to land on a beach in Suffolk. She was repaired, evaluated by the RAF as BT474, then allocated RAF maintenance serial 8468M and placed into storage before ending up on display at the RAF Museum during 1978. This photo is copyright © Alastair T. Gardiner, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 28 February 2018, and has since been viewed 575 times. |