| Gladiator Vs Cr.42 Falco: 1940-41 Contributor(s): Gustavsson, Håkan (Author), Slongo, Ludovico (Author), Laurier, Jim (Illustrator) |
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ISBN: 1849087083 ISBN-13: 9781849087087 Publisher: Osprey Publishing (UK) OUR PRICE: $20.70 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: December 2012 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Military - World War Ii - History | Military - Aviation - History | Europe - Great Britain - General |
| Dewey: 940.54 |
| LCCN: 2013474086 |
| Series: Duel |
| Physical Information: 0.4" H x 7.1" W x 9.6" (0.60 lbs) 80 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 1940's - Cultural Region - British Isles - Cultural Region - Italy - Cultural Region - Mediterranean |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: British and Italian biplanes clashed over the Mediterranean at Crete and Malta, and in East and North Africa early in World War II. Both the Gloster Gladiator and the Fiat CR.42 Falco represented the peak in the development of the biplane fighter, which could trace its lineage back to World War I. However, by the time both aircraft entered service in the late 1930s, they were already obsolete. Nevertheless, they gave sterling service on all fronts in the Mediterranean and Africa in 1940-41. Indeed, the CR.42 was the Regia Aeronautica's staple fighter in both North and East Africa, Greece and over Malta in 1940-41, during which time its pilots routinely fought British and Commonwealth squadrons equipped in the main with Gladiator biplanes. Some bitter dogfights were fought between these two types as the Allies attempted to gain control of the skies over North Africa, Greece and East Africa. Both types were flown in the main by highly experienced pre-war pilots, and this in turn made for some closely fought engagements. The first known combat between the CR.42 and the Gladiator took place on 14 June 1940 over North Africa and the last engagement between the two types occurred on 24 October 1941 over the East African front. |
Contributor Bio(s): Laurier, Jim: - Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives in New Hampshire. He attended Paier School of Art in Hamden, Connecticut, from 1974-78, and since graduating with Honours, he has been working professionally in the field of Fine Art and Illustration. He has been commissioned to paint for the US Air Force and has aviation paintings on permanent display at the Pentagon. |