Re.2002 Early

Re.2002 Early

Re.2001 serie 1

Re.2002 Early

Re.2001 serie 1

Italy

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
2.3	2.3	2.3

Class:

Fighter

Research:9 200

Purchase:16 000

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Description

The Re.2002 Early is a rank II Italian fighter with a battle rating of 2.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy".

General info

Flight performance

While the Re.2002 looks like a modernized variant of the Re.2000 (and is, in fact, a design derived from the Re.2000), one must never forget the Re.2002 was designed to be a fighter bomber, not a pure-bred fighter. It does have a more powerful engine, but its overall weight is noticeably higher. Combined with rather bad climb rate and mediocre maneuverability, the Re.2002 is really an attacker disguised as a fighter. It is thus recommended to treat it like a single-seat attacker and use the corresponding play style.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 5,500 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
511	496	11000	20.0	20.7	10	10	150
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 5,500 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
550	530	11000	18.1	19.0	15.8	12.7	150

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flaps (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
		480	~9	~7

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 350	< 350	< 380	> 200

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
4,500 m	1,160 hp	1,276 hp

Survivability and armour

• 8 mm Steel - Pilot's seat
• 8 mm Steel - Armored plate behind the pilot
• 50 mm Bulletproof glass - Armored windscreen
• Critical components located at the front of aircraft (pilot, engine, controls)
• More fuel tanks located in wings near the fuselage
• Fuel tank in the fuselage behind the pilot

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Re.2002 Early is armed with:

• 2 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, nose-mounted (350 rpg left + 490 rpg right = 840 total)
• 2 x 7.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, wing-mounted (630 rpg = 1,260 total)

Suspended armament

The Re.2002 Early can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 1 x 250 kg GP 250 bomb (250 kg total)
• 1 x 250 kg GP 250 bomb + 2 x 50 kg GP 50 bombs (350 kg total)
• 1 x 250 kg GP 250 bomb + 2 x 100 kg GP 100 bombs (450 kg total)

Usage in battles

Given its low manoeuverability, bad climb rate and low speed, the Re.2002 should be used as a single-seat attacker. For this purpose, it can carry quite a formidable payload for its size and rank - a single 250 kg bomb and up to 2 x 100 kg bombs. In the air RB, this payload will come in handy for destroying a pillbox or two or knocking out some tanks, using your MG armament against softer targets.

However, it is in the tank RB where the machine is truly useful. Given its low battle rating, its top payload is fully able to destroy any tank on the given BR spread and its 250 kg bomb has enough punch to knock out multiple targets if you're lucky (or skilled) enough to hit a cluster of thin-skinned vehicles. You can also use the Re.2002 as an impromptu dive bomber with the advantage of being able to defend itself against enemy fighters. But don't mistake the Re.2002 for a proper CAS plane, as it lacks the payload and the armour protection for repeated attacks, especially against prepared AA defense. The Re.2002 is thus great for hit and run attacks, after which you can either return to your airfield and rearm, or you can climb a little and try to pick off any sneaking enemy CAS aircraft.

With a subpar agility, climb rate and speed, but possessing a good payload for its rank, the Re.2002 is an attacker disguised as a fighter and should never be brought into a direct dogfight

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Separate	Not controllable 1 gear	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator		Offensive 7 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe		Offensive 12 mm	MCGP250
III	Wings repair	Engine		New 7 mm MGs		MCGP50
IV		Engine injection	Cover		New 12 mm MGs	MCSAP100

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Good payload for its rank
• Large ammunition supply for its guns

Cons:

• Subpar agility
• Low climb rate
• Engine overheats quickly even with all modifications researched
• Lack of armour protection

History

The Re. 2002 was a return to the radial engine, combining the new structural features of the Re. 2001 with an engine comparable to the Re. 2000's. Agile and sturdy, it was the best fighter-bomber/attack plane the Italians had, and was respected by the Luftwaffe, who seized 60 of them when Italy surrendered. In total, 225 were built, the last 40 for the Luftwaffe. Another 40 continued on with Italian forces fighting with the Allies.

Reggiane had been unable to find sufficient DB 601 engines (being produced on license in Italy) to keep up with demand for the Re. 2001, so they switched back to a Piaggio-designed radial. This meant the wing system of the Re. 2001 could be kept in the new model. It first flew in October, 1940, and the Italian air force placed its first order in September, 1941. It first became operational in July, 1943, during the invasion of Sicily.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

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• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

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