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Regia Aeronautica

Reggiane RE.2007

Detail design of the Re 2007 single-seat jet fighter began in 10/43 and component manufacture began shortly afterwards. All design work had to be based on the known dimension of the Jumo 004B, it's intended power plant, but could progress no further by 1/44 owing to the lack of detailed information relating to the engine and it's installation. Hauptmann Bohm, the Luftwaffe's senior engineer at the Reggiane plant, could not obtain a definitive decision concerning the supply of the two Jumo 004B's. On the 1/7/44, Roberto Longhi wrote to Count Caproni, requesting that he intercede with the German authorities as design work had stalled. In the meantime, much of the rear fuselage, wing spars, ribs, undercarriage and the cockpit were built but because of the inability to obtain adequately detailed information relating to the Jumo 004B the work once again stalled. In 10/44 the completed components were moved to the Caproni plant at Taliedo, where they would remain until the end of the war.
Reggiane RE.2007
They were then shipped to the U.S.A. It is interesting to note that the two Jumo 004B engines were sent to Italy, but never made it to the Regianne designers and allegedly were sold for scrap in Milan immediately after the collapse of the German forces in Italy.

Specifications

Engine 1x Junkers Jumo 004 turbojet
Max Speed 1,050 kph
Ceiling 15,000 m
Range 1,500 km
Crew 1
Armament 4x20 mm cannons

Article by JDG

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