Reggiane Re.2002 Ariete

Developed from the Regianne Re.2000 and incorporating improvements introduced in the Re.2001, the Regianne Re.2002 Ariete was an Italian fighter bomber operated during the Second World War.

The Re.2002 used the wings of the Re,2001 mated to a strengthened Re.2000 fuselage. The Piaggio P.XIX R.C.45 radial engine was chosen as a powerplant, mainly due to the lack of supply of the Daimler-Benz DB 601 that had ben used for the Re.2001.

Poor performance and an unreliable engine saw the Re.2002 used mainly as a ground attack aircraft.

Germany expressed an interest in acquiring 300 Re.2001 fighters, however Regianne was unable to meet the order. Following the Italian armistice with the Allies, Germany seized 40 aircraft waiting at the Regianne factory along with 20 taken from Italian squadrons. These 60 aircraft were used against the French Resistance.