 The Re 2000 was developed by a team headed by aircraft designers Roberto Longhi and Antonio Alessio to be a lightly-built and highly maneuverable interceptor/fighter aircraft.The emergent design, which had been designated as the "Re 2000 Falco I", was equipped with a Curtiss-Wright-style retractable undercarriage, bore substantial similarities to the American-built Seversky P-35.On 24 May 1939, the prototype performed its maiden flight.