 Thanks to its maneuverability it could dogfight with more powerful opponents like the Supermarine Spitfire.The Re.2001 became the basis of a later, more formidable fighter, the Re.2005.The Reggiane Re.2001 was a development of the Re.2000 "Falco" I which had been rejected by the Regia Aeronautica primarily because of its unprotected fuel tanks in the wing, which were merely sealed voids between the spars, and secondly its engine.