Italian Forces

A prototype of “Centauro”

The second prototype of the Fiat G.55 “Centauro” (military code MM492) damaged in a forced landing at Guidonia on Summer 1943, but prior the Mussolini’s fall (the Fascist emblem on fuselage is still present). The "lizard" camouflage schema of the aircraft was used only by the prototypes while the picture’s “white” background is perhaps an effect of military censorship. The MM492 mounted an original German engine Daimler-Benz DB605 engine and a German paddle-blade VDM propeller. The first “Centauro” with the Italian-built RA1050 “Tifone” (the DB605 produced by Fiat under license) and Piaggio P2001 propeller, standard for the production series, was the third prototype (MM493). The G.55 was one of three fighters of Series 5, the other were the Macchi MC.205V “Veltro” and the Reggiane Re.2005 “Sagittario”, and its first prototype (MM491). flew on 30 April 1942.The evaluations were excellent for all the three aircrafts, but the G.55 was the best average performer and won the tender set by the Italian Regia Aeronautica. In December 1942 was planned one first batch of 1800 G.55 in three series and on February 1943 the production plans raised to 3600 units. Victor Sierra