An Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana’s mechanic in front to the cockpit of an ANR’s Fiat G.55 Centauro. This photo is especially interesting for the enthusiast of aircraft’s camouflage and markings because highlight the fuselage’s insignia of the ANR’s fighters: the Italian tricolor (from the left to right: red, white, green) with yellow barbed edges. The all dark green finish show the wearing effect of the prolonged use in operational duties on rough airfield, an aspect highly regarded by the expert modellers in reproducing an authentic combat plane and not a “fresh factory” aircraft. Victor Sierra

ANR’s fuselage insignia

The G.55 Centauro number 5 (Yellow Five) of ANR-Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana’s Squadriglia “Montefusco-Bonet” on a Northern Italy’s airfield, 1944. The G.55 (an aircraft rebuilt from a G.59’s airframe) of Vigna di Valle’s Italian Air Force Museum has the same livery and the same number Yellow Five of the plane of this picture (G.55 Series 1 with wing mounted 20 mm cannon). Originally Squadriglia Complementare d’Allarme (Alert Complementary Unit), with base at Venaria Reale, Turin, the “Montefusco” was the first unit of ANR, the air force of Italian Social Republic (RSI), equipped with the Centauro and started its operations in January 1944. On 29 March 1944 the unit claimed an USAAF’s B-17, but the same day her leader, Capt. Giovanni Bonet, was killed in action. After that day the unit’s name was changed in Squadriglia “Montefusco-Bonet" with the Bonet’s signature on the aircraft’s engine cowling. The presence of the Bonet’s signature on the cowling of Yellow Five, note a serviceman resting under the wing, date therefore this picture later 29 March 1944. In May 1944 the Squadriglia “Montefusco-Bonet" was redeployed at Reggio Emilia and afterwards was integrated in the ANR’s 1st Gruppo Caccia (1st Fighter Group). Victor Sierra

Yellow Five

Drawings of the projected Italian tank P.43, this would have been a very competitive tank in face of the  Allied or German production. A 90mm cannon could have been used.