Italian Forces

The first flight of the “Sagittario”

The light accident experienced by the first prototype, MM.494, of the Reggiane Re.2005 “Sagittario” (Sagittarius), last of Italian Regia Aeronautica’s Series 5 fighters, the day of his first flight, 1st May 1942, at Reggio Emilia airfield. Capt. Tullio Da Prato, Reggiane’s chief test pilot, was forced at an emergency belly land because only half of the undercarriage was extended on approach to airfield. The aircraft not suffered heavy damages and was repaired within the space of a week and returned to flight after few days. Note, in background, a car with on the roof the gas bottle, methane during the war time extensively employed in place of the precious petrol. Victor Sierra