An Italian pilot of a multi-crew, multi-engines in flight at high altitude. Notice the large and likely uncomfortable type of the oxygen mask used by Regia Aeronautica’s crew. Victor Sierra

High altitude

One of the few Reggiane Re.2005 “Sagittario” employed by the 362nd Squadriglia for the Sicily’s defense on July 1943. The aircraft, with the white name “Sagittario” on the fin, is in all dark green finish with the red Squadriglia’s number (362) and the white individual number (5) and show, over the white fuselage stripe, the “Spauracchio” (Bogeyman), emblem of the 22nd Gruppo Caccia Terrestre (Land Fighter Group) to which were embedded the 362nd Squadriglia, only Italian Air Force’s unit equipped with the Re.2005. Moreover the aircraft has, under the cockpit, the Fascist emblem, sign of a photo taken before 25 July 1943 (Mussolini’s fall). On 9 July 1943 the 22nd Gruppo had five Re.2005 (four serviceable) plus ten Re.2001 (nine serviceable), sixteen MC.202 (nine serviceable), three MC.200 (two serviceable) and eight Dewoitine D.520 (five serviceable) split between Capodichino (Naples), Capua and Littoria airfield. On the eve of Allied landing in Sicily, on 10 July 1943 eight Re.2005 of the 362nd Squadriglia was hastily moved from Capodichino to Sigonella airfield, Catania. The operational life of the Re.2005s was extremely brief and just after the arrival at Sigonella six of them was destroyed or heavy damaged on the ground by the Allied raids. The two survivor was switched to Reggio Calabria, embedded in the 371st Squadriglia, and on 14 July, both not in combat conditions, returned to Capodichino soon destroyed by an Allied raid. According some sources between late July and early August, ten Re.2005, all aircraft of the first batch included the prototype MM494, was received by the 362nd Squadriglia at Capua and employed in some interception missions but their result are unknown. On 20 July 1943 the MM494 experienced troubles in flight and his pilot bailed out successfully while the plane was destroyed by the impact with the ground. During one of this flight the aircraft MM.96105 reported flutter in the tail with damages to fuselage. Three Re.2005 was immediately switched to Reggiane, at Reggio Emilia, where was disclosed the phenomena’s origins in the high speed dives (over 750-800 km/h). Meantime the Air Force on 26 August 1943 grounded al the Re.2005 waiting for a corrective action. But by now was too late and the few “Sagittario” survivor was embedded on Autumn 1943 by the Repubblica Sociale Italiana’s Air Force but never employed as operative aircraft. Victor Sierra

“Sagittario”: a very brief life 

An Italian Air Force’s Fiat CR.42 start the engine giving up a considerable smoke’s quantity from the exhausts in face to mechanic which fooling with a ground starter. The airplane, in all carbon black finish, is a former night fighter CR.42CN (CN for Caccia Notturno/Night Fighter) moved to other roles with the lengthened engine exhausts removed as the wheel fairing. Note over the engine cowling the trace of a cancelled unit’s motto, perhaps «Io la notte non posso più dormire/All-night I can’t more sleep», motto of the 377th Squadriglia Caccia Notturna. The airplane is clearly one of former CR.42CNs of this Squadriglia. In background is visible the tail of a Macchi fighter, perhaps a MC.200. Victor Sierra