Flying Machines 1/48 FIAT G.55 Serie I Centauro (Centaur) by Jean Barby |
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There were about 30 of these aeroplanes in service in the Italian Air Force at the time of
the 1943 armistice. There were 150 in the fighter units of the ANR after that date, and they
remained in service until the end of hostilities in 1945. This was the operational career
of the Fiat G.55, one of the finest Italian combat aeroplanes of the war. The aeroplane
was the result of the last desperate production effort of the Italian aviation industry
during the war. It was powerful, fast, and sturdy, an unbeatable interceptor at high
altitude. In dog fights carried out in the north during the last year of the war, the
G.55 was pitted against the best British and American aeroplanes of the time, such as
Spitfires, Mustangs, Thunderbolts, and Lightnings, and proved to be no easy adversary.
Milch a strong proponent of the plan to build the G.55 in Germany hoped to have the G.55 available for
the Luftwaffe within a year, and aimed at building a more powerful variant
(G.56) powered by the new 1,750hp DB.603 (which could not be installed in the Bf.109). The plan was eventually cancelled after
the Italian Armistice but again resumed with the construction of two prototype G.56s (MM.536 and MM.537),
MM.536 making its maiden flight on 28 March 1944. Performance was quite good and the fighter reached
680 km/h (423 mph) with no trace of flutter, even while manoeuvering under high speeds, a common problem
with most piston-engined fighters of the period. |
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This is the 1/48 Flying Machines (you can also use the Special Hobby - SO48087) FIAT G.55 Serie I "Centauro" while serving in the 2o Gruppo, 2a Squadriglia with the ANR in mid-1944. The plane is re-painted in Luftwaffe colors of RLM 76/74/75 to comply with German directives during that period. The insignia of the Diavoli Rossi is still on the previous camo background of Verde oliva scurro. A very pleasant model of certainly a great looking bird. Cheers, jean. |
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Aircraft: Fiat G.55 Serie I Manufacturer: Fiat S.A. Type: Fighter Year: 1943 Engine: Damiler Benz DB 605A-1, 12-cylinder V, liquid-cooled 1,475hp Wingspan: 38 ft 10 1/2 in (11.85 m) Length: 30 ft 9 in (9.37 m) Height: 12 ft 4 in (3.77 m) Weight: 8,200 lb (3,720 kg) (Loaded) Maximum Speed: 385 mph (620 km/h) at 24,300 ft (7,400 m) Ceiling: 41,700 ft (12,700 m) Range: 1,025 miles (1,650 km) Armament: 2 x 12.7mm (0.5 in) SAFAT machine guns, 3 x 20 mm cannons Crew: 1 |
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December, 2018 STORMO! © 2018 |