Author Topic: Fiat G55 Centauro (Read 1649 times)

storch · « **on:** January 25, 2006, 07:28:38 PM »

why do we not have this model?

Urchin · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2006, 08:24:20 PM »

I always thought it was nearly identical to the C.205, maybe that is why?

storch · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2006, 09:06:50 PM »

3 x MG151/20MM one firing from the hub two in the wing roots a'la FW190 and two 12.7mm bredas firing through the propeller. it was just slightly slower than the 205 but reportedly a much better turner. but most importantly it's cool looking.

Krusty · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2006, 11:29:45 PM »

probably because precious scattered few saw any service. Yes I know the Ta152 sets a REALLY low standard on that mark, but still, only about 50 or so (if I recall) saw service, far less than even the Chog (200+) the Mc205 (200) and other "rare" planes we have.

EDIT: That's one possible explanation. Had we the 55, I'd fly it, mind you, just trying to answer.

Angus · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2006, 03:40:03 AM »

A well turning aircraft with great firepower?
And good looking as well!
If it's like the MC's it will also handle well at high speed.

Hope we get it one day.

But there will be other aircraft before..

SMIDSY · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2006, 06:22:04 AM »

we needs us some italian bombers. also, what was that one italian biplane fighter? forget which one but the RAF advised hurricane pilots to avoid it because it was so meneuverable.

storch · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2006, 06:25:58 AM »

it's a 1943 plane that would be welcome in the 1943 lineup in the AvA, TOD and SEA. It could hold it's own in the MA as well. stay tuned next week we'll be inquiring about the Reggiane 2005.

MiloMorai · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2006, 06:26:38 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by SMIDSY
we needs us some italian bombers. also, what was that one italian biplane fighter? forget which one but the RAF advised hurricane pilots to avoid it because it was so meneuverable.

CR42

Krusty · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2006, 07:26:18 AM »

I don't honestly think we need any italian bombers. They just didn't play much of a role in the war. They were obsolete when the war started (as was the early Heinkel 111, the Dornier, and other planes that were thought "s*** hot" before the war).

However, I think a representative lineup of Italian fighters would be nice for scenario work. Mind you most of the planes the Italians had were the inferior "Gloster Gladiator" types that were pre-war designs. The 202 and 205 that we have were relatively rare planes, on the macro scale.

Still, once we have a set of obsolete italian and russian planes (and obsolete brit bombers, and IJA/IJN fighters) we can really flesh out scenarios and AvA setups and the like.

KAntti · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2006, 12:55:41 PM »

Krusty, the reason why any Italian plane never plays much of a role in the war is because they are credited with no success and set aside as marginal in numbers and inferior in design and performance.

Italy has much more active role in the war than one would expect, as has its airforce. I would gladly welcome an italian bomber like SM.79II "Sparviero".
First designed as a torpedo bomber in 1934 and entered service in -36.
Total built app. 1200 planes, performance 270 mph (ju88 20 mph faster), ceiling 23 000 ft, payload 2755 lbs, four forward, dorsal, ventral and side firing 12,7 mm and 7,7mm mg's.

Sparvieros served in allmost every theater of the war: Bombing of Malta and allied relief forces to Malta, North Africa, Balkans, and the mediterranian. Yogoslavia and Romania used the SM.79 on the Russian front.

I also would welcome more early Italian fighters like Fiat G.50 and C.200 Saetta, that are also generally under estimated.

gatt · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2006, 02:22:42 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by storch
3 x MG151/20MM one firing from the hub two in the wing roots a'la FW190 and two 12.7mm bredas firing through the propeller. it was just slightly slower than the 205 but reportedly a much better turner. but most importantly it's cool looking.

Actually, the two wing cannons fired outside of the propeller, so the ROF was pretty high. The G.55 had more wing area than the 205 so his handling was much better at high alt. The ammo load was huge, IIRC 200 rounds for each of the 3 Mausers. It outperformed easily the 109G-6 with gondolas so it was probably the best 1943 hi alt buff interceptor. IMO, the most beautiful Series 5 design:

BTW, Pyro has the original flight manual, so who knows ...

Krusty · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2006, 04:24:34 PM »

Kantti I don't discount the role the Italians had in the war "in general" -- they were a major force in the Med area. However over France and the channel they were relatively rare. The fact that the Sm79 flew in every theater doesn't bely it's age, I would like to point out. The P40 was obsolete but produced throughout the war and served in every theater (I think). The Ju52 was WAAY obsolete and served throughout the war, supplanted by the He111 as a VIP transport (which itself was getting old) later in the war, and the 52 was used as a bomber at times! (still can't believe that lol). To flesh out the planeset the SM79 is a must but it still won't be competitive against contemporary bombers or fighters. It would be like the Do17Z: Good to have but crappy to use

1K3 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2006, 05:14:00 PM »

I want G 55 for aces high !:aok

This is what the Bf-109 should have been in the last stages of war...

gatt · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2006, 03:43:26 AM »

In any MED theatre of ops the SM79 would be a must. It was used successfully in North Africa, Malta and during the whole convoys war from 1940 to 1943.
Sure, in our Main Arcade Arena it would be easy meat for any cannon armed fighter.

1K3,
as a late war fighter you could consider the DB603 engined Fiat G.56. Same fuselage and armament but with 1.650hp max power at t/o. A heavy beast able to get to 6.000mt in 5'45", with a max speed of almost 700Km/h at 7,500mt.

Spiked · « **Reply #14 on:** January 27, 2006, 06:59:36 AM »

Interesting paragraph from my "Complete Book of World War II Combat Aircraft".

'Of the Series 5 fighters, the Fiat G.55 Centauro emerged as the best overall, and in the course of its brief but intense operative career, carried out almost exclusively bearing the insignia of the aviation Repubblica Sociale Italiana after September 1943 this fast robust combat plane proved to be an ubeatable interceptor at altitude. In the air battles that took place in northern Italy during the last year of the war, the Centauro clashed with formidable adversaries (such as the British Spitfires and the American Mustangs, Thunderbolts and Lightnings) and proved to be a fearsom antagonist on all occasions.'

I would love to see the G.55 in the game ... but not the Re.2005. The Reggiane 2005 (of which only 30 were completed) was eventually grounded shortly after being commisioned for structural weakness in the rear section of the fusalage. Re.2005 served from March to August in 1943 when it was decided to suspend the use of the aircraft.