Author Topic: Fiat G55 Centauro (Read 1711 times)

gatt · « **Reply #15 on:** January 27, 2006, 07:21:12 AM »

Right Spiked,

in the february 1943 trials at Guidonia Airfield near Rome (papers from Rechlin) the Luftwaffe chose the Centauro as the best Series 5 fighter. Trials were conducted between the C.205V (early version, with oil cooling problems), the C.205N (bigger wing area), the Re2005, the 190A-5 and the 109G-4.

Actually the LW was looking for a good high alt interceptor indeed. The basic 109G lacked firepower, the one with gondolas had a very poor performance and the 190A-5, the best overall dogfighter of the trial (but I guess there were some luftwhiner test pilots

), was obiously not very good for interceptions at those alts.

Spiked · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2006, 12:26:44 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.

The book I have contridicts itself in saying the G.55 had better speed at 23k+ ... but shows the MC.205 being 15mph faster at alt. MC.205 was lighter and smaller of the two which might lead to the faster speeds since they had the same engine (DB 605A, 12 cylinder V - 1475hp). The G.55 had a better ceiling, range and firepower (by one cannon) than the MC.205 however, and if I am reading right was the better "dogfighter".

Klum25th · « **Reply #17 on:** January 27, 2006, 10:37:26 PM »

I'd like to see the G55 and maybe the Re2001-2005 series. Almost looks like a 205, just different shaped wings and rudder.

Krusty · « **Reply #18 on:** January 27, 2006, 10:55:29 PM »

Nah, the wings are way different. The wings look a lot more like a He100D, squared off with a flat spar then angling upwards out past the landing gear.

justin_g · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2006, 04:37:21 AM »

What are the specs for the series 5 fighters? Speed, dimensions etc. Are the top speeds quoted for full power(1475ps)? IIRC Italian DB605's were only run at 1.3ata?

gatt · « **Reply #20 on:** January 28, 2006, 07:59:40 AM »

Justin,
all manuals and official data are at 2,600rpm and 1.3ATA. No clear sign of 1.43ATA and 2,800rpm clearing in any official document, so far.

Angus · « **Reply #21 on:** January 29, 2006, 01:47:09 PM »

Well for a good Med scenario, not to mention ToD, there will be more Italian aircraft needed.
Would be nice, - you have Italian and German fighters vs US and UK.

Angus · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2006, 06:33:15 PM »

BTW, does anyone have the specs for this aircraft?
Weight, speed, climb, VNE and such?

Mustaine · « **Reply #23 on:** January 31, 2006, 06:43:47 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Klum25th
I'd like to see the G55 and maybe the Re2001-2005 series. Almost looks like a 205, just different shaped wings and rudder.

i always thought the Re2005 was a hot plane, but very few of them existed, it would be looked at like the 3 gun la7 (which from what i have read it would give a good fight to based on performance)

Krusty · « **Reply #24 on:** February 01, 2006, 01:20:48 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Angus
Well for a good Med scenario,

Actually not so good. It's a good plane, yes, and it performs well. However it is not representative of the majority of the Italian forces, which were predominantly open cockpit G.50's most of the war (obsolete to say the least). Those would be good for TOD and scenarios, because they were what the allies actually faced most of the time.

Yeah, I still want G.55 someday, but just saying it won't do any good to stick it in anything but "what-if" scenarios.

Angus · « **Reply #25 on:** February 01, 2006, 03:04:03 AM »

Well, you're right. And for a good Med scenario we'd need many others.

storch · « **Reply #26 on:** February 01, 2006, 06:03:38 AM »

it will be very good in the AvA arena and it was built in numbers close to Ta152 which is here and useless in it's currently mis-modelled iteration.

Gianlupo · « **Reply #27 on:** February 01, 2006, 06:11:07 AM »

Angus, this page has a good summary about the G.55, rather accurate:

http://www.kotfsc.com/aviation/g55.htm

And, Krusty, the Centauro was produced in numbers quite similar to the 205, only it was produced in North, after the armistice, that's probably why you mistook production figures.

I'd like to see the Sagittario, too, after the problem with tail was solved, she was an awesome fighter... but, having been produced in such few exemplars, I don't think it should be added to AH.

We do need Italian fighters and bombers for scenarios and AvA, I played a while in another sim that has such planeset and some good scenarios (Malta, Sicily) I assure you it can be a lot of fun. You will be surprised to see how an "obsolete" plane can nonetheless stand against better planes if properly flown, Krusty.

Gatt... ... about those documents you have... ... you know what I mean

KAntti · « **Reply #28 on:** February 01, 2006, 02:13:29 PM »

Even though the G.55 would be nice, Krusty is right, the majority of fighting force composed of G.50s and that is what at first look is missing from AH. (Not to mention I very anctiously want one (for my self) to our FinRus setups)

C.200 would also be very easy to model from G.50 (or vice versa) and both of them have a solid history in production numbers and operational combat.

Also there is no reason why "outdated" machinery in general should not be modeled in AH. Majority of the planes operational in any theater of war would have never been the cutting edge anyway. This is only illusion created by MA which totally screws up the whole history side of things. I will not get further into this, because it will only end up in furball and flames

Debonair · « **Reply #29 on:** February 01, 2006, 04:00:58 PM »

Thats surprising that G.50 were the majority.
Not too many were made & a lot of those were two seat trainer versions & some were exported.
I'd have guessed Macchis or even Cr.42s were the most common RA fighter before I'd have wagered on the G.50s