Author Topic: Next italian fighter (Read 2045 times)

gatt · « **on:** July 14, 2000, 12:52:00 AM »

Bring on the G.55 "Centauro". A very good 1943 design. Engined with the DB605A she had good handling and performance above 20K (you'll see italians above clouds then). Max speed about 630Kph at 23K, time to 6,000mt was 7'12", minimum speed was 163Kph.

Armament was 3x20mm Mauser MG151-20 and 2x12,7mm Breda-SAFAT. A very good high alt interceptor.

Luftwaffe test pilots found her the best italian fighter during february 1943 combat test between the C.205V, C.205N, G.55, Re.2005, Bf109G-4, FW190A-5.
Not so different from the C.205V, should be not hard to paint her quickly. Moreover, PYRO has good references and the flight manual

leonid · « **Reply #1 on:** July 14, 2000, 12:58:00 AM »

Cool plane

Hristo · « **Reply #2 on:** July 14, 2000, 02:58:00 AM »

OK Gatt, I vote for the Centauro, since you voted for my Dora

Cya

Pongo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 14, 2000, 09:19:00 AM »

So it has 2 wing(root?) 20mm and a spinner 20mm?..
How much ammo?

Kieren · « **Reply #4 on:** July 14, 2000, 10:55:00 AM »

Yes, G55 should be the next Italian fighter.

Karnak · « **Reply #5 on:** July 14, 2000, 11:13:00 AM »

Looks good to me.

Sisu
-Karnak

Torque · « **Reply #6 on:** July 14, 2000, 01:58:00 PM »

Holdon a minute I for one don't want Gatt in that on my arse.

naye

well ok

gatt · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2000, 10:19:00 AM »

Pongo,
she had 2x20mm in the wings (200+200 rounds) like the C.205V, 1x20mm in the nose (250 rounds) and 2x12,7mm in the upper cowlings (300+300 rounds).

humble · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2000, 12:28:00 PM »

More I'm informed about the Italian iron in WW2...the more curious I get. It would seem to me that the 205 is an improvement in all area's on the 109...the performance edge to the 109 all revolving around the power plant used. Would it have been possible to use the same engine in the 205 that the G10 had (with md50 or whatever it had). Now it appears that the G.55 is possibly superior to the 205 (is that an accurate statement?)
Why didn't the germans put them in service in greater numbers if so?

gatt · « **Reply #9 on:** July 16, 2000, 01:13:00 PM »

Nice questions Humble.

Actually, the G.55 was better than the C.205V above 20-22K. The main reason was the lower wing-load: 175,5Kg/sq.mt for the G.55 and 194,5Kg/sq.mt. for the C.205V.
Probably the G.55 airframe was more modern and streamlined (remember that C.205V's fuselage/wing were the same of the older C.202 "Folgore").
Luftwaffe was so interested in the G.55 becouse they needed a good high-alt interceptor (USAF was ready to launch from UK). The G.55 was indeed much better than the /R variant of the Bf109G. Moreover they planned to mount the new DB603 on the G.55. The G.55 was the only italian fighter ready to mount that powerful engine without modifications of the fuselage:

In february 1943 the Germans sent a large commission headed by Lieutenant Colonel Petersen to Guidonia with a view to possible industrial agreements. During the interesting comparative trials wich took place at the airport near Rome, the G.55 was not bettered by the well tried and prestigious Bf109G-4 and FW190A-5. In fact it surpassed them in terms of ease of handling and climbing ability, causing a certain surprise among the LW tecnicians, who expressed more than flattering opinions on the italian machine.
Lieutenant Colonel Petersen was so impressed by the performances of the G.55 that he didnt hesitate to define it "the best fighter in the Axis". Moreover he immediately telegraphed Goering to give him his impressions.
That caused the forwarding of a formal request to FIAT for three complete airframes of the G.55, while the Luftwaffe itself would supply three DB603 engines.
With typical german efficiency the operation was carried out at great speed as confirmation of the of the extreme interest the German ally had in the "Centauro". The German Air Force Ministry invited Professor Gabrielli and the best FIAT technicians to Germany to study technical solutions connected to the production of airframes.
The Germans had planned to equip their own G.55s with the DB603 (1,750hp) engine ...
When at the beginning of 1944 the FIAT G.56 (the DB603 engined G.55, that is) was finally ready, it was tested in flight by Commander Valentino Cus and reached more than 700Kph at 23K. It showed excellent flight characteristics as well.
Eventually the Germans had to give secondary importance to the "Centauro" because of:
- the worsening of the Axis situation,
- the worsening of relationships between Germany and Italy,
- the USAF and RAF bombing of factories in Northern Italy and Germany.

The G.56 could be a nice perk plane indeed ...

[This message has been edited by gatt (edited 07-17-2000).]

Fariz · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2000, 05:33:00 PM »

To the perks pls.

Fariz

gatt · « **Reply #11 on:** July 17, 2000, 03:05:00 AM »

Quote

To the perks pls.

You mean the G.56, right? IMHO the G.55 fills the gap left by the C.205V above 20-22K ... with some more firepower ...

I understand we need other fighters before the "Centauro". First of all the Dora (I dont want Hristo angry on my tail), then some late Spit, Hellcat, La-7, Tempest .... Ki-100? Well, I can wait

[This message has been edited by gatt (edited 07-27-2000).]

gatt · « **Reply #12 on:** July 17, 2000, 03:09:00 AM »

Sorry, double post.

[This message has been edited by gatt (edited 07-17-2000).]

Ghosth · « **Reply #13 on:** July 17, 2000, 08:11:00 AM »

Sounds good to me! Looks like another good Axis plane and an Italian one at that!

humble · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2000, 03:12:00 PM »

If the G.55 is a 1943 design I'd think it would fit into the current set nicely. My understanding is that the "perk" planes will be those that were never in actual combat service for one reason or another...bearcat etc. I'd like the king cobra added to set as well