Their were 3 series 5 aricraft the MC, 205, Fiat G 55, and the RE 2005.They were so called because of the DB 605 which powered theam. When we debate which "NEW" Italian fighter that we would like to see added to AH the debate invarably boils down to the last 2 of this series, the G 55 or the RE 2005. Both these machines did not see large production runs, the RE 2005 was in service before september 8th some 26 being produced for the RA, the Luftwaffe took some aircraft into it's service(some sorces say 10), and some were used by the ANR (ANR aircraft were traing machines). The G 55 saw a larger production run, only a handfull saw combat before sept. 8th, the remander seing service with the ANR after sept.8th and with the Luftwaffe (on and off as the political situation dictated),it should be noted that the G 55 was produced in limited numbers after Sept.8, and that the luftwaffe was so taken by it that they considered producing it in Germany, the only thing that stoped theam was that the airframe required more man hours to produce than the Me 109.
Both aircraft had simmilar performance charactics, althought the RE 2005 was a little faster ( the fastest of the 3), all had good handeling traits. The RE 2005 and the G 55 had 3 20mm MG 151/20's and 2 12.7mm SAFT MG's. The RE 2005 could also cary two 160Kg wing beams and one 1000kg central conection for external stores.
RE 2005:
G 55:
Now which one? The RE 2005 would bring the fastest of the 3 and the only truly JABO capable series 5 aircraft, also this plane could be used to creat earler RE 2000 series variants.The main draw back or point of conjecture is the production run of 30 some odd aircraft.
The G 55 was produced in larger numbers (aprox 200 some sources indicate) and used to a greater extent as a result.
I think the RE 2005 would be more usefull in the MA simply do to the fact that it caries Bombs and was faster ( if marginaly so).
