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Italy's Fiat G.50 Freccia (Arrow) fighter^1,2,3

Fiat G.50 Freccia fighter:	Fiat G.50 Freccia fighter:	Fiat G.50 Freccia fighter in 1939:	Fiat G.50bis Freccia fighter:
Fiat G.50 Freccia fighter and a Messerschmitt Bf 110: Bundesarchiv 101I-425-0338-16A-01

Design

In 1935-1936 Giuseppi Barielli designed the G.50 Freccia.^1,2 It was the first monoplane with all-metal construction, retracting landing gear, and a constant speed propeller to be used by the Regia Aeronautica.^1,2,3

The G.50bis had better armor for the pilot, and there was additional fuel.¹

Prototype

The G.50 prototype flew on February 26, 1937.^1,2,3 A batch of 45 were ordered.³

The G.50bis prototype flew in September 1940.^1,2,3

The G.50V first flew in August 1941.³

Production

CMASA, a subsidiary of Fiat, started production on the G.50 and the first twelve were sent to Spain for evaluation.^1,2,3

Even though the MC.200 was better, an order for 200 was placed.^1,2

• G.50: 245^1,2, 246³
• G.50bis: 421^1,2,3
• G.50bis/A: 1³
• G.50B: 108^1,2,3
• G.50V: 1³
• Total: 777³

Variants

• G.50: The first 45 had canopies.³ Next 200 had open cockpits.³
• G.50bis: Had more armor in the cockpit.^2,3 It carried more fuel.² Had self sealing fuel tanks.³ The fin and rudder were redesigned.³ The fuselage was changed to improve pilot visability.³
• G.50bis/A: Two seat carrier based fighter bomber.³
• G.50B: Two seat plane with dual controls for training.^1,2,3
• G.50ter: Had Fiat A 76 engine (1,000 HP).³
• G.50V: Had Daimler-Benz DB 601A engine (1,050 HP).³ Top speed was 360 mph / 579 kph.³

Usage

Spain

In Spain a stormo and a gruppo were outfitted with the G.50.^1,3

Often the pilot would fly the G.50 with the cockpit canopy open as they felt it restricted their view.³

World War II

In November 1939 the 51° Stormo received the first batches.^1,2 Soon after the 52° Stormo received them.¹

By the time of Italy's entry in World War II in June 1940, there were 118 G.50s in service.^1,2

Belgium

The 51° Stormo moved to Belgium in November 1940 with 48 G.50s.^1,2

North Africa

Five gruppi used the G.50bis in North Africa.^1,2

Croatia

Croatia received ten G.50bis.^1,2,3

Finland

Finland received 35 G.50s in 1940.^1,2,3 These took part in the 1941 - 1944 Continuation War.³ Some were also used until 1947.³

	Fiat G.50 Freccia1,2,3	Fiat G.50bis Freccia3
Type	Fighter1,2,3
Crew	11,2,3
Engine (Type)	Fiat A.74 RC 38 piston1,2 Fiat A 74 RC383
Cylinders	Radial1,2 Radail 143
HP	8401,2,3
Cooling
Propeller blades	33
Dimensions
Span	36' 0.5"1, 36' 1"3, 36' 1.1"2 11 m1,2,3
Length	25' 7"1, 25' 7.1"2, 26' 4"3 7.8 m1,2, 8.02 m3	27' 2"3 8.28 m3
Height	10' 9"3, 10' 9.1"2, 10' 9.25"1 3.28 m1,2,3	9' 9"3 2.97 m3
Wing area	196.45 ft2 1,2 18.25 m2 1,2
Weight
Empty	4,328 lb3, 4,332 lb2 1,963 kg3, 1,965 kg2	4,443 lb3 2,015 kg3
Loaded	5,291 lb2,3 2,400 kg2,3	5,560 lb3 2,522 kg3
Performance
Speed @ 13,125' / 4,000 m	286 mph1,2 460 kph1,2
Speed @ 16,400' / 5,000 m		293 mph3 472 kph3
Cruising speed		258 mph3 415 kph3
Climb		2,400'/minute3 731 m/minute3
Climb to 13,125' / 4,000 m	4.6 minutes1,2
Climb to 19,685' / 6,000 m		7.8 minutes3
Service ceiling	35,2692, 35,270'1 10,750 m1,2	32,480'3 9,900 m3
Range	360 miles1,2 580 km1,2	420 miles3 676 km3
Maximum range		620 miles3 998 km3
Armament
Nose	2: 12.7 mm Breda SAFAT MGs1,2 2: 12.7 mm MG3

Sources:

1. Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
2. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, General Editor Chris Bishop, 1998
3. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998

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