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Italy's Fiat G.55 Centauro (Centaur) fighter1,2,3
Fiat G.55 Centauro fighter:
Fiat G.55/I Centauro fighter3:
Design
The Fiat G.55 Centauro was designed as competition to the Macchi MC.205 and Reggiane 2005.1
Engine
Was originally designed to use the Fiat A38 engine, but was fitted with a license built Daimler-Benz DB 605.1
Undercarriage
The undercarriage was wide and gave excellent ground handling.1 The oleos were retracted inward.1
Pilot
The cockpit was mounted high and afforded the pilot high visibility.1 The canopy opened to starboard.1
Prototype
The prototype was first flown on April 30, 1942.1,3
Production
Production of the Fiat G.55 started in early 1943.3
- G.55 prototypes: 33
- G.55/0: 83
- G.55/I: ~1053
- G.55/II: 13
- G.55S: 103
- G.55A/B (postwar): 853
- Total: 2123
Variants
- G.55: Main fighter model.1
- G.55/II: Bomber interceptor.3 Five 20 mm cannons.3
- G.55A: Postwar fighter.3
- G.55B: Postwar trainer.3 Had two seats.1,3 Didn't fly until 1946 and ten were supplied to the Aeronautica Militare Italiana and 15 to Argentina.1
- G.55S: Design as a torpedo bomber.1,3 Did not see service.1
- G.56: Was to use the Daimler-Benz DB 603 engine and would have been the fastest Italian fighter.1,3 Only two were built before production was cancelled.1 Maximum speed was 426 mph / 685 kph.3
Usage
First action was in the defense of Rome in 1943.1
Serafino Agostini, a Fiat test pilot, flew a British POW to safety in a G.55.1
After the Italian Armistice
After the Italian government surrendered to the Allies some G.55s were used by the Aviazione Nazionale Repubblicana (Fascist Republic Air Arm).1,3
After the War
In the 1950s it was produced and was used by the Aeronautica Militare Italiana (AMI).1 These were used by Argentina, Egypt, Israel, and Syria.3
| Fiat G.55/I Centauro1,2,3 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1,2,3 |
| Crew | 11,2,3 |
| Engine (Type) | Fiat RA 1050 Tifone (Daimler-Benz DB 605A) piston1 Fiat RA 1050 RC-58 Tifone (Daimler-Benz DB 605A)2 Fiat RA 1050 TC58 Tifone (Daimler-Benz DB 605A)3 |
| Cylinders | Inverted V-121,2,3 |
| HP | 1,4751,2,3 |
| Cooling | Liquid1 |
| Propeller blades | 33 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 38' 10"1, 38' 10.5"2,3 11.85 m1,2,3 |
| Length | 30' 8.9"2, 30' 9"1,3 9.37 m1,2,3 |
| Height | 10' 3"1, 10' 3.2"2, 10' 3.25"3 3.13 m1,2,3 |
| Wing area | 227 ft2 1, 227.23 ft2 2 21.11 m2 1,2 |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 5,786 lb1, 5,798 lb2, 5,952 lb3 2,630 kg1,2, 2,700 kg3 |
| Loaded | 8,179 lb3, 8,180 lb1, 8,197 lb2 3,520 kg1, 3,710 kg3, 3,718 kg2 |
| Performance | |
| Speed | 391 mph1,2 603 kph1, 630 kph2 |
| Speed @ 22,965' / 7,000 m |
385 mph3 620 kph3 |
| Cruising speed | 348 mph3 560 kph3 |
| Climb | 3,300'/minute3 1,006 m/minute3 |
| Climb to 19,685' / 6,000 m |
7 minutes 12 seconds2 7.2 minutes3 |
| Climb to 26,250' / 8,000 m |
10.2 minutes3 |
| Service ceiling | 41,667'2, 41,700'1, 42,650'3 12,700 m1,2, 13,000 m3 |
| Range | 744 miles1, 746 miles2,3 1,200 km1,2,3 |
| Maximum range with auxiliary fuel | 1,025 miles3 1,650 km3 |
| Armament | |
| Propeller | 1: 20 mm Mauser MG 151/20e1 1: 20 mm3 |
| Nose | 2: 12.7 mm MG3 |
| Wings | 2: 20 mm Mauser MG 151/20e1 2: 20 mm3 2: 12.7 mm Breda SAFAT MG1 |
| Bombs under wing | 2: 352 lb1 2: 160 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, General Editor Chris Bishop, 1998
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
