21.03.2008, 14:23
![[Image: 800px-FIAT_G-55_Centauro_%281%29.jpg]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/FIAT_G-55_Centauro_%281%29.jpg/800px-FIAT_G-55_Centauro_%281%29.jpg)
Fiat G-55... why not?
21.03.2008, 14:24
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_G.55
General characteristics
* Crew: One
* Length: 9.37 m (30 ft 9 in)
* Wingspan: 11.85 m (38 ft 10 in)
* Height: 3.13 m (without the antenna mast) (10 ft 3
General characteristics
* Crew: One
* Length: 9.37 m (30 ft 9 in)
* Wingspan: 11.85 m (38 ft 10 in)
* Height: 3.13 m (without the antenna mast) (10 ft 3
21.03.2008, 14:29
Why not what? ..Blow the crap out of it??
21.03.2008, 14:34
Some aviation experts consider the FIAT G55 Centauro the best single seat fighter produced for the Italian air force in World War Two. The Fiat G55 Centauro was a redesigned version of the G50 Freccia. Differences included a DB 605 A-1 engine, an improved fineness ratio of the fuselage and a redesigned wing, built in 2 sections ,bolted together at the centerline for greater efficiency. Metal stressed skin was used and the metal framed airlerone was fabric covered.
The first prototype was flown on April 30, 1942 and production started in the beginning of 1943. The initial model was the G55/0 which held a 20mm MG 151 cannon and (4) 12.7mm Breda SAFAT machine guns. The "O" model was succeeded by the "I" model which held three 20mm MG151's and two Breda SAFAT machine guns. Deliveries of the G55 to the 53rd Stormo and the 353rd Squadriglia of the 20th Gruppo just started when Italy surrendered to the Allies on September 8, 1943. Because of Italy's surrender, the G55 did not see combat with the Regia Aeronautica. However, factories which were building the G55's were still under the control of the Republica Sociale Italiana (Salo Republic) in northern Italy, and several thousand were ordered. The G55 became the RSI's standard aircraft for their air force. Shortages began to develope as the DB 605 A-1 engines became scarce and only 105 FIAT G55's were produced by the time the Allies overran all of Italy.
Other models developed based on the G55 which were the G55/II with 5 20mm cannons and the G55/S Torpedo Fighter, which carried one 2,176 lb Whitehead fiume torpedo beneath the fuselage. Both of these variations of the G55 flew in 1944.
After the war, production of the G55 resumed for foreign export and the newer G55/A's and G55/B's were built. Fiat reinstalled the production lines to produce the G.55A armed with either 2 wing-mounted 12.7mm machine guns or 2 20mm canon plus the 2 12.7mm machine guns in the cowling. 19 went to the Italian air force and 30 were supplied to Argentina. Argentina returned 17 that were then sold to Egypt in 1948, being armed with 4 12.7mm machine guns. A 2-seat trainer version, the G.55B was built in 1946 with 10 going to the Italian air force and 15 to Argentina in 1948.
why not to play with it in IL2??
The first prototype was flown on April 30, 1942 and production started in the beginning of 1943. The initial model was the G55/0 which held a 20mm MG 151 cannon and (4) 12.7mm Breda SAFAT machine guns. The "O" model was succeeded by the "I" model which held three 20mm MG151's and two Breda SAFAT machine guns. Deliveries of the G55 to the 53rd Stormo and the 353rd Squadriglia of the 20th Gruppo just started when Italy surrendered to the Allies on September 8, 1943. Because of Italy's surrender, the G55 did not see combat with the Regia Aeronautica. However, factories which were building the G55's were still under the control of the Republica Sociale Italiana (Salo Republic) in northern Italy, and several thousand were ordered. The G55 became the RSI's standard aircraft for their air force. Shortages began to develope as the DB 605 A-1 engines became scarce and only 105 FIAT G55's were produced by the time the Allies overran all of Italy.
Other models developed based on the G55 which were the G55/II with 5 20mm cannons and the G55/S Torpedo Fighter, which carried one 2,176 lb Whitehead fiume torpedo beneath the fuselage. Both of these variations of the G55 flew in 1944.
After the war, production of the G55 resumed for foreign export and the newer G55/A's and G55/B's were built. Fiat reinstalled the production lines to produce the G.55A armed with either 2 wing-mounted 12.7mm machine guns or 2 20mm canon plus the 2 12.7mm machine guns in the cowling. 19 went to the Italian air force and 30 were supplied to Argentina. Argentina returned 17 that were then sold to Egypt in 1948, being armed with 4 12.7mm machine guns. A 2-seat trainer version, the G.55B was built in 1946 with 10 going to the Italian air force and 15 to Argentina in 1948.
why not to play with it in IL2??
21.03.2008, 14:46
Now we are getting somewhere... How much combat did this beast get before wars end?
21.03.2008, 14:58
It didn't see much combat BUT it was widelly exported to middle eastern countries, and south america. Argentina had several, but without the improved engine, thus rendering it useless as a fighter by 1946.
Of course that same year we got 100 Gloster Metheors form England, making the Centauros, a second line fighter, and/or trainer.Still Il-2 has LOTS of potential for what if 1946 to 1949 scenarios in teh midle east, africa and south america, where teh lastes Jet Fighters were not operating.
Of course that same year we got 100 Gloster Metheors form England, making the Centauros, a second line fighter, and/or trainer.Still Il-2 has LOTS of potential for what if 1946 to 1949 scenarios in teh midle east, africa and south america, where teh lastes Jet Fighters were not operating.
21.03.2008, 15:12
Just been checking on the net myself.. You are correct. Some action seen, a handful of kills recorded..
Nevermind the fantasy 'what if' scenarios.. This aircraft saw action during the war and was a capable fighter. It's a pity Oleg and his team didn't spend time producing this, and other WWII aircraft that we are sorely missing, instead of the dross that appeared with '1946'..
Nevermind the fantasy 'what if' scenarios.. This aircraft saw action during the war and was a capable fighter. It's a pity Oleg and his team didn't spend time producing this, and other WWII aircraft that we are sorely missing, instead of the dross that appeared with '1946'..
21.03.2008, 15:24
Yeah I always liked the Fiat...
No need to complain about 1946 really. A lot of cool stuff came with it too, like IL-10 etc. I don't think you'd find another sim with that obscure Russian stuff.
No need to complain about 1946 really. A lot of cool stuff came with it too, like IL-10 etc. I don't think you'd find another sim with that obscure Russian stuff.
21.03.2008, 15:27
Our brothers from Italy made a real model for IL-2 (without cockpit) a couple of years ago and it
21.03.2008, 15:34
Metatron Wrote:Yeah I always liked the Fiat...
No need to complain about 1946 really. A lot of cool stuff came with it too, like IL-10 etc. I don't think you'd find another sim with that obscure Russian stuff.
I'm not complaining about the historical aircraft that arrived with 46.. But if you look at the amount of non historical, or never saw combat, or just plain fantasy stuff that shipped as well, think of all the time, man hours, and effort that was required to bring them to fruition.. and then look at the well documented historical mainstay aircraft that are nowhere to be seen.. It beggars belief!
21.03.2008, 15:55
Yeeeeeeesss! The G55 is my favorite Italian WW2 aircraft. I wanna have it!
21.03.2008, 16:36
Quote:Why not what? ..Blow the crap out of it??
21.03.2008, 17:09
now it is possible, because we can make new planes with new DM/FM and such
21.03.2008, 17:11
Trooper117 Wrote:Why not what? ..Blow the crap out of it??C'mon Trooper, the Fiat G.55 was the Ferrari of the skys in it's day...you'd need to catch it first
I reckon it's a totally "love to have" addition to IL2, lets hope it finally makes it. What about the Re.2000, another DB engined Italian fighter, wasn't there one of these "on the way" from the Italian community at one time? The Luftwaffe used them as interceptors for the defence of the Reich towards the end...I think...
21.03.2008, 17:15
Read the post mate.. His initial post said.. Oh never mind, it was all humour! :mrgreen:
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