Book Review of
Fiat G.55 Centauro
Author: Anirudh Rae
Kagero Publishers
Top Drawings no. 2131
ISBN: 978-83-67294-06-5
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2022
MSRP: $21.95
Top Drawings no. 2131
ISBN: 978-83-67294-06-5
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2022
MSRP: $21.95
HISTORY:
The Fiat G.55 Centauro (Italian: "Centaur") was a single-engine single-seat World War II fighter aircraft used by the Regia Aeronautica and the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana in 1943–1945. It was designed and built in Turin by Fiat. The Fiat G.55 was arguably the best type produced in Italy during World War II, (a subjective claim also frequently made for the Macchi C.205 Veltro as well as for the Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario) but it did not enter production until 1943, when, after comparative tests against the Messerschmitt Bf 109G and the Focke-Wulf 190, the Luftwaffe itself regarded the Fiat G.55 as "the best Axis fighter".
During its short operational service, mostly under the Repubblica Sociale Italiana insignia, after the 8 September 1943 armistice, this powerful, robust and fast aircraft proved itself to be an excellent interceptor at high altitude. In 1944, over Northern Italy, the Centauro clashed with British Supermarine Spitfire, P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt and P-38 Lightning, proving to be no easy adversary. Italian fighter pilots liked their Centauro but by the time the war ended, fewer than 300 had been built. By comparison, the Germans produced 35,000 Bf 109s.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Specifications (G.55/I)
Crew: One
Length: 9.37 m (30 ft 9 in)
Wingspan: 11.85 m (38 ft 11 in)
Height: 3.13 m (10 ft 3 in) excluding radio antenna mast
Wing area: 21.11 m2 (227.2 sq ft)
Airfoil: root: NACA 2415; tip: NACA 2409[28]
Empty weight: 2,630 kg (5,798 lb)
Gross weight: 3,520 kg (7,760 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 3,718 kg (8,197 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Fiat RA.1050 R.C.58 Tifone V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engine, 1,085 kW (1,455 hp) (license-built Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1)
Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller
Maximum speed: 623 km/h (387 mph, 336 kn)
Range: 1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi)
Ferry range: 1,650 km (1,030 mi, 890 nmi) with 2 x 100 L (26 US gal; 22 imp gal) drop-tanks
Service ceiling: 12,750 m (41,830 ft)
Time to altitude: 6,000 m (19,685 ft) in 5 minutes 50 seconds, 7,000 m (22,966 ft) in 8 minutes 34 seconds
Wing loading: 154 kg/m2 (32 lb/sq ft)
Power/mass: 0.308 kW/kg (0.187 hp/lb)
Armament:
G.55 Serie 0:
1 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Mauser MG 151/20 cannon, engine-mounted (250 rounds),4 × 12.7 mm (0.5 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns, two in the upper engine cowling, two in the lower cowling/wing roots (300 rpg)
G.55 Serie I:
3 × 20 mm (0.79 in) MG 151/20s, one engine-mounted (250 rounds) and two wing-mounted (200 rpg), 2 × 12.7 mm (0.5 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns in the upper engine cowling (300 rpg), Provision for 2 × 160 kg (350 lb) bombs on underwing racks (N.B. Egyptian and Syrian aircraft used machine guns in the wings instead of cannon).
The Fiat G.55 Centauro (Italian: "Centaur") was a single-engine single-seat World War II fighter aircraft used by the Regia Aeronautica and the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana in 1943–1945. It was designed and built in Turin by Fiat. The Fiat G.55 was arguably the best type produced in Italy during World War II, (a subjective claim also frequently made for the Macchi C.205 Veltro as well as for the Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario) but it did not enter production until 1943, when, after comparative tests against the Messerschmitt Bf 109G and the Focke-Wulf 190, the Luftwaffe itself regarded the Fiat G.55 as "the best Axis fighter".
During its short operational service, mostly under the Repubblica Sociale Italiana insignia, after the 8 September 1943 armistice, this powerful, robust and fast aircraft proved itself to be an excellent interceptor at high altitude. In 1944, over Northern Italy, the Centauro clashed with British Supermarine Spitfire, P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt and P-38 Lightning, proving to be no easy adversary. Italian fighter pilots liked their Centauro but by the time the war ended, fewer than 300 had been built. By comparison, the Germans produced 35,000 Bf 109s.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Specifications (G.55/I)
Crew: One
Length: 9.37 m (30 ft 9 in)
Wingspan: 11.85 m (38 ft 11 in)
Height: 3.13 m (10 ft 3 in) excluding radio antenna mast
Wing area: 21.11 m2 (227.2 sq ft)
Airfoil: root: NACA 2415; tip: NACA 2409[28]
Empty weight: 2,630 kg (5,798 lb)
Gross weight: 3,520 kg (7,760 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 3,718 kg (8,197 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Fiat RA.1050 R.C.58 Tifone V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engine, 1,085 kW (1,455 hp) (license-built Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1)
Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller
Maximum speed: 623 km/h (387 mph, 336 kn)
Range: 1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi)
Ferry range: 1,650 km (1,030 mi, 890 nmi) with 2 x 100 L (26 US gal; 22 imp gal) drop-tanks
Service ceiling: 12,750 m (41,830 ft)
Time to altitude: 6,000 m (19,685 ft) in 5 minutes 50 seconds, 7,000 m (22,966 ft) in 8 minutes 34 seconds
Wing loading: 154 kg/m2 (32 lb/sq ft)
Power/mass: 0.308 kW/kg (0.187 hp/lb)
Armament:
G.55 Serie 0:
1 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Mauser MG 151/20 cannon, engine-mounted (250 rounds),4 × 12.7 mm (0.5 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns, two in the upper engine cowling, two in the lower cowling/wing roots (300 rpg)
G.55 Serie I:
3 × 20 mm (0.79 in) MG 151/20s, one engine-mounted (250 rounds) and two wing-mounted (200 rpg), 2 × 12.7 mm (0.5 in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns in the upper engine cowling (300 rpg), Provision for 2 × 160 kg (350 lb) bombs on underwing racks (N.B. Egyptian and Syrian aircraft used machine guns in the wings instead of cannon).
THE BOOK:
Kagero Publishers is based in Lublin, Poland. Their books are done in both Polish and English. This book is in both languages.
The book is of soft-cover of 10 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format. It comes in a clear self-sealing plastic cello envelope.
Kagero Publishers is based in Lublin, Poland. Their books are done in both Polish and English. This book is in both languages.
The book is of soft-cover of 10 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format. It comes in a clear self-sealing plastic cello envelope.
Inserted into the book is a line drawing blueprint of the G.55, that is 27 1/4" x 18 1/2" and is folded 4 times to fit the book. One side has four side-views, a front and rear view, a top view, two bottom views and the wheels in 1/48th scale, The reverse side has 4 side-view line drawings, cowling and front view, weapons and interior fuselage bulkheads, in 1/72nd scale.
The cover art shows 2 color side profile illustrations of the G.55, that are repeated again in the book.
The one at the top is dark-earth and mid-stone wave-pattern camouflage over an azure undercarriage, with a white propeller spinner. It has a wide white fuselage band in front of the rudder. A red and white roundel with a white half-moon and stars on the center and a Syrian flag is on the rudder that is divided into red, white and red vertical stripes.
The aircraft was with the Royal Egyptian Air Force (REAF), 5th Squadron. The G.55A’s were delivered to Egypt in October 1948 and were deployed at Almaza Egyption Air Base, that became their main operational air base. In December 1948, they were enlisted in the 5th Squadron and shortly after they took part in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
This side profile is repeated again in the book.
The G.55 at the bottom is dark-olive over an azure undercarriage. It has a black and white spiral on the prop spinner. A bare metal panel on the side of the nose. A large blue number 2, outlined in white, followed by the Italian fascist flag on its fuselage sides. The flag repeated smaller on the rudder, with PaV Kg 2730 in small yellow lettering below it. Just in front of the rudder, on the fuselage sides, in yellow lettering, it says “CENTAURO” over SERIE 1 over SOTTOCENERE 0 over M.M. 91304 in small yellow lettering.
This aircraft is repeated again in the book as a 4 view, that shows different Italian AF fascist insignias on the wing tops and bottoms. These are white squares, outline in black with 2 black axes on them.
The aircraft was with 2nd Squadriglia, 2nd Gruppo ANR, Casina Vega, May 1944.
The book begins with a short history of the G.55. Followed by 10 line-drawing profiles of the aircraft and its landing gear.
There are 5 color profile illustrations of G.55’s in the center of the book. Four are side-views and one is a 5-view of the Italian one that is shown on the cover art (already described above).
The first side-view is overall dark-green over an azure light-grey undercarriage. It has a black spinner, a skeletal German cross on its fuselage sides and black and white ones on the wing tops and bottoms, and a large white outlined swastika on the rudder sides. It is one of the first Fiat G.56 prototypes (serial no. MM 5361), March 1944. It was armed with three 20mm MG 151/20 cannons. Its performance was superb.
Next is the Royal Egyptian G.55, it is shown on the cover art (already described above).
Next is the Italian one that is on the cover art (also already described above).
Next is a side profile of a G.55A belonging to the Syrian AF (SAF), Demasco 1948. Syria bought 14 G.55s from Italy, they were delivered between January and September 1949 and were deployed to Aleppo Air Base. The Syrian roundel was on six positions and the Syrian flag was on the rudder. Aircraft was in a wave-pattern camouflage of sand and green, over an azure undercarriage and with a white spinner.
Next is a side profile of a G.55A belonging to the Argentine AF (AAF), Grupo I de la Aggrupation Aérea de Comble. El Plumerillo Air Base (Mendoza) March 1952. Argentina purchased 30 G.55A’s and 11 G.55B’s from Italy, arriving the first 5 to Buenos Aires by sea in June 1947. At the beginning the Fiat G.55 was deployed in Grupo I de la Aggrupation Aerea de Combate. Then, in February 1948 to the Regimente 2 de Casa (2nd Fighter Regiment). The aircraft was painted overall silver with a black anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen and a black spinner. Argentine AF roundels in 6 positions. Black serial no. C-26 after the roundels on the fuselage sides and under the wings. Argentine flag on rudder.
The one at the top is dark-earth and mid-stone wave-pattern camouflage over an azure undercarriage, with a white propeller spinner. It has a wide white fuselage band in front of the rudder. A red and white roundel with a white half-moon and stars on the center and a Syrian flag is on the rudder that is divided into red, white and red vertical stripes.
The aircraft was with the Royal Egyptian Air Force (REAF), 5th Squadron. The G.55A’s were delivered to Egypt in October 1948 and were deployed at Almaza Egyption Air Base, that became their main operational air base. In December 1948, they were enlisted in the 5th Squadron and shortly after they took part in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
This side profile is repeated again in the book.
The G.55 at the bottom is dark-olive over an azure undercarriage. It has a black and white spiral on the prop spinner. A bare metal panel on the side of the nose. A large blue number 2, outlined in white, followed by the Italian fascist flag on its fuselage sides. The flag repeated smaller on the rudder, with PaV Kg 2730 in small yellow lettering below it. Just in front of the rudder, on the fuselage sides, in yellow lettering, it says “CENTAURO” over SERIE 1 over SOTTOCENERE 0 over M.M. 91304 in small yellow lettering.
This aircraft is repeated again in the book as a 4 view, that shows different Italian AF fascist insignias on the wing tops and bottoms. These are white squares, outline in black with 2 black axes on them.
The aircraft was with 2nd Squadriglia, 2nd Gruppo ANR, Casina Vega, May 1944.
The book begins with a short history of the G.55. Followed by 10 line-drawing profiles of the aircraft and its landing gear.
There are 5 color profile illustrations of G.55’s in the center of the book. Four are side-views and one is a 5-view of the Italian one that is shown on the cover art (already described above).
The first side-view is overall dark-green over an azure light-grey undercarriage. It has a black spinner, a skeletal German cross on its fuselage sides and black and white ones on the wing tops and bottoms, and a large white outlined swastika on the rudder sides. It is one of the first Fiat G.56 prototypes (serial no. MM 5361), March 1944. It was armed with three 20mm MG 151/20 cannons. Its performance was superb.
Next is the Royal Egyptian G.55, it is shown on the cover art (already described above).
Next is the Italian one that is on the cover art (also already described above).
Next is a side profile of a G.55A belonging to the Syrian AF (SAF), Demasco 1948. Syria bought 14 G.55s from Italy, they were delivered between January and September 1949 and were deployed to Aleppo Air Base. The Syrian roundel was on six positions and the Syrian flag was on the rudder. Aircraft was in a wave-pattern camouflage of sand and green, over an azure undercarriage and with a white spinner.
Next is a side profile of a G.55A belonging to the Argentine AF (AAF), Grupo I de la Aggrupation Aérea de Comble. El Plumerillo Air Base (Mendoza) March 1952. Argentina purchased 30 G.55A’s and 11 G.55B’s from Italy, arriving the first 5 to Buenos Aires by sea in June 1947. At the beginning the Fiat G.55 was deployed in Grupo I de la Aggrupation Aerea de Combate. Then, in February 1948 to the Regimente 2 de Casa (2nd Fighter Regiment). The aircraft was painted overall silver with a black anti-glare panel in front of the windscreen and a black spinner. Argentine AF roundels in 6 positions. Black serial no. C-26 after the roundels on the fuselage sides and under the wings. Argentine flag on rudder.
The next 8 pages show 1/72nd scale line drawing profiles of the G.55, its weapons, inner-fuselage bulkheads, drop tank and bomb and rudder flap variants.
The back cover shows a 2-view, that is each side of a G.55 with the Italian AF.
It has a black spines over a spotted mottle camouflage of black spots on bare metal, included on the spinners and rudders an a yellow panel under the nose. There is an illustration of a red circle, outlined in white, with a yellow devil on it on the sides of the nose. Yellow fuselage no. 5 followed by an Italian flag and the flag repeated smaller on the rudder sides.
It was with 2nd Squadriglia, 2nd Gruppo ANR, Cascina Vega, May 1944.
This is a neat book about the Fiat G.55. It will be of great interest to modelers planning on building one of this aircraft and to aviation historians alike.
I sincerely wish to thank Casemate Publishers for this review sample. Casemate is the N. American distributor of Kagero Books and all Kagero titles can be viewed on Casemates' website at:
The back cover shows a 2-view, that is each side of a G.55 with the Italian AF.
It has a black spines over a spotted mottle camouflage of black spots on bare metal, included on the spinners and rudders an a yellow panel under the nose. There is an illustration of a red circle, outlined in white, with a yellow devil on it on the sides of the nose. Yellow fuselage no. 5 followed by an Italian flag and the flag repeated smaller on the rudder sides.
It was with 2nd Squadriglia, 2nd Gruppo ANR, Cascina Vega, May 1944.
This is a neat book about the Fiat G.55. It will be of great interest to modelers planning on building one of this aircraft and to aviation historians alike.
I sincerely wish to thank Casemate Publishers for this review sample. Casemate is the N. American distributor of Kagero Books and all Kagero titles can be viewed on Casemates' website at:
Highly recommended.