5 Series Italian Fighters -- No Respect

[DAVIDICUS]

Macchi MC 205 Veltro - Became operational in June 1943

Fiat G55 Centauro - Became operational in September of 1943

Regianne RE 2005 Sagittario - Became operational in May of 1943

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Obviously, these fighters were produced in tiny quantities and saw very limited action. Italy was effectively out of the war when the other large allied and axis players were starting to refine and hone their fighters into really impressive machines.

At the point in the war when these aircraft came onto the scene, how do you think they compared with the best fighter aircraft of the U.S.A., Britain, Germany and Japan?

 

[cheddar cheese]

They compared extremely well...they could certainly compete with the other countries machinery at the time, and were probably better than them...they were certainly extremely capable aircraft 8)

 

[DAVIDICUS]

No one else interested in this topic? Like I said, the Italian fighters don't get any respect.

I understand that all three of these fighters were as good if not better than the vaunted P-51 in a dogfight and were better than the ME-109's and FW-190's of the same period.

 

[Udet]

Of course the topic can be interesting.

Particularly the Regianne RE 2005 was in fact a very interesting and totally capable design.

If i recall correctly only a fistful of the type got produced.

I do not think there is such a thing like no respect towards italian aircraft designs; the Regia Aeronautica as well spawned some superb pilots such as Adriano Visconti.

 

[cheddar cheese]

Adriano Visconti was a superb pilot. Something like 18 of his 26 kills were in the Macchi MC.200.

The late war Italian fighters were indeed superb. Like Udet said, the Re-2005 was particularly good.

I think only about 150 MC.205's were produced...but the served long after the war with several countries.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

and of those 150 how many saw combat??

 

[cheddar cheese]

All of em...

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

you're sure??

 

[cheddar cheese]

Yep...

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

all of them?? where did you get this little gem of info??

 

[cheddar cheese]

I cant remember...probably comandosupremo or such like

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

sorry but i'm a bit skeptical of that...............

 

[cheddar cheese]

I dont know why...

They werent all used by the Italians, some were used by the Luftwaffe as well...

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

well over a thousand Me-262s were produced, i read that only 300 actually saw service, my point is not all plane that are made see service.........

 

[cheddar cheese]

I know that, however all 150 or so MC.205's were made at about the same time, and this was 2 years prior to the wars end, so its quite concievable that the were all utilised...

And hell most of em survived the war too...

 

[kiwimac]

What can I say, I LIKE Italian aircraft. They were the japanese of Europe, their aircraft were underarmed but as manoeuverable as all hell. The MC200, f'r instance, had a better turning circle than ANY other european aircraft except for biplanes! The Fiat G.50 was about the same.

Italian bomber crews flew missions over England during the battle of Britain Fiat Biplanes flew with 'em!

Courage!

Kiwimac

 

[CharlesBronson]

Profiles Fiat G-55 y Mc-205 compilated in Word.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i thought the RA only launched one mission over england?? that's not courage to me.............

 

[cheddar cheese]

What can I say, I LIKE Italian aircraft. They were the japanese of Europe, their aircraft were underarmed but as manoeuverable as all hell. The MC200, f'r instance, had a better turning circle than ANY other european aircraft except for biplanes! The Fiat G.50 was about the same.

Italian bomber crews flew missions over England during the battle of Britain Fiat Biplanes flew with 'em!

Courage!

Kiwimac

Too damn right! 8) Italian planes were superb 8)

 

[KraziKanuK]

Don't forget the Italian torpedo bombers. They had good stats.

There was a combat test flight between a 109 and a Italian fighter and the Itie fighter gave it a tough time. (can't remember the details though)