Fiat G.50 Freccia
Fiat Aviazione · Italy · first flew 1937 · fighter
The Fiat G.50 Freccia (Arrow) was Italy's first all-metal single-seat monoplane fighter with retractable undercarriage, entering service in 1938. Though modern in concept, it was already being outclassed by contemporaries when World War II began.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.79 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Italy's first all-metal monoplane fighter with retractable undercarriage
- Radial engine with short cowling and open cockpit
- Low-wing monoplane, rounded wingtips
Distinguished from the C.200 by its slightly more rounded fuselage and different cowling profile — both are radial-engine low-wing Italian fighters but the G.50 is the slimmer, earlier design with an open cockpit in initial variants.
Specifications
- The Fiat G.50 Freccia has a length of 7.79 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.98 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 472 km/h (293 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in February 1937, the G.50 saw combat in the Spanish Civil War and later served in the early campaigns over France, Britain, Greece, and North Africa. Its open cockpit, light armament, and relatively modest performance limited its effectiveness, and it was progressively replaced by the Macchi C.200 and C.202. Finland operated the type with some success against Soviet aircraft.
Variants
The G.50 Mk I had an open cockpit; later versions adopted a sliding canopy. The G.50bis had aerodynamic refinements. Finland received the G.50 and operated them as the Freccia.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Regia Aeronautica throughout the early war years and with the Finnish Air Force, which flew them effectively in the Continuation War against the Soviet Union.
Related aircraft
- Fiat CR.25
- Fiat BR.20 Cicogna
- Fiat CR.42 Falco
- Fiat G.18
- Aichi E11A
- Arado Ar 196
- Arado Ar 197
- Bell YFM-1 Airacuda
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.