Fiat G.55 Centauro
Fiat Aviazione · Italy · first flew 1942 · fighter
The Fiat G.55 Centauro was widely regarded as the finest Italian fighter of World War II, impressing even Luftwaffe evaluators who tested it against the Bf 109G and Fw 190A. Powered by the Daimler-Benz DB 605, it combined excellent speed with heavy armament.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.37 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Italian 'Serie 5' inline-engine fighter
- Daimler-Benz powered with long, elegant nose
- Regarded as best Italian fighter of WWII by Luftwaffe evaluators
A large, purposeful low-wing fighter with a long DB 605 nose, broader chord wing than the Bf 109, and a more robust overall appearance than its German contemporary.
Specifications
- The Fiat G.55 Centauro has a length of 9.37 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.85 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 623 km/h (387 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in April 1942, the G.55 entered limited service before Italy's armistice in 1943, with only around 30 completing before September 1943. After the armistice, production continued in German-controlled northern Italy for both the Italian Social Republic's air force and the Luftwaffe. The G.55 fought in the defence of Italy and demonstrated it was fully competitive with the best contemporary Allied fighters.
Variants
The G.55/I carried two 20 mm cannon and three machine guns; the G.55/II added heavier armament. The G.56 was a further development with a DB 603 engine.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Regia Aeronautica until September 1943, then by the Italian Social Republic's Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana and the Luftwaffe through 1944–1945.
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