This is the last episode from my trip to the Italian Aviation Museum and (even better) the last video without my new microphone. Except way better audio in the future :) Big thank you to my Patreons for helping me finance new equipment!!! > www.patreon.com/Bismarck
Bismarck - Military Aviation History Bismarck, it's accept. Pardon your lack of english knowledge. Keep up the good work. Edit: 2nd of June 2020- Idk why I posted this comment but I'll leave it here, sorry Bis for acting like a brat and anyone who comes across this comment
The big three Italian fighters were works of art! Beautiful even when standing still. The Reggiane just looked like an art-deco masterpiece . What else would you expect from the Italians?
Not exactly, sir. The Re2005 had the wing plant design quite similar to the Republic aircrafts. In my opinion that fighter was the most advanced among engine prop. fighters of Axis. Of course, we had no possibility to produce them in significant numbers. That is all. Greetings from Italy. Bye.
@@vincenzodimattia3710 I really like the MC 202 / 205 but everyone talks about the G55 and Re2005... was the MC205 so much inferior? Also those three looks quite similar not copys but have some common design i feel, especialy if i look at the canopy.
@@ZunaZurugi Good morning, friend. May I ask where are you from? Yes, the design of those three hunters was similar enough. And it's true there weren't many differences amongst them. With that formula wasn't possible to do anything else. In addiction, the Italian manifacturing system wasn't ready or capable to furnish a large number of aircrafts.
I don't have enough kind words to say about Italian aircraft from that era in history. Some of the most beautiful and elegant designs ever, they just reek of Speed and Agility.
@@antaridae A BIG JOKE! A stock $60K Corvette can blow the doors off most of them and Corvettes rarely break. German and Italian engineering is a joke. If Toyota built a super car is would bury the German and Italian junk. German engineering was a myth then and it's a myth now. Yankee ingenuity and Japanese honor and diligence beats German incompetent over-engineering and Italian flair every time. Keep in mind, BMW means Big Money Wasted, Buy More Warranty and Bavarian Murder Weapon Fiat means, Fix It Again Tony. The rest of the Italian cars are over priced junk. Real men bang the wives of the wimps who drive super cars.
February 1943 competition in a few words Bf109 : I'm the best fighter of the axis FW190: No i'm the best fighter of the axis the bullied guy in the angle(G.55): Hold my grappa.
Wow, I'm so glad I found this video! I've been a military aviation enthusiast (and former US Air Force airman) all my life. As an American, I actually know about the MC 202/205, Re 2005 and the Fiat G55 and I love them all. Not to mention the DB 601 and 605 engines. Thank you for this informative video. I would love to visit this museum one day!
Setting aside the political decisions of their leaders (though I suppose that's symptomatic) if the Italians could have gotten out of their own way just think what could have been in so many arenas.
I heard a rumor that Kurt Tank said that the G.55 was the best Axis prop fighter of the war. If he did, that's real praise. I know the German test pilots like it.
Mikhailia Gacesa very similar to American fighter P- 39 HITLER was a buffoon. Germany was being assailed by many bombers at least twice a week. He wants to use the new jet fighter as a bomber.
Mikhailia Gacesa what was the American fighter very similar to this one. P-39 ? Aerodynamics by BELL AIR CRAFT: Spendid, was listening to one on UA-cam. Little plane scared the bejesus out of me. Unbelievable power coming out of that little plane
@@davidvance6367 The P-39's only issue was that it was optimised for Low-Altitude dogfights which rarely if ever happened on the Western Front, so the USAAF disliked it for its lacklustre performance at altitude that combat took place. On the other hand the Soviets adored it. On the Eastern Front all Dogfights took place below 4km since rather than Bomber Hunting/Escorting most of the air war was covering/intercepting CAS at low altitude. P-39's in Soviet service shredded 109's and 190's, the top Soviet aces all scored the most shootdowns in P-39's.
@@davidvance6367 That's a historical lie .Hitler was told the Me 262 could be a fighter bomber & needed one to penetrate Allied defense by speed alone ,for D- Day .Every 5 was committed to fighter defense. Germany needs offense .
14:40 there is an error: Gabrielli did not simply put a DB605 on the G50! This is true to some extent for the MC200/202/205, (and many planes are direct conversion of older models) but the G55 is a completely new airframe, which may bring some resemblance with the older one but only superficially. Aerodynamically it was the best of the 3, needing virtually no trim at any height and any speed. It was also the simpler (by far) to build and could withstand easily the massive DB603 improving performances without forsaking it's virtues (as Kurt Tank assessed when he flew the prototype at Guidonia). This could not be attained with an old and flawed design like the G50 Freccia. RE. 2005 flew wonderfully but the tail assembly was flawed and in time could become a concern for durability and resistence to damage.
Great video and thanks for giving respect to the Italian aviation industry. I have talked to many pilots here in Italy from WW-II (ANR timeframe), and some preferred the G.55, while others liked the MC.205. The very few who I spoke to who flew the Re.2005 felt it was the most maneuverable. And I will add that they all absolutely loved the 109G-6 because it was great fighter with some pilots preferring it over their own. But that is only their personal feeling and opinion. Thanks for the great video.
One other fact about the G-55 -- It is the most Beautiful piston engined fighter plane ever built! Magnificent! Perhaps the Macchi 202 and 205 come close, but this was a masterpiece! Worthy of Michaelangelo!!!!
@Hog Nutz The G.55 subpar? It was considered the best axis fighter by the german test pilots! It was better than a contemporary 109, but way more complex to produce
@Hog Nutz The Centauro had almost double the firepower of a BF 109! And the range didn't really matter considering it was built mainly to intercept bombers! And if i recall correctly it had a superior range than a 109 anyway! What are you talking about?
@Hog Nutz BF 109 G-6 (contemporary to the G.55 Serie 1): 2 x 13 mm MG 131 machine guns and one 20 mm MG 151 cannon. Range: 560 km without fuel tanks. G.55 Serie 1 (production version): 2 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun and 3 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons. Range: 1200 km Read the reports by Petersen, Milch, Galland and Tank: they even convinced Goring to start production in Germany
@Hog Nutz Also every German pilot that tested it noted that while being heavily armed, it handled better than the contemporary variant of the 109 and the 190 at every altitude!
@Hog Nutz the gross weight of a 109 G-6 was around 3140 kg G.55 Serie 1: around 3,520 kg Where did you get your information? I'm genuinely curious, you seem to be quite confused about this machine. I used to work at the Museo Storico A.M. of Vigna di Valle (the one in the video), so i'm familiar with those peculiar planes
I live in Rome so I visited the museum in many occasions. You quoted the Reggiane planes and, while the museum in Vigna di Valle has in his collection this Fiat and three Macchi, there are no surviving Reggiane today as far as I known. For example, of the 30 produced Re2005 Sagittario, the only thing that survived is a part of the tail section of one of these planes that is on display at the Museo dell'Aeronautica Giovanni Caproni in Trento.
What's sad is that some Re.2001 survived the war, and a couple had been used for some year by the metereological service of the Aeronautica Militare, but after that they had been simply scrapped. At the time preservation was not a thing (even the race plane Macchi M39 currently on display had been recovered in a ditch years later).
I was making a search about it on internet and I actually found that there is a surviving Reggiane 2000 in Sweden, at the Swedish Air Force Museum in Linkoping with Swedish markings. Some Reggiane were actually exported to Sweden and Hungary. There is also a Reggiane 2002 (without wings and engine) with German insignia at the Musee de la Resistance in Limoges (France). Another part of a Re2002 is at the Volandia Museum. In 2013 a Re2000 was raised from the bottom of the sea in Portovenere and will be restored by the Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica.
Dovrebbero aver restaurato un Reggiane 2001, non so se sta già in esposizione. L'ultima volta ho visto che avevano hai posizionato il carrello retrattile, ma mancava ancora il mezzo
@@emmedigi89 I am counting two Re 2000, a complete one in Sweden and fuselage in Italy and said to be under restoration. I count one Re 2001, which is the corroded example raised from saltwater. I see two Re 2002, both just fuselages--one in France and one in Italy under restoration. There is one Re 2005 in Italy and it is just a partial fuselage.
@@FiveCentsPlease yes, you are actually right. The restoration of the Italian Reggiane has been completed few months ago and it is now on display at the Italian Air Force museum
This is one of the most well-presented and informative documentaries that I've had the pleasure to view. You are most knowledgeable and it's obvious. Thank you. Please continue doing what you do. It is a great contribution to aviation history even if some viewers have no clue of that fact.
These comments got a laugh out of me. Germans and Swiss battling it out for over-engineer of the year award. They even have a name for it in watch-making: complications. Meanwhile the Italians go home for lunch, and wine and maybe start back later, maybe not. Civilised people those Italians.
@@ThreenaddiesRexMegistus Panther and Tiger: Good quality because they don't break down. T34 and Sherman: Good quality because they are easy to repair.
@@asmundukkelberg8741 The Panther and Tiger especially were renowned for mechanical unreliability. It’s actually been estimated that more Tigers were lost to mechanical issues and wear than Allied guns.
Enjoyed my visit to this unique museum back in the 1980s, particularly for it's tri-motors and Schneider Cup machines. The Cant Z.506 S Airone is a wonder to behold (a childhood favourite). Looks as though the collection has more than doubled. The site itself is of great historical significance. Thanks for your videos of Museo storico dell'Aeronautica Militare di Vigna di Valle. Bravo!
The biggest mistake for Italy was, being blinded by the success of Spanish Civil War. They thought their air force to be competitive and not to modernize and revolution italian aircraft. The Fiat g55 was true competitive in the time back then. But if you imagine, that equal planes were built by the allies 1, 2 years earlier and Germany even sent the me262 to service, the g55 would have been already obsolete by the end of war. The jet era was coming. So the Italians, in development and production capacity were like 10 years behind the others in relation to those 2 years in war where technology was evolving rapidly.
@@italianoetnico.calabreseve9262 In short, yes, although it was a deep rooted problem. This particular situation was caused by years of negligence and corruption by the government, to the point where having all three of FIAT, Aeronautica Macchi and Reggiane OMI building their own aircraft would take less time and resources than providing each manifacturer with the machinery and know-how to all build the best one out of the serie V fighters. This whole system was as dysfunctional as it could be, although it did cast some very beautiful airplanes in the process.
Thanks for doing that. I used to pooh-pooh the WWII Italian fighter planes and pilots until I read the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces #34, Italian Aces of World War 2 book by Giovanni Massimello and Giorgio Apostolo. I really wish Wings had done a special on Italian planes and aces of WWII.
Great video Bismarck. Salute from Rome. I was there (probably my 20th time...) just 2 weeks ago. Now they put on display a most beautiful Reggiane Re.2002, finally the first Reggiane in the museum.
Thanks for creating & posting this video, Bismarck. It's always nice to see something on the Italian Serie-5 fighters, which are overlooked in aviation history. They were all beautiful places, especially the Centauro and Sagittario, with performance to match. I also liked your video on the SM 79. When I was in Rome a couple of years back, I tried to make it out to Bracciano but my wife wasn't having it. Next time. Keep up the good work!
I'd like just to add why Italy put into into production all three Serie 5. G.55: it was the of the competion and the easiest to produce, while also being the sturdier of the three and better diver. M.C. 205: While it lacked the high altitude performance required for a Serie 5, it was literally a 202 with the DB605 and slightly different wing, it could be put into production immediatly and the old 202s could be easily converted to 205. RE 2005: It was told to the Reggiane to start retooling to produce G.55, but that would have took time and machinery which weren't avaible, so they ordered a small batch of REs because little was better than nothing.
Spot on. Add that the Re.2005 had been already selected as the replacement of the Re.2001 as embarked fighter-bomber on the carrier Aquila (since the Re. 2005 could carry a torpedo from the start).
@@giulianoilfilosofo7927 Not really corruption, more like that the hrad industries had too much power on the fascist regime, you could call it corruption but it was just how the regime worked
Good video! The G55 was the winner of the selection, but the C.205 was readily available (it was already in production infact) cause it was simply a C.202 with a "plug & play" DB605 engine in it, while the other two required time to start production, so there was no point in not producing it. For the Reggiane instead was easier to start producing the Re.2005 than retooling to produce the G.55, and the Re.2005 had been already selected to be the "second generation" fighter-bomber of the carrier Aquila after the Re.2001 (the Re.2005 could carry a torpedo from the start, thanks to the offset 1000kg hardpoint).
I sure enjoy all your videos! You provide some excellent detailed information in all of them, far better and more intriguing than most other channels, and often covering topics that are not available anywhere else. Congratulations and thanks very much. Keep up the good work!
Because I don't find it surprising that he might go to an Italian aviation museum to see what must be a pretty rare Italian aircraft I know you were just joking around though. No big deal.
If you ever get to travel to Austin Tx look me up. I am a pilot and a gunsmith. As well my father flew fighters with the 15th, 333. He flew spit V-1X and p15bc. All 3 types in one two week period during transition to the p51. I have many firearms to try including a 50bmg rifle. I am the guy who disputed your he 111 swiss shoot down analysis. I know I have seen that exact photo you used but it was in France 1939. I had a flood in 2014 and lost many books. BTW America is a unreal place to find many books cheap you would love in used book stores. Just purchased a swiss m41 sniper rifle. Still shoots .5 MOA after 70 years and held it's zero since last used. Took two rounds to sight it in. Fan boy of your culture and engineering. Cheers from Texas
My uncles used to run an hotel in Rimini so i'm used at hearing funny german pronounciation of italian names! 🤣😂Jokes aside, pretty nice video, Chris! Thank you! I would have liked to watch an "inside the cockpit" video of this beautiful bird...
The plane you see at museum isn't a real G55. It's the result of a reconstruction started from a Fiat G59, which was later produced and equipped with the Rolls Royce Merlin instead of the DB 605 originally mounted on the G55. Unfortunately, no one of the G55 survived either WWII nor the events that followed after. It's a shame that no one can admire anymore one of the starring fighter plane that played a role in the WWII but, anyway, it is the only one that looks alike very closely. The livery and marks are from the "Squadriglia Complementare d'Allarme Montefusco Bonet" and was accurately reproducted under instruction of the Ufficio Storico of Stato Maggiore Aeronautica. A very good fighter that was made too late. I've appreciated the effort and the willing to drag this story to light.
there's a pretty interesting collection in the Aviation Museum of Ottawa, Ontario. Seen a M262, the Komet, plenty axis ww2 fighters and bombers. however the first 2 I mentioned were an amazing view, and what a design masterpiece of engineering it was for its time, still blows your mind.
just a bit of aviation nitpicking, the G55 design was NOT based on the G50 as he says at the beginning, this statement might have been originated by the english version of the Wikipedia article, not sure about the sources used, but if you read the italian version it says very clearly that it is an entirely new design and anyone that knows the shape of the G50 fuselage knows what i’m talking about, the commonality is restricted to the shape of the tail empennage shape quite a common practice since WWI
@@carta8399 ho migliorato la conoscenza personale di questo velivolo,facile da produrre rispetto al macchi 205 certamente,ma mai sotto questo aspetto rispetto ai bf109,anche lo spitfire era molto difficile da produrre e quindi costosissimi,aggiungo qui quanto ho appreso da wikipedia : "Lo impiegammo in combattimento due o tre volte per intercettare i bombardieri alleati che attaccavano le città del nord Italia, ed in tale ruolo si comportò abbastanza bene. Aveva un'ottima maneggevolezza, una eccellente stabilità e un potente armamento. Il discorso variava se però ai bombardieri si sostituivano i caccia alleati fosse anche il pur pesante e poco agile Lightning P.38. Infatti, oltre i 3.000 m. il G.55 accusava la sua pesantezza d'ali e la mancanza di una adeguata potenza surplus del motore in rapporto al peso del velivolo, che lo trasformava in un caccia di media classe e come tale non particolarmente competitivo al confronto con il mediocre ma potente e veloce P.38, con il massiccio ma rapido ed esuberante P.47 e con il velocissimo, agile e poderoso P.51. Il velivolo risentiva, come tutti i caccia italiani dei difetti e dei pregi che essi avevano in comune: buona maneggevolezza, brillante predisposizione acrobatica, splendida linea aerodinamica che si contrapponevano alla limitata consistenza operativa per il quasi completo sfruttamento della potenza motrice disponibile, per la costituzione non particolarmente robusta ad un prolungato sforzo d'impiego, per le difficoltà di manutenzione, per la scarsa efficienza del sistema d'armamento causa di numerosi inceppamenti, per l'insufficienza degli apparati di puntamento per il tiro, per il discontinuo rendimento dei collegamenti radio, tutti elementi che avevano la loro importanza nel combattimento e contribuivano in misura determinante a stabilire il reale valore combattivo di un caccia. Se venivano a mancare tali caratteristiche, il caccia non poteva più configurarsi in modo esatto come tale, poiché era più rispondente ad un veloce aeroplano da turismo, acrobatico, esuberante come potenza e consumo, ed eccessivo sicuramente come prestazioni fornite. Non vorrei essere tacciato di pessimismo, ma le mie convinzioni sono maturate progressivamente allorché all'esperienza entusiasmante ed indimenticabile fatta in guerra col Messerschmitt, ho aggiunto nel dopoguerra, la conoscenza ancor più incisiva e traumatizzante del Thunderbolt e del Mustang che più volte avevo affrontato, combattuto e vinto
@@carta8399 ho migliorato le mie conoscenze sul g55 liberandomi del tanto di propaganda fiat ,era piu facile che rispetto al mc205 o allo spitfire produrlo ma un disastro rispetto ai tipi tedeschi e poi prestazionalmente non era un gran che,aggiungo questo ritratto che ne fece un pilota tratto da wikipedia : "Lo impiegammo in combattimento due o tre volte per intercettare i bombardieri alleati che attaccavano le città del nord Italia, ed in tale ruolo si comportò abbastanza bene. Aveva un'ottima maneggevolezza, una eccellente stabilità e un potente armamento. Il discorso variava se però ai bombardieri si sostituivano i caccia alleati fosse anche il pur pesante e poco agile Lightning P.38. Infatti, oltre i 3.000 m. il G.55 accusava la sua pesantezza d'ali e la mancanza di una adeguata potenza surplus del motore in rapporto al peso del velivolo, che lo trasformava in un caccia di media classe e come tale non particolarmente competitivo al confronto con il mediocre ma potente e veloce P.38, con il massiccio ma rapido ed esuberante P.47 e con il velocissimo, agile e poderoso P.51. Il velivolo risentiva, come tutti i caccia italiani dei difetti e dei pregi che essi avevano in comune: buona maneggevolezza, brillante predisposizione acrobatica, splendida linea aerodinamica che si contrapponevano alla limitata consistenza operativa per il quasi completo sfruttamento della potenza motrice disponibile, per la costituzione non particolarmente robusta ad un prolungato sforzo d'impiego, per le difficoltà di manutenzione, per la scarsa efficienza del sistema d'armamento causa di numerosi inceppamenti, per l'insufficienza degli apparati di puntamento per il tiro, per il discontinuo rendimento dei collegamenti radio, tutti elementi che avevano la loro importanza nel combattimento e contribuivano in misura determinante a stabilire il reale valore combattivo di un caccia. Se venivano a mancare tali caratteristiche, il caccia non poteva più configurarsi in modo esatto come tale, poiché era più rispondente ad un veloce aeroplano da turismo, acrobatico, esuberante come potenza e consumo, ed eccessivo sicuramente come prestazioni fornite. Non vorrei essere tacciato di pessimismo, ma le mie convinzioni sono maturate progressivamente allorché all'esperienza entusiasmante ed indimenticabile fatta in guerra col Messerschmitt, ho aggiunto nel dopoguerra, la conoscenza ancor più incisiva e traumatizzante del Thunderbolt e del Mustang che più volte avevo affrontato, combattuto e vinto
@@sonoitalianoful Sì, un ottimo aereo se inserito nel contesto dei velivoli italiani, non top di gamma per il suo tempo di certo, e comunque difficile da produrre e costoso insomma
Too bad for them their pilots weren't as good at flying them as the Germans or the British. The North Africa-Mediterranean campaign might have had a very different ending.
@@user-kk6yg7ds9z RAF pilots reported that Italian fighter pilots liked to "mix it up" rather than sty in formation like the Germans, which made it easier for the British to handle them.
A very interesting Italian designed and made fighter plane !!!! I have been in that Milittary Museum near Bracciano .... when I lived in Rome (1987-1989). I remember, that to go there that time was a bit complicated. I had to take a local train (to Viterbo?), and from Stazione ... I had to walk a distance. Oh, well .... I also was carrying on my back my little new born son, Peter. I remember, that I took some photos inside, and outside of the Museum of the different Italian made airplanes. For me it was a great pleasure of being there, but NOT for my wife (at that time) ..... and that is pretty understandable :o))
Been there, the one in Hendon. There are so many planes you can only wathc them for some seconds each and still the visit will be hours long. Also there is the WWI planes collection, which is incredibly well preserved. Only one hour on the train from london.
drott150 Ive never had to. And if i lived in america it's very likely that I wouldnt be able to walk. I don't know what it is with Americans. Anyone would think that looking after people is a bad thing!!
Little side note to add, the version of the G.55 with the DB 603 was called the G.56 and it had the 2 bredda machine guns removed but kept the 3 20mm MG 151s.
I heard even the Brits considered this to be "quite an AWESOME" plane - and they knew what were they talking about - I mean - by that time they already had their EXCELLENT Spitfire's that dominated the skies.
The production of italian airplanes was so low during the war. Factories were all destroyed. This airplane hed been refitted starting from a Fiat G 59 with Rolls Royce Merlin, because the genuine Fiat G 55 were all destroyed or captured by Luftwaffe and lost in action.
Brilliant historic video, thank you for showing and uploading this content, great to see a g55 for real, is it one of the italian or axis produced or replica?
George Honk, yours is typical Anglo arrogance. Please explain how much better the overrated Spitfire was in all aspects of performance vis a vis the Sagitario.
The Sagittario was an astonishing plane, but were built in so few numbers that have no operational influence with the exception of some test flights over Naples, when a single B24 was heavily dmaged and, perhaps, shot down. That's all . Spitfire Mk XIV never saw combat over Italy, and was very faster than the Sagittario, both in horizontal flight and in climbing. Measures don't lie.
I went to Vigna di Valle years ago (used to be free entry - my kinda price!) and it had an unusual collection of aircraft. It's an aerodrome...but where's the runway? And it's next to a great big lake. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. Seaplanes. Loads of them. Pre WW2 stuff. Also hydrofoils. If you're in Rome it's less than an hours drive away and it's cooler - much cheaper than tourist prices in Rome - relaxed etc. Well worth a visit.
Ι have a question. The Fascist Italian air force ANR used a mix of Bf 109s, Mc202s G55s, until the infamous incident when the Germans decided to forcefully incorporate the Italian pilots into the Luftwaffe. The Italians protested, and the whole ANR was out of action for I think a couple of months. When things were resolved and the Italians units returned to action, (early 1945? going from memory) they were all equipped with Bf-109. Was this simply a matter of streamlining logistics by standardizing equipment?
In April 1944 both the Fiat and Macchi factories were bombed and destroyed, so from that point onwards production of 5 series fighters and their spare parts became impossible so the 109 became the only option.
The ANR pilots used only "5 series" fighters (only a pair of Re.2005 actually) and Bf109g and k. The production of G.55 was officially stopped in september 1944, but it never completely ended (at the end of the war there were completed aircrafts in the FIAT plant. Simply, if they did not produced them, they had not other things to do). Obviously, for the Germans, it was easier to divert all the resources to the German plants, even at the cost to lose the manufacturing capability of FIAT than to spend resources to surveil another production line.
Wouah! Ok! Today, I really learned somthing new! I would had never thought for a single second that Germany would have an any interest at all for any Italian equipement at all! (because of Italiy's tanks VS German's ones!) Thank you for this awesome and very informative video!
Germans used the P40 tank until the last day of the war (IE two German manned P40 had been destroyed by the advancing British on the Pontebbana road on 25 may 1945). Another piece of Italian equipment normally used by Germans were aerial torpedos. The Luftwaffe F5W aerial torpedo, the most used by the Germans in WWII, was imported from Italy, it was the Italian Whitehead 170/450/5,46 torpedo.
Regarding the photo you provided of the G.55 with a torpedo - it looks like the torpedo was mounted to the left of the aircraft's centerline in a position which might prevent the landing gear from retracting.
I recently discovered your channel and I'm really enjoying it. Could you do a video about the French Air Force at the beginning of WWII? What planes they had, and how capable they were? They lost so many planes in the initial invasion, and I gather withdrew most of the rest, that we don't hear much about them here in the US.
The French air force was transitioning to a newer generation of aircraft (as had the Luftwaffe in 1937-38 and the RAF in 1938-39) . So the French were, having considerable difficulty in equipping squadrons with new aircrafts as well as maintaining operational ready rates. In early 1940, some French squadrons ran in-commission rates of barely 40 percent. In may 1940, the output had reached 619 combat aircraft per month produced in France (and 170 additional produced in the US on French orders). Therefore, France not only was outproducing Germany with modern combat aircrafts in this period but was the number 1 manufacturer in the world, unfortunately, it was too late. Of their 28 Fighter groups: 16 had the obsolete Ms406, of which 8 were re-equipping with the Dewotine D520 4 had Hawk 75s 8 had Bloch 151 and 152s Of those, on paper, only the D520 were able to compete with the Bf109e on equal terms. The Ms406 was manuverable but slow, the Curtiss Hawk was not much faster than the Ms406 and was underarmed and the Bloch 151, altough sturdy and well armed, was a very slow climber and had poor agility. However, even in those conditions the French campaign had been incredibly costly for the Luftwaffe. 28% of its front line strength, 1401 aircrafts, were destroyed 672 were damaged, making 36% of the Luftwaffe strength lost or damaged. Luftwaffe's casualties amounted to 6,653 men, including 4,417 highly trained aircrew. All losses that costed dearly in the subsequent Battle of Britain. The single day in which the Luftwaffe lost more aircrafts in the entire war had been 10 may 1940, with 308 aircrafts lost in 24 hours. At the time of Dunkirk the Luftwaffe was near to exhaustion and the Allied gained air superiority, but the situation on the field was so compromised that it made no difference.
Surprisingly of the 3 famous later Italian fighters , it was the Macchi 205 that was built in greatest numbers. Not by much but it beat out the Fiat G55 by a handful although after the War Italy continued to build the G.55 so eventually it surpassed the Macchi
This is the last episode from my trip to the Italian Aviation Museum and (even better) the last video without my new microphone. Except way better audio in the future :) Big thank you to my Patreons for helping me finance new equipment!!! > www.patreon.com/Bismarck
Bismarck - Military Aviation History Bismarck, it's accept. Pardon your lack of english knowledge. Keep up the good work.
Edit: 2nd of June 2020- Idk why I posted this comment but I'll leave it here, sorry Bis for acting like a brat and anyone who comes across this comment
Are you still in Italy, i live on the Alps in Trentino, there is a plane museum near the Trentos airport
You forgot to link the Spaviro, by the way.
it seems frederico want to have a sexy time with the red pants, hobo beard guy
You should come to the UK and visit some of the museums here. Quite a few. Quite big. Plenty to see and talk about. Awesome videos, keep it up please.
The big three Italian fighters were works of art! Beautiful even when standing still. The Reggiane just looked like an art-deco masterpiece . What else would you expect from the Italians?
Not exactly, sir. The Re2005 had the wing plant design quite similar to the Republic aircrafts. In my opinion that fighter was the most advanced among engine prop. fighters of Axis. Of course, we had no possibility to produce them in significant numbers. That is all. Greetings from Italy. Bye.
@@vincenzodimattia3710 I really like the MC 202 / 205 but everyone talks about the G55 and Re2005... was the MC205 so much inferior? Also those three looks quite similar not copys but have some common design i feel, especialy if i look at the canopy.
@@ZunaZurugi Good morning, friend. May I ask where are you from? Yes, the design of those three hunters was similar enough. And it's true there weren't many differences amongst them. With that formula wasn't possible to do anything else. In addiction, the Italian manifacturing system wasn't ready or capable to furnish a large number of aircrafts.
@@vincenzodimattia3710 Im just from germany :D
What do you think about the Italians?
Do you know the Place that they have in history?
Be quite please!!
I don't have enough kind words to say about Italian aircraft from that era in history. Some of the most beautiful and elegant designs ever, they just reek of Speed and Agility.
Italian design with German power, still a great combination to this day
For making crappy cars.
El Rondo ferrari, lamborghini, bugatti, maserari, fiat, lancia, alfa romeo: are we a joke to you?
@@antaridae A BIG JOKE! A stock $60K Corvette can blow the doors off most of them and Corvettes rarely break. German and Italian engineering is a joke. If Toyota built a super car is would bury the German and Italian junk. German engineering was a myth then and it's a myth now. Yankee ingenuity and Japanese honor and diligence beats German incompetent over-engineering and Italian flair every time. Keep in mind, BMW means Big Money Wasted, Buy More Warranty and Bavarian Murder Weapon Fiat means, Fix It Again Tony. The rest of the Italian cars are over priced junk. Real men bang the wives of the wimps who drive super cars.
El Rondo you don’t even know what you are talking about, most of the brands i said don’t even produce sport cars...
Better with a british engine tho.
February 1943 competition in a few words
Bf109 : I'm the best fighter of the axis
FW190: No i'm the best fighter of the axis
the bullied guy in the angle(G.55): Hold my grappa.
KI-61 AND A6M3: HOLD MY SAKE
Don't forget the KI-84
@keith wilson N1K2-J
Guys, sparviero142 means February 1943, so only designs from 1943 count.
So no Ki-84's and N1K's without floats.
@@shaunaemery9618 f4u4:aha, i am coming
Wow, I'm so glad I found this video! I've been a military aviation enthusiast (and former US Air Force airman) all my life. As an American, I actually know about the MC 202/205, Re 2005 and the Fiat G55 and I love them all. Not to mention the DB 601 and 605 engines. Thank you for this informative video. I would love to visit this museum one day!
beautiful plane. typically italian in that regard.
Setting aside the political decisions of their leaders (though I suppose that's symptomatic) if the Italians could have gotten out of their own way just think what could have been in so many arenas.
@@carebear8762 I'd take the politics of mussolini any day over the suicidal "leaders" of the EU or america.
Some of the Italian planes were also dam ugly
@@sarahnikas1344 About suicidal leaders of one's country, Mussolini is the very best champion about it
Viridis XIC That little plane was on the verge of being fastest & sturdiest of WW-2. No doubt
I don't care what anyone else thinks, the warbirds of WW2 were some of the best looking aircraft ever built.
I heard a rumor that Kurt Tank said that the G.55 was the best Axis prop fighter of the war. If he did, that's real praise. I know the German test pilots like it.
Mikhailia Gacesa very similar to American fighter P- 39 HITLER was a buffoon. Germany was being assailed by many bombers at least twice a week. He wants to use the new jet fighter as a bomber.
Mikhailia Gacesa what was the American fighter very similar to this one. P-39 ? Aerodynamics by BELL AIR CRAFT: Spendid, was listening to one on UA-cam. Little plane scared the bejesus out of me. Unbelievable power coming out of that little plane
in 1943 to be specific.
@@davidvance6367 The P-39's only issue was that it was optimised for Low-Altitude dogfights which rarely if ever happened on the Western Front, so the USAAF disliked it for its lacklustre performance at altitude that combat took place.
On the other hand the Soviets adored it. On the Eastern Front all Dogfights took place below 4km since rather than Bomber Hunting/Escorting most of the air war was covering/intercepting CAS at low altitude. P-39's in Soviet service shredded 109's and 190's, the top Soviet aces all scored the most shootdowns in P-39's.
@@davidvance6367 That's a historical lie .Hitler was told the Me 262 could be a fighter bomber & needed one to penetrate Allied defense by speed alone ,for D- Day .Every 5 was committed to fighter defense. Germany needs offense .
Whatever else it is, the Fiat G-55 is the most beautiful fighter of WWII.
not the best, but definitely up there
This is interesting. It's a nice change of pace from all the P51's, etc. You don't really see much about Italian aircraft.
14:40 there is an error: Gabrielli did not simply put a DB605 on the G50!
This is true to some extent for the MC200/202/205, (and many planes are direct conversion of older models) but the G55 is a completely new airframe, which may bring some resemblance with the older one but only superficially. Aerodynamically it was the best of the 3, needing virtually no trim at any height and any speed. It was also the simpler (by far) to build and could withstand easily the massive DB603 improving performances without forsaking it's virtues (as Kurt Tank assessed when he flew the prototype at Guidonia). This could not be attained with an old and flawed design like the G50 Freccia.
RE. 2005 flew wonderfully but the tail assembly was flawed and in time could become a concern for durability and resistence to damage.
Zumzifero very true
Great video and thanks for giving respect to the Italian aviation industry. I have talked to many pilots here in Italy from WW-II (ANR timeframe), and some preferred the G.55, while others liked the MC.205. The very few who I spoke to who flew the Re.2005 felt it was the most maneuverable. And I will add that they all absolutely loved the 109G-6 because it was great fighter with some pilots preferring it over their own. But that is only their personal feeling and opinion. Thanks for the great video.
One other fact about the G-55 -- It is the most Beautiful piston engined fighter plane ever built! Magnificent! Perhaps the Macchi 202 and 205 come close, but this was a masterpiece! Worthy of Michaelangelo!!!!
@Hog Nutz The G.55 subpar? It was considered the best axis fighter by the german test pilots! It was better than a contemporary 109, but way more complex to produce
@Hog Nutz The Centauro had almost double the firepower of a BF 109! And the range didn't really matter considering it was built mainly to intercept bombers! And if i recall correctly it had a superior range than a 109 anyway! What are you talking about?
@Hog Nutz BF 109 G-6 (contemporary to the G.55 Serie 1):
2 x 13 mm MG 131 machine guns and one 20 mm MG 151 cannon.
Range: 560 km without fuel tanks.
G.55 Serie 1 (production version):
2 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun and 3 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons.
Range: 1200 km
Read the reports by Petersen, Milch, Galland and Tank: they even convinced Goring to start production in Germany
@Hog Nutz Also every German pilot that tested it noted that while being heavily armed, it handled better than the contemporary variant of the 109 and the 190 at every altitude!
@Hog Nutz the gross weight of a 109 G-6 was around 3140 kg
G.55 Serie 1: around 3,520 kg
Where did you get your information? I'm genuinely curious, you seem to be quite confused about this machine.
I used to work at the Museo Storico A.M. of Vigna di Valle (the one in the video), so i'm familiar with those peculiar planes
I live in Rome so I visited the museum in many occasions. You quoted the Reggiane planes and, while the museum in Vigna di Valle has in his collection this Fiat and three Macchi, there are no surviving Reggiane today as far as I known. For example, of the 30 produced Re2005 Sagittario, the only thing that survived is a part of the tail section of one of these planes that is on display at the Museo dell'Aeronautica Giovanni Caproni in Trento.
What's sad is that some Re.2001 survived the war, and a couple had been used for some year by the metereological service of the Aeronautica Militare, but after that they had been simply scrapped. At the time preservation was not a thing (even the race plane Macchi M39 currently on display had been recovered in a ditch years later).
I was making a search about it on internet and I actually found that there is a surviving Reggiane 2000 in Sweden, at the Swedish Air Force Museum in Linkoping with Swedish markings. Some Reggiane were actually exported to Sweden and Hungary. There is also a Reggiane 2002 (without wings and engine) with German insignia at the Musee de la Resistance in Limoges (France). Another part of a Re2002 is at the Volandia Museum. In 2013 a Re2000 was raised from the bottom of the sea in Portovenere and will be restored by the Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica.
Dovrebbero aver restaurato un Reggiane 2001, non so se sta già in esposizione.
L'ultima volta ho visto che avevano hai posizionato il carrello retrattile, ma mancava ancora il mezzo
@@emmedigi89 I am counting two Re 2000, a complete one in Sweden and fuselage in Italy and said to be under restoration. I count one Re 2001, which is the corroded example raised from saltwater. I see two Re 2002, both just fuselages--one in France and one in Italy under restoration. There is one Re 2005 in Italy and it is just a partial fuselage.
@@FiveCentsPlease yes, you are actually right. The restoration of the Italian Reggiane has been completed few months ago and it is now on display at the Italian Air Force museum
i must say bismarck you are like a walking encyclopedia of aviation really enjoyed the vid
This is one of the most well-presented and informative documentaries that I've had the pleasure to view. You are most knowledgeable and it's obvious. Thank you. Please continue doing what you do. It is a great contribution to aviation history even if some viewers have no clue of that fact.
5:13 When the Nazis tell you a vehicle is too complicated, you're getting that from the experts of overengineering.
Swiss engineers would like a word.
These comments got a laugh out of me. Germans and Swiss battling it out for over-engineer of the year award. They even have a name for it in watch-making: complications. Meanwhile the Italians go home for lunch, and wine and maybe start back later, maybe not. Civilised people those Italians.
@@ThreenaddiesRexMegistus Panther and Tiger: Good quality because they don't break down. T34 and Sherman: Good quality because they are easy to repair.
@@asmundukkelberg8741 The Panther and Tiger especially were renowned for mechanical unreliability. It’s actually been estimated that more Tigers were lost to mechanical issues and wear than Allied guns.
At first I thought it was a biplane, until I saw the bomber behind it.
Same for me. I was expecting something similar to a Hawker Fury bi-plane (Developed into the Hurricane)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Fury
...
I thought, the bomber was a biplane.
A biplane with 3 20mm mg151 and 2 12.7mm machine guns would terrify even a b29
The only problem with the italian aviation was its industrial capabilities. But I guess that was good in the end.
And the LACK of fuel
They would have been wise to have stayed out of WW1 and WW2.
@@lancejackson3524 Absolutely
Enjoyed my visit to this unique museum back in the 1980s, particularly for it's tri-motors and Schneider Cup machines. The Cant Z.506 S Airone is a wonder to behold (a childhood favourite). Looks as though the collection has more than doubled. The site itself is of great historical significance. Thanks for your videos of Museo storico dell'Aeronautica Militare di Vigna di Valle. Bravo!
Ahahaha, the description is so true it hurts
The biggest mistake for Italy was, being blinded by the success of Spanish Civil War. They thought their air force to be competitive and not to modernize and revolution italian aircraft. The Fiat g55 was true competitive in the time back then. But if you imagine, that equal planes were built by the allies 1, 2 years earlier and Germany even sent the me262 to service, the g55 would have been already obsolete by the end of war. The jet era was coming. So the Italians, in development and production capacity were like 10 years behind the others in relation to those 2 years in war where technology was evolving rapidly.
@@italianoetnico.calabreseve9262 In short, yes, although it was a deep rooted problem. This particular situation was caused by years of negligence and corruption by the government, to the point where having all three of FIAT, Aeronautica Macchi and Reggiane OMI building their own aircraft would take less time and resources than providing each manifacturer with the machinery and know-how to all build the best one out of the serie V fighters. This whole system was as dysfunctional as it could be, although it did cast some very beautiful airplanes in the process.
Thanks for doing that. I used to pooh-pooh the WWII Italian fighter planes and pilots until I read the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces #34, Italian Aces of World War 2 book by Giovanni Massimello and Giorgio Apostolo. I really wish Wings had done a special on Italian planes and aces of WWII.
Planes - nice to have . Food - priceless. The true genius and priority of Italy is always there for all to see.
Great video Bismarck. Salute from Rome. I was there (probably my 20th time...) just 2 weeks ago. Now they put on display a most beautiful Reggiane Re.2002, finally the first Reggiane in the museum.
Thanks for creating & posting this video, Bismarck. It's always nice to see something on the Italian Serie-5 fighters, which are overlooked in aviation history. They were all beautiful places, especially the Centauro and Sagittario, with performance to match. I also liked your video on the SM 79. When I was in Rome a couple of years back, I tried to make it out to Bracciano but my wife wasn't having it. Next time. Keep up the good work!
beautiful plane, very sleek. it would be quite interesting actually seeing it fly along side all of the other top fighters of that time
I'd like just to add why Italy put into into production all three Serie 5.
G.55: it was the of the competion and the easiest to produce, while also being the sturdier of the three and better diver.
M.C. 205: While it lacked the high altitude performance required for a Serie 5, it was literally a 202 with the DB605 and slightly different wing, it could be put into production immediatly and the old 202s could be easily converted to 205.
RE 2005: It was told to the Reggiane to start retooling to produce G.55, but that would have took time and machinery which weren't avaible, so they ordered a small batch of REs because little was better than nothing.
Spot on. Add that the Re.2005 had been already selected as the replacement of the Re.2001 as embarked fighter-bomber on the carrier Aquila (since the Re. 2005 could carry a torpedo from the start).
Italian military production was rife with corruption, so it's hard to say why they did anything.
@@princeofcupspoc9073 Lack of raw materials, rather then corruption, I would say
@@giulianoilfilosofo7927 Not really corruption, more like that the hrad industries had too much power on the fascist regime, you could call it corruption but it was just how the regime worked
If I remember correctly the Re.2005 was the better diver.
One thing about the Fiat G.55 - it was, I think, the most BEAUTIFUL fighter of WWII!!!!
Sexy beast.
Yes it was! I'd give my left arm to fly that thing for an hour!!!!!
Its Fiat...thats why!
You've never seen the Re.2005 before?
A shame the Re.2005 has no survivors available.
A really beautiful war bird.
Is your icon Charon from Fallout 3 wearing Enclave Armor?
Good video!
The G55 was the winner of the selection, but the C.205 was readily available (it was already in production infact) cause it was simply a C.202 with a "plug & play" DB605 engine in it, while the other two required time to start production, so there was no point in not producing it. For the Reggiane instead was easier to start producing the Re.2005 than retooling to produce the G.55, and the Re.2005 had been already selected to be the "second generation" fighter-bomber of the carrier Aquila after the Re.2001 (the Re.2005 could carry a torpedo from the start, thanks to the offset 1000kg hardpoint).
This beautiful Ferrari of the Sky has to be restored to airworthy condition!
I sure enjoy all your videos! You provide some excellent detailed information in all of them, far better and more intriguing than most other channels, and often covering topics that are not available anywhere else. Congratulations and thanks very much. Keep up the good work!
Lol he's like "uhm, i wanna do a video bout G55, *GOES TO ITALY", uhm, or maybe finnish planes, GOES TO FINLAND* :v
Smigol Time! How many museums do you imagine have a G.55?
guess 1 or 2, why do you ask?
Because I don't find it surprising that he might go to an Italian aviation museum to see what must be a pretty rare Italian aircraft
I know you were just joking around though. No big deal.
He´s in the EU...
i meant that he has money and time to go anywhere he wants... and m jealous bout it,especialy about the time :v
If you ever get to travel to Austin Tx look me up. I am a pilot and a gunsmith. As well my father flew fighters with the 15th, 333. He flew spit V-1X and p15bc. All 3 types in one two week period during transition to the p51. I have many firearms to try including a 50bmg rifle. I am the guy who disputed your he 111 swiss shoot down analysis. I know I have seen that exact photo you used but it was in France 1939. I had a flood in 2014 and lost many books. BTW America is a unreal place to find many books cheap you would love in used book stores. Just purchased a swiss m41 sniper rifle. Still shoots .5 MOA after 70 years and held it's zero since last used. Took two rounds to sight it in. Fan boy of your culture and engineering. Cheers from Texas
Splendid aircraft, but I also have great respect for the Regiani (very nimble) and MC205 (a rocket ship!) all three are awesome 🤩
loving these italian airforce vids one about that beautiful sm82 marsupiale next please
Love the lines of Italian WWII fighters
My uncles used to run an hotel in Rimini so i'm used at hearing funny german pronounciation of italian names! 🤣😂Jokes aside, pretty nice video, Chris! Thank you! I would have liked to watch an "inside the cockpit" video of this beautiful bird...
From the thumbnail, I thought this was a strange biplane
The plane you see at museum isn't a real G55. It's the result of a reconstruction started from a Fiat G59, which was later produced and equipped with the Rolls Royce Merlin instead of the DB 605 originally mounted on the G55. Unfortunately, no one of the G55 survived either WWII nor the events that followed after. It's a shame that no one can admire anymore one of the starring fighter plane that played a role in the WWII but, anyway, it is the only one that looks alike very closely. The livery and marks are from the "Squadriglia Complementare d'Allarme Montefusco Bonet" and was accurately reproducted under instruction of the Ufficio Storico of Stato Maggiore Aeronautica. A very good fighter that was made too late. I've appreciated the effort and the willing to drag this story to light.
Too expensive, too few, too late. Anyway, a very good hunter. The last masterpiece of a pre- industrial Country.
Solito commento che solo un italiano può fare.
@@mikyruna Il solito commento che solo un Italiano che ha studiato, può fare❗Abbia una piacevole giornata.
there's a pretty interesting collection in the Aviation Museum of Ottawa, Ontario. Seen a M262, the Komet, plenty axis ww2 fighters and bombers. however the first 2 I mentioned were an amazing view, and what a design masterpiece of engineering it was for its time, still blows your mind.
Both the ME 262 and the ME 163 were actually pretty bad they were the product of rushed wartime design
I like these museum aircraft showcases, the SM.79 was a fascinating video.
just a bit of aviation nitpicking, the G55 design was NOT based on the G50 as he says at the beginning, this statement might have been originated by the english version of the Wikipedia article, not sure about the sources used, but if you read the italian version it says very clearly that it is an entirely new design and anyone that knows the shape of the G50 fuselage knows what i’m talking about, the commonality is restricted to the shape of the tail empennage shape quite a common practice since WWI
It was the best Axis fighter !!!! Fantastic!!!!!
I remember seeing the G55s great grandchild at reno air races. G.59B Biposto "ciao bella". Should be flying again soon.
Great episode on a great and often neglected warbird!
Very interesting video. Thank you for the precise content.
Love your producing Bismark always well explained and enjoyable
I enjoyed this very much indeed! Well done!
Best 2nd worldwar piston fighter aircraft, especially with the DB603 engine. Even Kurt Tank liked the centauro better than BF109 and FW190A
@@sonoitalianoful No it took many more hours to produce a G55 than a BF109, that's why germany didn't thought of starting the production to G55
@@carta8399 ho migliorato la conoscenza personale di questo velivolo,facile da produrre rispetto al macchi 205 certamente,ma mai sotto questo aspetto rispetto ai bf109,anche lo spitfire era molto difficile da produrre e quindi costosissimi,aggiungo qui quanto ho appreso da wikipedia : "Lo impiegammo in combattimento due o tre volte per intercettare i bombardieri alleati che attaccavano le città del nord Italia, ed in tale ruolo si comportò abbastanza bene. Aveva un'ottima maneggevolezza, una eccellente stabilità e un potente armamento. Il discorso variava se però ai bombardieri si sostituivano i caccia alleati fosse anche il pur pesante e poco agile Lightning P.38. Infatti, oltre i 3.000 m. il G.55 accusava la sua pesantezza d'ali e la mancanza di una adeguata potenza surplus del motore in rapporto al peso del velivolo, che lo trasformava in un caccia di media classe e come tale non particolarmente competitivo al confronto con il mediocre ma potente e veloce P.38, con il massiccio ma rapido ed esuberante P.47 e con il velocissimo, agile e poderoso P.51. Il velivolo risentiva, come tutti i caccia italiani dei difetti e dei pregi che essi avevano in comune: buona maneggevolezza, brillante predisposizione acrobatica, splendida linea aerodinamica che si contrapponevano alla limitata consistenza operativa per il quasi completo sfruttamento della potenza motrice disponibile, per la costituzione non particolarmente robusta ad un prolungato sforzo d'impiego, per le difficoltà di manutenzione, per la scarsa efficienza del sistema d'armamento causa di numerosi inceppamenti, per l'insufficienza degli apparati di puntamento per il tiro, per il discontinuo rendimento dei collegamenti radio, tutti elementi che avevano la loro importanza nel combattimento e contribuivano in misura determinante a stabilire il reale valore combattivo di un caccia. Se venivano a mancare tali caratteristiche, il caccia non poteva più configurarsi in modo esatto come tale, poiché era più rispondente ad un veloce aeroplano da turismo, acrobatico, esuberante come potenza e consumo, ed eccessivo sicuramente come prestazioni fornite. Non vorrei essere tacciato di pessimismo, ma le mie convinzioni sono maturate progressivamente allorché all'esperienza entusiasmante ed indimenticabile fatta in guerra col Messerschmitt, ho aggiunto nel dopoguerra, la conoscenza ancor più incisiva e traumatizzante del Thunderbolt e del Mustang che più volte avevo affrontato, combattuto e vinto
@@carta8399 ho migliorato le mie conoscenze sul g55 liberandomi del tanto di propaganda fiat ,era piu facile che rispetto al mc205 o allo spitfire produrlo ma un disastro rispetto ai tipi tedeschi e poi prestazionalmente non era un gran che,aggiungo questo ritratto che ne fece un pilota tratto da wikipedia : "Lo impiegammo in combattimento due o tre volte per intercettare i bombardieri alleati che attaccavano le città del nord Italia, ed in tale ruolo si comportò abbastanza bene. Aveva un'ottima maneggevolezza, una eccellente stabilità e un potente armamento. Il discorso variava se però ai bombardieri si sostituivano i caccia alleati fosse anche il pur pesante e poco agile Lightning P.38. Infatti, oltre i 3.000 m. il G.55 accusava la sua pesantezza d'ali e la mancanza di una adeguata potenza surplus del motore in rapporto al peso del velivolo, che lo trasformava in un caccia di media classe e come tale non particolarmente competitivo al confronto con il mediocre ma potente e veloce P.38, con il massiccio ma rapido ed esuberante P.47 e con il velocissimo, agile e poderoso P.51. Il velivolo risentiva, come tutti i caccia italiani dei difetti e dei pregi che essi avevano in comune: buona maneggevolezza, brillante predisposizione acrobatica, splendida linea aerodinamica che si contrapponevano alla limitata consistenza operativa per il quasi completo sfruttamento della potenza motrice disponibile, per la costituzione non particolarmente robusta ad un prolungato sforzo d'impiego, per le difficoltà di manutenzione, per la scarsa efficienza del sistema d'armamento causa di numerosi inceppamenti, per l'insufficienza degli apparati di puntamento per il tiro, per il discontinuo rendimento dei collegamenti radio, tutti elementi che avevano la loro importanza nel combattimento e contribuivano in misura determinante a stabilire il reale valore combattivo di un caccia. Se venivano a mancare tali caratteristiche, il caccia non poteva più configurarsi in modo esatto come tale, poiché era più rispondente ad un veloce aeroplano da turismo, acrobatico, esuberante come potenza e consumo, ed eccessivo sicuramente come prestazioni fornite. Non vorrei essere tacciato di pessimismo, ma le mie convinzioni sono maturate progressivamente allorché all'esperienza entusiasmante ed indimenticabile fatta in guerra col Messerschmitt, ho aggiunto nel dopoguerra, la conoscenza ancor più incisiva e traumatizzante del Thunderbolt e del Mustang che più volte avevo affrontato, combattuto e vinto
@@sonoitalianoful Sì, un ottimo aereo se inserito nel contesto dei velivoli italiani, non top di gamma per il suo tempo di certo, e comunque difficile da produrre e costoso insomma
the italians were very good at building planes, this is the proof of it
Too bad for them their pilots weren't as good at flying them as the Germans or the British. The North Africa-Mediterranean campaign might have had a very different ending.
@@rimshot2270 the pilot were good but the plane were shit...until 1942ish but they did not built enough of it
@@user-kk6yg7ds9z RAF pilots reported that Italian fighter pilots liked to "mix it up" rather than sty in formation like the Germans, which made it easier for the British to handle them.
A very interesting Italian designed and made fighter plane !!!! I have been in that Milittary Museum near Bracciano .... when I lived in Rome (1987-1989). I remember, that to go there that time was a bit complicated. I had to take a local train (to Viterbo?), and from Stazione ... I had to walk a distance. Oh, well .... I also was carrying on my back my little new born son, Peter. I remember, that I took some photos inside, and outside of the Museum of the different Italian made airplanes. For me it was a great pleasure of being there, but NOT for my wife (at that time) ..... and that is pretty understandable :o))
best model of the Fiat G.55 is the ' Special Hobby ' in 1/48 scale - lovely kit -
They all three, were some extremely beautiful aircraft!
Duececoupe looks very similar to the American P-39
Super caccia, se ci fossero state le materie prime forse era secondo solo al p 51 mustang, Great Fiat g.55
The spitfire mk IX was superior to the Fiat g.55
Please come to london RAF museum, They have spitfire cockpit tours and far too many ww2 aircraft. It's all free too!
Been there, the one in Hendon. There are so many planes you can only wathc them for some seconds each and still the visit will be hours long. Also there is the WWI planes collection, which is incredibly well preserved. Only one hour on the train from london.
But hope they dont ever have to get you to a hospital, might aswell buy a ferrari whit it.
you must be trolling.
FYI, The museum is free but you have to pay 10 pounds jumping into that late-war Spit.
drott150
Ive never had to. And if i lived in america it's very likely that I wouldnt be able to walk.
I don't know what it is with Americans. Anyone would think that looking after people is a bad thing!!
Interesting,I'm 54 been interested in aircraft my whole life have to admit first I've seen of this plane. Looks like a clean plane.
Fantastic Video. Sehr interessant... ich lieb den G.55, so ein schöner Jäger!
Thanks for posting this fascinating bit of history!
Little side note to add, the version of the G.55 with the DB 603 was called the G.56 and it had the 2 bredda machine guns removed but kept the 3 20mm MG 151s.
I heard even the Brits considered this to be "quite an AWESOME" plane - and they knew what were they talking about - I mean - by that time they already had their EXCELLENT Spitfire's that dominated the skies.
"...being Italy, they put all three into production..." Good point! :) So true.
The production of italian airplanes was so low during the war. Factories were all destroyed. This airplane hed been refitted starting from a Fiat G 59 with Rolls Royce Merlin, because the genuine Fiat G 55 were all destroyed or captured by Luftwaffe and lost in action.
Brilliant historic video, thank you for showing and uploading this content, great to see a g55 for real, is it one of the italian or axis produced or replica?
Undoubtably the "Sagitario" ( Archer ) was the best. The Re 2005 completely outclassed the Spitfire Mk14 it encountered over Italy.
You mean Mk XIVs? Didn't know they operated over Italy.
Better check your history here. The spitfire mark you mentioned was a vastly superior plane.
George Honk, yours is typical Anglo arrogance. Please explain how much better the overrated Spitfire was in all aspects of performance vis a vis the Sagitario.
The Sagittario was an astonishing plane, but were built in so few numbers that have no operational influence with the exception of some test flights over Naples, when a single B24 was heavily dmaged and, perhaps, shot down. That's all . Spitfire Mk XIV never saw combat over Italy, and was very faster than the Sagittario, both in horizontal flight and in climbing. Measures don't lie.
George Honk nope
When You consider that 30 % of the losses of 109s occured due to start and landing accidents the production numbers get a different quality.
It reminds me of Hienkles prewar fighter. It set some speed records but lost out to the 109
Fiat G55 Centaur.
The best fighter plane of the Axis accordingly to the same Luftwaffe.
Arguably one of the best-looking DB605-powered aircraft ever built, alongside the Bf 109 G-2 and the Pyörremyrsky.
I went to Vigna di Valle years ago (used to be free entry - my kinda price!) and it had an unusual collection of aircraft.
It's an aerodrome...but where's the runway? And it's next to a great big lake. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Seaplanes. Loads of them. Pre WW2 stuff. Also hydrofoils.
If you're in Rome it's less than an hours drive away and it's cooler - much cheaper than tourist prices in Rome - relaxed etc. Well worth a visit.
The narration is top notch,but more shots of aircraft with narration in background would have been nice. Very slick looking plane.
I had one of those, the Fiat 500, very fast !
My favourite plane after the Spitfire Mk. IX :D
The G55 could be called the Italian answer to the P51. It had shorter range but with the German engine.
Ι have a question. The Fascist Italian air force ANR used a mix of Bf 109s, Mc202s G55s, until the infamous incident when the Germans decided to forcefully incorporate the Italian pilots into the Luftwaffe. The Italians protested, and the whole ANR was out of action for I think a couple of months. When things were resolved and the Italians units returned to action, (early 1945? going from memory) they were all equipped with Bf-109.
Was this simply a matter of streamlining logistics by standardizing equipment?
In April 1944 both the Fiat and Macchi factories were bombed and destroyed, so from that point onwards production of 5 series fighters and their spare parts became impossible so the 109 became the only option.
The ANR pilots used only "5 series" fighters (only a pair of Re.2005 actually) and Bf109g and k. The production of G.55 was officially stopped in september 1944, but it never completely ended (at the end of the war there were completed aircrafts in the FIAT plant. Simply, if they did not produced them, they had not other things to do). Obviously, for the Germans, it was easier to divert all the resources to the German plants, even at the cost to lose the manufacturing capability of FIAT than to spend resources to surveil another production line.
That's sleek looking fighter.
Wouah! Ok! Today, I really learned somthing new! I would had never thought for a single second that Germany would have an any interest at all for any Italian equipement at all! (because of Italiy's tanks VS German's ones!) Thank you for this awesome and very informative video!
Germans used the P40 tank until the last day of the war (IE two German manned P40 had been destroyed by the advancing British on the Pontebbana road on 25 may 1945). Another piece of Italian equipment normally used by Germans were aerial torpedos. The Luftwaffe F5W aerial torpedo, the most used by the Germans in WWII, was imported from Italy, it was the Italian Whitehead 170/450/5,46 torpedo.
Excellent presentation. Great looking bird!
Great video, thank you for the info.
Beautiful aircraft
Regarding the photo you provided of the G.55 with a torpedo - it looks like the torpedo was mounted to the left of the aircraft's centerline in a position which might prevent the landing gear from retracting.
@ Neal Scroggs- It was offset as you have observed (same as Reggiane), but no problem with landing gear retraction.
Interesting logistical analysis, along with a new (to me) fighter.
👍👍
Great video, very informative!
An IAR80 wait for your presentation in Bucharest, at Aviation Museum! You will also find there a lot of MIG 15, 17, 19, 21 and 29. And a few IAR 93!
Great video as always!
Would be very intresting a comparison with the MC205.
Really good job!
Greetings from Italy 🙃
I recently discovered your channel and I'm really enjoying it.
Could you do a video about the French Air Force at the beginning of WWII? What planes they had, and how capable they were? They lost so many planes in the initial invasion, and I gather withdrew most of the rest, that we don't hear much about them here in the US.
The French air force was transitioning to a newer generation of aircraft (as had the Luftwaffe in 1937-38 and the RAF in 1938-39) . So the French were, having considerable difficulty in equipping squadrons with new aircrafts as well as maintaining operational ready rates. In early 1940, some French squadrons ran in-commission rates of barely 40 percent. In may 1940, the output had reached 619 combat aircraft per month produced in France (and 170 additional produced in the US on French orders). Therefore, France not only was outproducing Germany with modern combat aircrafts in this period but was the number 1 manufacturer in the world, unfortunately, it was too late.
Of their 28 Fighter groups:
16 had the obsolete Ms406, of which 8 were re-equipping with the Dewotine D520
4 had Hawk 75s
8 had Bloch 151 and 152s
Of those, on paper, only the D520 were able to compete with the Bf109e on equal terms. The Ms406 was manuverable but slow, the Curtiss Hawk was not much faster than the Ms406 and was underarmed and the Bloch 151, altough sturdy and well armed, was a very slow climber and had poor agility.
However, even in those conditions the French campaign had been incredibly costly for the Luftwaffe. 28% of its front line strength, 1401 aircrafts, were destroyed 672 were damaged, making 36% of the Luftwaffe strength lost or damaged. Luftwaffe's casualties amounted to 6,653 men, including 4,417 highly trained aircrew. All losses that costed dearly in the subsequent Battle of Britain. The single day in which the Luftwaffe lost more aircrafts in the entire war had been 10 may 1940, with 308 aircrafts lost in 24 hours. At the time of Dunkirk the Luftwaffe was near to exhaustion and the Allied gained air superiority, but the situation on the field was so compromised that it made no difference.
Surprisingly of the 3 famous later Italian fighters , it was the Macchi 205 that was built in greatest numbers. Not by much but it beat out the Fiat G55 by a handful although after the War Italy continued to build the G.55 so eventually it surpassed the Macchi
Schönes Video. Kennst du die Flugwerft Schleissheim? Ist immer einen Besuch wert.
With the cockpit so far back, landing a G.55 must have been stupendously dangerous.
It was much more dangerous to land a Bf109 (narrow and notoriously weak undercarriage).
Very good looking plane up there with the Ki84 Frank...can you please do a review on some of the Japanese warplanes too 🔴
Super presentation
If the electrical system was typical of old Fiat production, I wonder how many simply caught fire on engine startup?
That was pretty awesome, I've never heard of the Italian G.55. Now I know thanks.
Best Wishes n Blessings. Keith Noneya
You really should go to the USAF museum in Dayton OH. It has this aircraft and almost any. USAF opponent aircraft as well as their own.
Thanks. Love your vids.
Who else didn't realize the wing above it was from a different plane and thought this was some super advanced biplane?
Fiat g55 was masterpiece of art
sexy plane