Warplanes of Italy: Regia Aeronautica, Fiat G.55 Centauro

Fiat G.55 Centauro

(Regia Aeronautica Photo)

Two Italian Fiat G.55 Centauro fighter aircraft, 1940s.

(Regia Aeronautica Photos)

Fiat G.55 Centauro (Centaur), 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.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Zerosei Photo)

(Lorenzo Tomasi Photo)

Fiat G.55 Centauro (Centaur), fighter, in the Italian Air Force Museum, Vigna di Valle on Lake Bracciano in central Italy.

Fiat G.55 Centauro (Centaur), fighter in Syrian Air Force service.  (Regia Aeronautica Photo)

Fiat G.55 Centauro (Centaur), fighter in Luftwaffe service.  (Luftwaffe Photos)

(RAF Photos)

Fiat G.55 Centauro (Centaur), fighter, captured by the RAF and test flown at Tangmere in the UK.

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