Macchi 205, Re. 2005, Fiat G.55

(N-6) wrote in message . com...
I am interested in getting more info about the Italian "Series 5"
fighters of WW2 (Macchi MC. 205, Reggiane Re. 2005, Fiat G.55). Some
specific questions:

1. Did any Macchi 205's have 20mm cannons installed /inside/ the
wings, or did cannon-equipped 205's only have them in under-wing
gondolas? My sources are not clear on this.

The Macchi C.205 Veltro (Greyhound) was one of the best Italian
late-war fighters powered by the German Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine.
Although only 177 were produced, some carried armament of one Mauser
MG-151/20 cannon in fairings beneath each wing.
The other Macchi C.205, the N-version Orione (Orion) initially had
four SAFAT 12.7mm MG in the fuselage plus an engine-mounted 20mm
engine cannon. In the second prototype this was revised to two SAFAT
12.7mm cannon in the fuselage and two MG-151/20 in underwing fairings.
Only 2 prototypes were produced.
Interestingly enough, Egypt ordered 68 Macchi C.205Vs postwar to use
against the Jewish State. 42 were delivered, mostly conversions from
C.202 airframes. They briefly fought the Israelis before the armistice
was signed in 1949.

2. How many rounds of ammo did the cannon-equipped MC 205 carry for
each cannon?

Between 200-250 rds.

3. My understanding is that all Italian planes had "reversed" throttle
controls, i.e. the pilot pulled the throttle control back to get more
engine power, and pushed the control forward to cut engine power. Were
any of the Italian 5-series fighters modified to have the throttle
control operate the opposite/"standard" way when exported to other
nations (for instance, when German pilots supposedly used the Re.2005
over Berlin)?

No, the Italian co-belligerents flew "alongside" the Luftwaffe in the
defense of Berlin IIRC.

4. I have read that the limited-production Re.2005 was considered the
best handling/most maneuverable/best performing plane of the three
Italian fighters at low-to-mid altitudes. I have heard offhand that an
Italian pilot who flew both the Spitfire VIII and the Re.2005 said
that the Re.2005 was much superior of the two in this respect. Since
there is so little information about the Re.2005 out there, can anyone
verify/add to this? Was the 2005 really that good? Did the plane have
any vices (I've heard about some sort of structural problem?)?

I've heard the opposite- that even the introduction of the superior
Daimler-Benz DB 605 (RA 1050 R.C.58 Tifone)could not improve the
overall performance of the Re.2005 Sagitarrio (Archer). In fact,
although only 48 were built, Regianne planned a 450 mph variant
Re.2005R with a centrifugal compressor powered by an additional piston
engine!
The best Italian fighter of the war was undoubtedly the Fiat G.55
Centauro, which also used the German license-built DB 605 engine. It
was armed with three Mauser MG-151/20, two SAFAT 12.7mm MG, and a
modest bombload of two 352lb bombs on underwing racks. The Centauros
frequently ran into the P-51 Mustang and was a match for it. But an
even more advanced model- the Fiat G.56 was in the works that would
have used the DB 603 engine making it the fastest of all Italian
aircraft. Production was cancelled, however, before the type could be
introduced into combat. The G.55 went on postwar to equip the Italian
AMI until the early '50s.

Thanks for any help...

Rob