Overlooked WWII Plane That Could Have Changed the War, But Was Ignored by the Germans

By the early 1940s, the air forces of Europe’s warring nations were locked in a race to develop aircraft that could dominate the skies. Italy faced a particularly challenging situation. When the war began, much of its air force consisted of outdated aircraft that struggled to compete against modern Allied designs. Italian engineers knew that to stand a chance, they needed to overhaul their aircraft design philosophy. Among the results of this effort was the Fiat G.55 Centauro—an aircraft that showed great promise but was ultimately underutilized due to production challenges and strategic oversights.

The Development and Performance of the Fiat G.55 Fighter Aircraft

The Fiat G.55 was part of Italy’s attempt to create more advanced fighters. Earlier aircraft, such as the Fiat G.50 Freccia and Macchi C.200 Saetta, relied on radial engines and lacked the performance to rival Allied planes. Italian designers decided to adopt inline engines, which offered greater speed, agility, and climbing ability. The decision to license the German Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine gave Italian engineers access to technology that had already proven itself in aircraft like the German Messerschmitt Bf 109. This was the foundation for a new generation of Italian fighters.

The G.55 was designed by Giuseppe Gabrielli, a prominent Italian aeronautical engineer. Gabrielli sought to combine speed, firepower, and agility into a single aircraft. The result was a sleek, streamlined plane with excellent aerodynamics. Its armament consisted of three 20-millimeter cannons and two 12.7-millimeter machine guns, providing significant firepower that could handle both bombers and enemy fighters. The G.55’s fully enclosed cockpit improved visibility and pilot safety, while its robust frame could withstand combat damage. These features made it a well-rounded fighter capable of taking on the best Allied aircraft.

The G.55 first flew in 1942 and immediately impressed during testing. It performed so well that even German Luftwaffe pilots evaluated it and praised its capabilities. Some went so far as to rate it higher than their own Messerschmitt Bf 109. The G.55 could reach speeds of 390 miles per hour and had an operational ceiling of 41,000 feet, putting it on par with advanced Allied aircraft like the P-51 Mustang and Spitfire. Its ability to climb quickly and maintain agility in dogfights made it a formidable opponent.

Production Challenges and Operational History of the Fiat G.55 Fighter

Despite its promise, the G.55 faced production challenges from the start. Italy’s wartime industry struggled with material shortages and disruptions from Allied bombing campaigns. Factories were destroyed, and supply chains collapsed, making it difficult to manufacture aircraft on a large scale. Although Italian officials authorized the production of 2,400 G.55s, only 19 were completed by 1943. Even when Germany considered taking over production, their own industry’s demands prevented them from committing resources to the Italian design.

In mid-1943, the G.55 finally saw combat with the 353a Squadriglia in Sardinia. These aircraft were tasked with defending the island from Allied bombing raids. Though few in number, the G.55s demonstrated their capabilities in combat, successfully intercepting bombers and engaging escort fighters. Pilots who flew the Centauro praised its handling and firepower, and even their enemies noted the aircraft’s effectiveness. However, the limited production meant that the G.55 could not make a significant impact on the air war.

The G.55’s operational history was further complicated by Italy’s political situation. In July 1943, Benito Mussolini was deposed, and Italy’s government began negotiating an armistice with the Allies. By September, Italy formally surrendered, and its military forces were thrown into disarray. In the north, the newly established Italian Social Republic continued to fight alongside Germany. The Fiat factory in Turin resumed limited production of the G.55, now under the control of the German-backed regime.

The Operational Role and Legacy of the Fiat G.55 Centauro

Despite these challenges, the G.55 continued to fly with the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana (ANR), the air force of the Italian Social Republic. ANR squadrons used the G.55 to intercept Allied bombers targeting industrial cities in northern Italy. Although they faced overwhelming odds, the pilots of these aircraft carried out their missions with determination. The G.55’s firepower and agility allowed it to hold its own against the larger Allied formations, but its impact was ultimately limited by its small numbers.

In retrospect, the Fiat G.55 Centauro was one of the most advanced fighters developed by Italy during World War II. Its design combined Italian ingenuity with German engineering, resulting in a plane that could compete with the best aircraft of the era. However, the combination of production delays, strategic missteps, and Italy’s changing political landscape meant that the G.55 never realized its full potential. If produced in greater numbers and deployed more widely, the Centauro might have played a more significant role in the air war.