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| Last of this
related family of fighters, and one of
the best produced in Italy during
World War II, the Re.2005 Sagittario
(archer) had the same general configuration
as its predecessors. However,
its design incorporated considerable
structural redesign, and refined
landing gear, and the type reverted to
the inline engine. First flown in
September 1942 with a Daimler-Benz
DB 605A-1, the Re.2005 led to a production
model, of which deliveries began
in 1943, with a licence-built version
of this engine, the Fiat RA.1050 RC
58 Tifone. Only 48 had been delivered
before finalisation of the armistice with
the Allies, these aircraft fighting in the
defence of Naples, Rome and Sicily,
the survivors battling above the
crumbling rums of Berlin.
 | A three-view drawing (1746 x 1269) |
| Ron, e-mail, 08.02.2011 00:02 If only it were'nt quite so narrow in front of the tail assembly!
That was it's weak point (literally).
If it were as sturdy as the Fiat G.55 it could have handled primitive airfields as well as paved ones. It's dive pull-out would have been less dicey too.
It still would be just as beautiful a fighter in my opinion. reply | | Ben Beekman, e-mail, 25.01.2011 20:22 May I also add to the previous comment that the information was found in the book "Reggiane Fighters in Action", published in 2001 by Squadron /Signal Publications Inc. of 1115 Crowley Drive, Carrollton, Texas 75011-5010 and authored by George Punka. reply | | Ben Beekman, e-mail, 25.01.2011 20:14 The Reggiane Re.2005 was quite a successful design, another feather in the cap of the Italian aero industry! First flown on May 7, 1942, it attained a speed of 421 mph at 22,801 feet of altitude using the DB 605A-1, 1,475 hp, in-line engine. Armament consisted of three Mauser cannon, two in the wings and one firing through the propeller hub) and two 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns in the upper cowling. unlike the Re.2001, the landing gear now retracted outward, enabling better ground-handling characteristics. Fiat contracted to build production "Tifone" engines of the same horsepower under license from Daimler-Benz, however successful flight trials of the Fiat G.55 and Macchi C.205 fighters limited further government funding. A German flight test of one of the Re.2005 prototypes resulted in a top speed of 447.4 mph at 23,950.1 feet using a specially prepared DB605 engine with a VDM propeller during April of 1943. Altogether fewer than 50 Re.2005's were ever built prior to the armistice in September of 1943. reply | | Mangusta, e-mail, 23.07.2010 13:44 anyway, I think it's one of the most beautiful fighters ever produced during WW2...I'm speaking about it's well shaped aerodynamic lines... reply | |
| | Ron, e-mail, 01.08.2010 00:33 Mangusta,
It was streamlined. It wasn't just the old fighter with a new (Italian version of the DB-605A-1) motor like it's stable mates. The whole design was refined with the wind tunnel. That's why it was so fast for 1942. So it was more than just good looks. Don't forget it had real teeth too, not just world class performance. Alas, if only it were a bit more sturdy and mass produced. reply | | Ronald Boren, e-mail, 24.08.2008 06:14 The Luftwaffe had about 17 Re 2005 fighters defending Romanian oil fields. Likewise for the Romanian capital and Berlin. It was more refined than the Macchi C 205V and Fiat G 55 so it was faster and more agile than the Veltro and Centauro. The Sagittario could dive faster than 607 mph and out-turn a Spitfire MkIX. But it's rivals were sturdier and more numerous. reply | | Ronald Boren, e-mail, 23.08.2008 10:10 This one caught the Germans attention. 421 mph at about 6,000 ft! From 1943! A natural for fighting the Lavochkins and Yaks in the east. Just beware of rugged unpaved airfields, that's all.
Like the other series 5 Italian fighters (MC 205 & G 55), it was finally well armed. It had 3 Mauser 20 mm cannons to compliment the 2 modest Breda 12.7 mm cowl guns yet was still agile in contrast to Luftwaffe fighters with similar firepower. It reportedly fought over Buda-Pest as well as Berlin...etc. Imagine if this design was mass produced like the inferior Bf 109, instead of stopping at 48 when Italy surrendered!! Thus it was likely misidentified as a Messerschmitt. reply | | David Griffiths, e-mail, 05.06.2008 22:18 The comment can be found in The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II: The Comprehensive Guide to Over ... By Chris Bishop has the line "..the survivors battling above the crumbling ruins of Berlin." I agree with Aero-Fox, no way were these flying over Berlin in 1945. reply | | vincent fiore, e-mail, 26.03.2008 22:38 It seams that all models produced in plasti are wrong. The canopy is too high and too short. compare photes you will see for yourself reply | | Aero-Fox, 26.03.2008 20:08 This was a trult legendary aircraft, I have to say, I see it as one of the most attractive fighters of the war.
However, I'd have to disagree with the provided information...in all the Luftwaffe rosters I've seen, there is no mention of these aircraft...I doubt they would have fought over Berlin, in any case. By that time stores and production of aircraft fuel in Germany was at an all-time low...they were barely able to scramble ANY resistance...I doubt they would have given precious fuel to foreign-made planes over their own native designs. reply | | 3VI, e-mail, 16.10.2007 10:16 Me pare 'na monada... reply |
| federico, e-mail, 08.07.2007 10:37 "...the survivors battling above the crumbling rums of Berlin..." where did you find this information? reply |
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