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Airfix 1/72 FIAT G.50 Freccia (Arrow) by Luca Bossi |
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Although produced in comparatively fewer numbers than corresponding Macchi aircraft of WWII, the Fiat G.50 nonetheless draws as much interest, particularly amongst scale aviation modelers. The most interesting use of this aircraft was in the clash between Finland and Russia in 1940-1944. In the hands of Finnish pilots, the Fiat G.50 achieved remarkable success and was responsible for 101 Soviet aircraft shot-down for the loss of only two Fiats. This success mirrored the Italian performance in southern Russia using the more effective Macchi MC.200. The total production of Fiat's amounted to 791 of all types. The Fiat G.50 was designed by the young and gifted Ing. Giuseppe Gabrielli in 1937 and he drew upon this experience to design one of the war's best fighters, the Fiat G.55 Centauro. He later designed the highly successful Fiat G.91 multirole combat jet aircraft, winning the European competition for its type and the plane was subsequently adopted for use by the AMI, the Luftwaffe and the Portugese air force. 154o Gruppo CT 361a, 395a Squadriglie Stormo Autonomo This unit was formed on 25 October 1940 for operations in the Balkans, under the direct control of AALB command. The next day 361 Sq arrived from 24 Gruppo, and on 5 November 395 Sq arrived from 160 Gruppo. On 27 November a section was detached to Valona, reuniting with the Gruppo at Devoli on 4 April 1941. The unit had moved there because Berat had proved inadequate. Despite the bad weather and primitive bases this unit became the most successful in the Greek campaign. With up to twenty-seven G 50s operational, it claimed fifty-two aircraft plus twenty-nine probables for the loss of only five pilots and one technician between November and April. The unit escorted bombers, army co-operation and reconnaissance planes, undertook ground attacks, and joined in local defence scrambles. For its achievement the Gruppo was awarded the Medaglia d'Argento al Valor Militare. lmmediately the Gruppo moved to Italy, 361 Sq was detached to Lecce. On 25 May both squadriglie transferred to 24 Gruppo and 154 Gruppo disbanded. Reforming on 19 July, it reunited with 361 Sq already at Grottaglie, and 395 Sq flew in from Brindisi. Both squadriglie had returned from 24 Gruppo. G 50s were used for day missions and CR 42a were received for night work. On 10 October pilots and aircraft from both squadriglie formed a third, 396 Sq, at Crotone. With sections spread between Grottaglie, Lecce, Manduria and Crotone, the unit defended the Ports and areas of Taranto and Brindisi. Much time was taken up with convoy escorts for Libya-bound Shipping. 395 Sq had been at Grottaglie since December 1941, but temporarily used Valona between 7 and 23 Februaty 1942. ln March another complementary squadriglia was formed within the Gruppo (number not known). The new sub-unit comprised spare Gruppo pilots together with some ex-bomber pilots. ln May 395 and 396 Sq moved to the Aegean while 361 Sq, equipped with MC 200s, left for 21 Gruppo. On the 29th 396 Sq was detached to Gadurra, with a section at Coo. The latter base was only suitable for short stops and emergencies. By August the pilots were finding that static on radio reception often prevented orders from being heard properly. On 13 September aircrew and ground personnel from the Gruppo defeated a group of enemy saboteurs at Gadurra and Marizza. ln January 1943 the G 50S practiced dropping 50kg bombs over the Passimada area. Some MC 200s arrived on 26 February in time for an intensive period of activity, as Allied convoys crossed the eastern Mediterranean. The unit undertook day and night defence, anti-submarine and reconnaissance patrols, and shipping escort. Although limited by bad weather in March, it still made three convoy escorts, six standing patrols, five submarine hunts, seven armed reconnaissances, three scrambles, and one torpedo-bomber escort - a total of seventy-two sorties in just over 105 hours. Problems recurred with the B5 radio crystals, preventing efficient communications. April saw 106 sorties in sixty-seven missions, including thirty-nine scrambles, five convoy escorts, three patrols, two submarine hunts, and seven armed reconnaissances. By mid-May the squadrig|ie were split between Marizza and Gadurra. The Gruppo was still in this area on 7 Septernber, having by then also received some MC 202s. 396 Sq had been detached to Antimachia landing, on the the island of Kos. Source: Chris Dunning, "Courage Alone: The Italian Airforce 1940-1943", Hikoki Publuications, 2009
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In the box of forgotten parts I found my Fiat G 50 airfix (1970?) in 1/72 scale built with indescribable technique. In order to forgive myself, I restored and rebuilt it adding numerous details, in particular rebuilding the engine cowling, the cockpit etc. Then I saw a rare color photo of a Regia, with a rather complicated livery. I presented this subject to others, as a study of the Regia's liveries receiving good feedback and reiterating that static modelling is clearly superior to other hobbies.
Note that the fuselage cross is without the Savoy coat of arms and has an elongated shape typical of CMSA production (aeronautic mechanical constructions joint-stock company) of Marina di Pisa. There maybe a third machine in the background photo. Sources: Hikoki - Courage Alone. Bancarella Aeronautica Ali e colori n.3 e Ali d' Italia n.6. Edizioni Bizzarri - Dimensione Cielo n.01. Giorgio Apostolo Editore 1998 - Nei cieli di Guerra. CMPR-Italia Aerofan 1981 , n.01 Wydawnictwo Militaria 059 --- Fiat G50 |
Aircraft: Fiat G.50 Manufacturer: Fiat S.A. Type: Fighter Year: 1939 Engine: Fiat A.74 RC 38, 14-cyclinder radial, air-cooled, 870hp Wingspan: 36 ft (10.98 m) Length: 25 ft 7 in (7.80 m) Height: 9 ft 8 1/2 in (2.95 m) Weight: 5,280 lb (2,395 kg) (Loaded) Maximum Speed: 294 mph (473 km/h) at 19,685 ft (6,000 m) Ceiling: 35,200 ft (10,700 m) Range: 420 miles (675 km) Armament: 2 x 12.7mm (0.5 in) SAFAT machine guns Crew: 1 |
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