Fiat G.55 Centauro (oz5972)

About this Plan

Fiat G55 Centauro. Stand-off scale model fighter. 86in span, 1118 sq in area. For 1.8 to 3.2 power. and 6 channel RC. Model # pl-1236. Designed by Paul Byrum. From RCM 7-97.

Quote: "Tired of the ordinary warbird? This unique giant scale aircraft will stand oin at any R/C flying site.

The Italian Air Force entered WWII with the Macchi 202 as its first line fighter. The next generation was planned to be the Macchi 205, the Reggiane 2005, and the F.I.A.T. (Fiat.) G.55 Centauro. Only small numbers were produced before the government fell in 1943. Germany occupied industrialized northern Italy and tried to continue aircraft production, but aircraft factories were fat targets for Allied medium and heavy bombers.

The Fiat G.55's are all gone now. They exist only in some dusty books and the dim memories of a few old men who flew them 50 years ago. Nevertheless, it is an interesting airplane. The G.55 was powered by a 1450 hp Daimler-Benz (Mercedes) DB605A inverted V-12 supercharged engine, the same as the Messerschmitt 109G. Well-armed with three 20mm cannons and two .50 caliber machine guns, the Fiat was capable of 400+ mph and could turn inside a Spitfire. Our hest chance to evaluate the Fiat's design is to build and fly large radio controlled models of the type.

The proportions of the Fiat are amazingly similar to a modern pattern model. Notice the long tail moment, the long nose, and the low thrust line. The forward bend in the leading edge simplifies landing gear installation; and with the gear up, it's very clean and streamlined. The outline of the model presented here is very close to scale except for a slight enlargement of the horizontal tail. How does it fly? Smooth and groovy and is very stable on landing approach. Rudder corrections are seldom needed in flight. With the 2 degrees of wing wash-out, there is no tendency to tipstall or drop a wing during a stall.

Anyone who can fly a Top Flite or Byron's Warbird will have no problems with this Fiat. Ours has flown with the A&M 2.6 and the Walker 3.2 (now Precision Eaglet). With the 3,2 engine it's very fast and does great vertical rolls. Any more power probably would be too much. A Quadra 35, 42, Zenoah 38 or a Webra Bully would be fine.

We used the Likes Line 1/5 size landing gear, modified by Likes for a larger diameter pivot pin (1/4 in) It has worked so well that, starting the fourth flying season, there are no scratches on the belly. Our Fiat has a fixed tail wheel, but the airplane tends to be nose-heavy and a retract shouldn't add any weight. The Likes Line is located at 1601 Airport Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

Whatever brand of landing gear is selected, the length of the strut from bottom of wing to axle should be 6-15/16 in when no weight is on the gear. We used Williams Bros, 4-1/2 in Smooth Contour wheels.

Fuselage construction uses slab sides and strip planking. Strips may appear to be tedious, but the process seems to be over before you know it. It helps to have the sides and strips about the same density balsa wood. Use Pica Gluit for all exterior planking and sheeting. This white wood glue is sandable and doesn't leave ridges after sanding. You will notice all flying surfaces use a false leading edge, which enables one to get a smooth, rounded leading edge quickly and easily.

The NACA 2415 airfoil is dependable, stable, and acrobatic. The tail surfaces use the new SD 8020 airfoil, which was wind tunnel developed to make the tail do its job better. Flaps were not used on the original model but are shown on the plans. As used on the full-sized Fiat, they are of the simple split flap design and should look good extended when the model is on final..."

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics, thanks to Piero.

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