Official Fiat G-55 Centauro Painting Thread

[DarrylH]

My two G-55s somewhere over central Italy, 1943. AE Models FUD prints with Italeri paint, I-94 Enterprises decals, and AA prop discs. Marking options for Centauros are limited, especially if you don't want to go the Repubblica Sociale Italiana (RSI) route. Early production G-55s were used to defend against USAAF air raids on Rome, so that's what mine are, but only one of about 55 made it south when the armistice was signed; all the rest ended up being used by the ANR. The Germans thought very highly of the Centauro, considering it the best of the Serie 5 Italian fighters--one Luftwaffe officer even argued that the Germans should stop producing BF-109s and FW-190s, and license build G-55s instead!

[matt56]

These fellows looks lovely, Darryl! The Italian markings prior to the 'split' are one of the prettiest of the war, in my opinion... I have FUD models coming from Foz, and I am planning on doing them later war, so I'll have to hunt up the appropriate decals...

Thanks for the inspiration!
All the best,
Matt

[DarrylH]

These fellows looks lovely, Darryl! The Italian markings prior to the 'split' are one of the prettiest of the war, in my opinion... I have FUD models coming from Foz, and I am planning on doing them later war, so I'll have to hunt up the appropriate decals...

Thanks for the inspiration!
All the best,
Matt

Happy to hear you liked them, Matt. The Macchi MC.202/205 series and the Fiat G-55 are among the most handsome fighters produced by any WWII combatant, in my opinion. Some Veltros did serve with the Co-Belligerent Air Force, if I remember correctly, although they were eventually replaced by US or UK aircraft (Spitfire Vs if their pilots were lucky, Airacobras if they weren't). The RSI G-55 pilots didn't have it much better, as for ease of maintenance, their Centauros were also eventually replaced by BF-109Gs--which the Italians weren't at all happy about.

[Whiskysierra]

Can't give rep but this is some more nice work, well done.

[BobP]

Nice work. Gives me an idea for how to paint my new Italian MACCHI 200's.