Macchi C.205 Veltro (Greyhound)

History

Macchi C. 205 "Veltro" ("Greyhound") - also known as "MC. 205" - is a further development of the 1941 Macchi C. 202 "Folgore". In fact, the aircraft retains the basic design lines of its ancestors, but adds a powerful German Dimler-Benz DB 605 production engine to create an outstanding Italian WWII fighter. Through a more refined design, the C.205 proved to be a top performance rival to some of the best fighter development in the war, combined with a hybrid machine gun/cannon armament with ground-strike capability.

By the end of the war, however, only a few hundred of the belt had been produced, never having much of an impact on Italy's wartime situation until the surrender in September 1943. She also served in the German and Croatian armies and found a post-war career in Egypt.

The last element was decommissioned in 1950 (Egypt).

The Italians formed a line of powerful fighter types under the name "5 Series", including the Macchi C. 205, Fiat G. 55 and Reggiane Re. In 2005, all three designs had in common the use of the excellent German Daimler-Benz DB 605 production engine, which allowed the Italian industry to focus more on the development and production of fighter jets rather than expensive, dynamic power device. Fiat took over local licensed production of the DB 605 as RA. 1050 RC58 "Tifone" ("Typhoon"), which greatly simplifies things. The new name C. 205 "Veltro" was born when project manager Mario Castoldi retrofitted the engine to the existing fuselage of the C. 202 "Folgore".

Alternatively, this aircraft is also known as "MC. 205" known as "Macchi Castoldi".

The first flight of the modified aircraft was recorded on April 19, 1942, and its lines clearly indicated its C. 202 origin, as the new design was little changed. The aircraft continued the streamlined look established by Folgore, including a low-set monoplane, a raised fuselage spine and a long nose configuration. The cockpit is located aft of the cabin forward amidships, with the pilot under a framed canopy hinged to starboard to open.

The engine drives a three-bladed propeller assembly in the usual manner. The fuselage cross-section is very rounded to improve aerodynamic efficiency while accommodating the internal volume required for avionics, fuel and weapons. The rear wing consists of a short, rounded vertical fin with a low-mounted horizontal plane. All wing surfaces have rounded wing tips to encourage elegant form. The tailgate landing gear is fully retractable, including its small tailwheel.

One of the notable cosmetic changes to the C.205 was the installation of two oil coolers on the sides of the fuselage.

Fiat RA. The 1050 RC58 Tifone is an inverted V12, liquid-cooled, supercharged, producing 1,475 horsepower. Performance includes a top speed of 400 mph, a range of up to 590 miles, and the aircraft's service ceiling is 37,730 feet. Compared to the older C. 202, the C. 205 is faster, has a significantly improved rate of climb and agility, and the new mount is further improved.

The C. 202 has a top speed of 372 mph and a range of up to 475 miles, only its service cap matches the C. 205.

Standard armament became 2 x 20mm MG 151 cannons and 2 x 12.7mm Breda SAFAT machine guns, both on the wings. Provides 250 x 20mm projectiles for dual gun assemblies and 400 x 12.7mm ammunition for each machine gun. The Luftwaffe also requested ordnance transport support, providing 2 x 350lb bombs for ground attack/fighter-bomber missions.

It is worth noting that the C. 205 was the first Italian fighter to incorporate 2 x 20mm guns in its armament - a very modern quality for its time.

The C. 205 has been flight-tested and immediately requested for production - that's how important the new fighter is. The Italian government ordered 250 of them, the first of which was delivered in September 1942. However, the complex design of the aircraft led to slow production, which, combined with strategic material shortages and available industry in Italy, limited total monthly production. Only ten will be available by the end of the year, and less than twenty by the following February. The C.205 entered service in April 1943, mainly in support of Italian troops in the Mediterranean.

The initial production batch of 100 aircraft was finally completed in June.

In practice, the aircraft is said to rival the best Allied fighter jets of its time in agility and speed. Its contemporaries were the German Messerschmitt Bf 109G, the British Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX, the Japanese Kawasaki Ki-61 "Hein" and the Soviet Yakovlev Yak-9D, which were good companions for the Veltro.

Much of its success is undoubtedly due to the use of German engines, but if it weren't for the circumstances that dictated its overall range, the C.202 Folgore's tried-and-true design certainly helped it become Italy's most successful war fighter. It certainly had the key qualities that defined the classic fighter of the day.

Armament is also considerable, especially for Italian aircraft.

By 1943, the war situation in and around Italy was favorable for the Allied advance, culminating in the enforcement of the Italian Armistice on September 3, 1943 (officially announced on September 8). While this ended Italy's official participation in the war as an Axis power, the country was now split between Nazi-backed royalists and those who sided with the Allies. As a result, the existing C. 205 fighter inventory was divided along these lines, with about 37 in use by about 37 warring forces, 28 of which were in service with the Nazi-backed Italian Social Republic.

Additional production by May 1944 brought 112 aircraft, some also in service with the Luftwaffe using Geschwader II/KG 77s, and four in service with the Nazi puppet state of the Independent State of Croatia.

The C.205 served on both sides until the end of the war in May 1945. The rebuilt Italian Air Force used a small stockpile for the next few years until the line was finally scrapped in May 1947 and replaced by the remaining British Super Sea Spitfires.

From September 1942 to May 1944, a total of 262 C.205 Veltros were produced and used in Italy, Germany, Egypt and Croatia. It completed its last combat service in 1948 during the Arab-Israeli War. Only three survive today as museum displays.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes