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by Przemyslaw Skutski.
Softcover (8.3×11.7 inches). 128 pages. 2025.
The G.55 served in mid to late WWII in limited numbers, in part because of Italian manufacturing problems and in part because the USAAF bombed the factory rather effectively. Only 161 of the fighters were produced, of which 107 were delivered (p11).
Engine problems delayed development and the first aircraft only showed up in June 1943. It took about 15,000 man hours to produce (versus 6,000 for a ME-109) and maintaining it was difficult. Yet, when it flew, it had potential against Allied fighters. You can pull a couple scenarios from the combat operations text.
All the technical specs and explanations are there for the serious buffs, including 36 black and white drawings of various subsystems.
For the modelers, no original G.55 survived, although one version, converted back from postwar variant G.59, is on display at the Museo Storico dell’Aeronautica in Vigna de Valle (Italy). An 80-color photo section captures the aircraft, including close-ups of various subsystems.
In addition to the above, the book contains 93 black and white photos, four other color photos, three other black and white illustrations, 14 black and white 1/72-scale drawings, and 36 color camouflage aircraft profile illustrations.
It’s another excellent volume in the Orange series.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
