Regarded as the best Italian aircraft of World War II together with the Fiat G-55 Centauro, the Macchi-Castoldi C.205 proved to be extremely effective in action, destroying a large number of Allied bombers and capable of successfully clashing on equal terms with such renowned fighters as the North American P-51D Mustang. Although the C.205 was able to match the best Allied opponents both in speed and maneuverability,it was introduced late during the conflict. Moreover, due to the poor Italian industrial capability of the time, only a small production run was delivered to combat units before the end of the war. Famous C.205 pilots are Italy's highest scoring ace Adriano Visconti and the top scoring C.205 Sergente Maggiore pilota (Sargeant Major pilot) Luigi Gorrini.
To date, there's still debate about Gorrini's score,since Regia Aeronautica preferred crediting units over individual combat achievements. Gorrini's official aerial combat score is 19 victories, but, according to his memories, he achieved 7 more during his service with Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana (A.N.R.), flying a Macchi C.205. These victories did not enter his officiall tally due to political reasons,since the A.N.R. fought by the side of the German Luftwaffe after the Italian September 8th, 1943 armistice. These bring his total tally to 26 victories, making him the top scoring Italian fighter ace of WWII.For his combat record with the A.N.R he was awarded twice by the Luftwaffe with the Iron Cross First and Second Class. Luigi Gorrini was also awarded for his actions, after the end of the war, with the highest Italian military decoration,the "Medaglia d'Oro al Valor Militare" (M.O.V.M.,Gold Medal for Military Valour). Last surviving Italian fighter pilot of WWII,he died recently at the age of 97 and this repaint is dedicated to his memory.
Repaint by Manuele Villa/MVG3D, November 2014.
To date, there's still debate about Gorrini's score,since Regia Aeronautica preferred crediting units over individual combat achievements. Gorrini's official aerial combat score is 19 victories, but, according to his memories, he achieved 7 more during his service with Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana (A.N.R.), flying a Macchi C.205. These victories did not enter his officiall tally due to political reasons,since the A.N.R. fought by the side of the German Luftwaffe after the Italian September 8th, 1943 armistice. These bring his total tally to 26 victories, making him the top scoring Italian fighter ace of WWII.For his combat record with the A.N.R he was awarded twice by the Luftwaffe with the Iron Cross First and Second Class. Luigi Gorrini was also awarded for his actions, after the end of the war, with the highest Italian military decoration,the "Medaglia d'Oro al Valor Militare" (M.O.V.M.,Gold Medal for Military Valour). Last surviving Italian fighter pilot of WWII,he died recently at the age of 97 and this repaint is dedicated to his memory.
Repaint by Manuele Villa/MVG3D, November 2014.
