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The Reggiane Re.2005 ' ((英語:Archer), Sagittarius) was an Italian monoplane fighter/fighter-bomber produced for the ''Regia Aeronautica'' during the later years of World War II. Along with the Macchi C.202/C.205 and Fiat G.55, the Reggiane Re.2005 was one of the three ''Serie'' 5 Italian fighters. The lines of the fuselage were aerodynamically efficient, and everything was designed to get the most out of the famous Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine.〔Angelucci and Matricardi 1978, p. 236.〕 The only drawback was a certain structural weakness in the rear section of the fuselage.〔 Only 48 examples had been delivered before the Armistice and these fighters took part in the defence of Naples, Rome and Sicily with the final survivors battling above the crumbling ruins of Berlin, with German insignia.〔Mondey 1996, p. 234.〕 Well-respected ace and military observer, Group Captain Duncan Smith, DSO DFC, stated: "The Re.2005 was altogether a superb, potent aeroplane."〔Smith 1981〕 ==Design and development== The Reggiane 2005 was the last of the Reggiane aircraft line to be built during World War II. The project which started in 1941 was carried out by a team led by Roberto Longhi, and included designers Alessio, Maraschini, Toniolo and Pozzi. Preliminary work was completed before the end of the year despite being a new project, and not simply a revamping of an existing aircraft design such as the Reggiane Re.2002. The DB 605 engine was waiting to be delivered when the airframe was ready in February 1942.〔Sgarlato 2005〕 The resulting machine was not only rated as one of the best Axis wartime aircraft, but also one of the best, if not the best-looking.〔Sgarlato 2005〕 Its semi-elliptical wings, long nose and large tail were all distinctive features of this small, nimble fighter. The prototype MM.494 first flew 9 May 1942, but the day after, a heavy landing led to an undercarriage failure which caused serious damage, and consequently it was unable to fly again until June (MM.494 was damaged two other times in tests). This prototype had four Breda 12.7 mm machine guns and one Mauser cannon and was primarily used for testing, and then for the aerial defense of Naples. After a fierce competition, in which the C.205N was quickly abandoned, and the G.55 was considered better from a production point of view (being only marginally worse as a fighter but much easier to mass produce) the ''Regia Aeronautica'' ordered the production of 750 Re.2005 aircraft. This was an optimistic figure in wartime Italy. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Reggiane Re.2005」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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