ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ITALIAN FIGHTER AIRCRAFT 1939-1945

LAST COPY — OUT OF PRINT AT THE PUBLISHER

Often poorly known and underestimated, the Italian fighters that flew during the Second World War were by no means unworthy. It is easy to forget that the Italian aeronautical industry was one of the foremost in the world during the interwar period, and that the output of its great names such as Fiat and Caproni was successfully exported.

Widely present in South America, Italian-built fighters were universally praised there for their robustness and reliability — a reputation that was borne out in the first engagements in Europe. The famous CR 42, beloved for its manoeuvrability, was present in every theatre of operations despite being a biplane; the Macchi range, with its elegantly curved lines, won great distinction in the fighting in North Africa and then in Italy. And not to be forgotten are the Reggiane aircraft — more or less appreciated in Italy but a genuine export success (the British ordered 300 examples in January 1940 before the contract was cancelled) — which displayed technical characteristics second to none compared to their Allied and German counterparts.

The work also takes a detour through the air forces of the Republic of Salò (ANR), Mussolini's final convulsion, and its use of excellent aircraft such as the G.55 Centauro. Enriched with previously unpublished photographs and numerous colour profiles, here is the indispensable encyclopedia to finally (re)discover and understand the Italian fighters of the Second World War!