Stormo! Magazine has released a pair of 1:48 decal sheets devoted to the G.55 Centauro. Both sheets are designed by Vince Tassone, researched together with Stefano Lazzaro.

Fiat G.55 Italian Aces Part 1

Part 1 includes decals for eight aircraft, including five flown by aces:

1. G.55 2nd prototype MM.492

2. G.55 Sottoserie 0, MM.91059 flown by s.ten. Osvaldo Bartolozzi, 353a Squadriglia, 20o Gruppo, 51o Stormo CT, Rome-Ciampino, August 1943

3. G.55 Sottoserie 0, MM.91067

4. G.55 Sottoserie 0, MM.91073 flown by s.ten. Agostino Celentano, Squadriglia Complementare "Montefusco", Venaria-Reale, January 1944

5. G.55 Sottoserie 0, MM.91065 flown by cap. Giovanni Bonet, Squadriglia Complementare "Montefusco", Venaria-Reale, March 1944

6. G.55 Sottoserie 0, MM.91060 flown by cap. Giulio Torresi, Squadriglia Complementare "Montefusco-Bonet", Venaria-Reale, April 1944

7. G.55 Sottoserie 0, MM.91072 flown by mar. Ennio Tarantola, Squadriglia Complementare "Montefusco-Bonet", Venaria-Reale, April 1944

8. G.55 Sottoserie I, MM.91097, Squadriglia Complementare "Montefusco-Bonet", Venaria-Reale, April 1944

Fiat G.55 Italian Aces Part 2

Part 2 covers a further nine aircraft, mostly later production machines, three of them flown by aces:

1. G.55 Serie I MM.91089 flown by serg. m. Attilio Sanson, 2a Squadriglia, 2o Gruppo, Bresso, April 1944

2. G.55 Serie I, MM.91084, 1a Squadriglia, 2o Gruppo, Bresso, April 1944

3. G.55 Serie I, Blue 5, 1a Squadriglia, 2o Gruppo, Bresso, April 1944

4. G.55 Sottoserie 0, Blue 11, 1a Squadriglia, 2o Gruppo, Lonate Pozzolo, May 1944

5. G.55 Serie I, MM.91077 flown by cap. Ugo Draco, 1a Squadriglia, 2o Gruppo, Cascina Vaga, May 1944

6. G.55 Serie I, Yellow 7, 2a Squadriglia, 2o Gruppo, Cascina Vaga, May 1944

7. G.55 Serie I, Yellow 5, flown by serg. m. Attilio Sanson, 2a Squadriglia, 2o Gruppo, Cascina Vaga, May 1944

8. G.55 Serie I, Black 6, 1a Squadriglia, 2o Gruppo, Cascina Vaga, May 1944

9. G.55 Serie I, White 1, 3a Squadriglia, 2o Gruppo, Cascina Vaga, May 1944

As you can see, there's a radical difference in the colour schemes offered in the two sets. Part 1 mostly features the classic Verde Olivia 2 topsides, while Part 2 includes the striking experimental splinter camouflage introduced by 1a Squadriglia, 2o Gruppo, plus Luftwaffe-style schemes using RLM paints.

The decals themselves are printed by Cartograf to their usual exceptional standard, with pin-sharp registration on the glossy items. Excess carrier film is kept to a minimum and the colour density looks excellent. Both sheets feature enough national insignia to complete multiple models, making them very good value for money and ideal for group builds or for anyone building a collection of Centauros.  

The decals are accompanied by excellent colour profiles and plan views, with comprehensive notes on each scheme. Matches are provided for the original Regia Aeronautica and ANR paint names, CMPR and Vito chart matches (reproduced on Stormo!'s website) plus the nearest FS equivalents.

The instructions also include a very useful written guide on how to apply decals successfully, with clear general advice and an explanation of how to use decaling solutions.

Both sets are available from  Stormo! Magazine now:

Item #48010 - Fiat G.55 Italian Aces Part 1 - Price $21.99

Item #48011 - Fiat G.55 Italian Aces Part 2 - Price $23.99

Many thanks to Vince Tassone at Stormo! Magazine for providing the samples for review.

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