The entry of the Americans into war in December 1941 and the shortcomings of the Italian fighters in comparison with their Allied opponents forced the Mussolini faction regime to seek a modern fighter. At that moment, the only aircraft capable of standing up to the best Anglo-American aircraft were the Messerschmitt Bf-109s and the Dewoitine D-520s seized by the Luftwaffe and freely transferred to Régia Aéronautica. Most Italian aircraft are then unable to sustain an air combat against the RAF Supermarine Spitfires. It is in this context that the firm Macchi will realize what will probably be the best Italian hunter of the whole World War II: the Macchi MC-205 Veltro.
The manufacturer used the same methodology that had led to the design of the MC-202, namely the in-depth modernization of an existing aircraft. To do this, the Italian engineers took a Folgore from the assembly lines and replaced its Alfa-Romeo engine with a Fiat RA-1050, a copy assembled under license from the Daimler-Benz DB-605A Messerschmitt Bf-109. The first static tests demonstrated the need to review the hydraulic systems as well as the flaps and the elevator of the aircraft. After some modifications, the new plane, named MC-205V Veltro (greyhound in French), took the air for the first time. That was on April 19, 1942.
The Macchi MC-205V is a single-seater monoplane with almost the same layout as the Folgore. Its only points of distinction are its motorization and its new components. Compared to its predecessor the Veltro flies higher and faster.
Soon the RAF and the OSS (American Secret Service) realized that they were dealing with a totally new machine. After 29 September 1943, the date of the Italian-American armistice, half a dozen Veltro joined the cobelligerent forces to form the embryo of the pro-American Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana (ANR). These Veltro flew together with the Bell P-39s and the Spitfires offered by the Allies.
The Allies once again had the opportunity to battle the Veltro in January 1944 during the landing on Anzio. Indeed, several North American P-51Ds of the USAAF engaged the fight against two Squadriglia of Veltro remained faithful to the fachist regime. To the great surprise of the Americans, the Italian fighters showed themselves at the height of their counterparts across the Atlantic. The fighting was fierce and eight Macchi hunters were destroyed against five Mustangs. From then on, the Allied pilots were ordered to fight first against these increasingly feared aircraft.
The qualities of the plane began to arouse the interest of the Luftwaffe which recovered a lot of 45 aircraft in order to equip various units, mainly in North Africa and in the Balkans, having lost planes against the Allies. In addition, a growing number of Regia Aeronautica pilots defected with their MC-205Vs to join the ANR.
Veltro's total production reached a modest 262 units, the end of hostilities and the allied bombing of assembly lines. Nevertheless, the Veltro had done more than its primary mission, it had managed to restore courage to the excellent transalpine pilots. It is undeniable that this plane is one of the best machines of the war in air combat, even competing with the stars that are the Mustang or the Spitfire.
The MC-205V has given rise to several improved sub-versions that have not gone beyond the prototype or drawing table stage. The last Italian Veltro flew until 1948, notably under the colors of Alitalia the national airline. They were performing advanced training missions.
Specifications :
Crew: 1 driver
Width: 10.58 m
Length: 8.85 m
Height: 3.04 m
Engine: 1 Fiat RA-1050 engine.
Total power: 1 x 1475 ch.
Weight: 3400 kg
Max. : 645 km / h to 5700 m
Practical ceiling: 12500 m
Max. : 1100 Km at maximum load
Armament: 2 guns of 20mm
Two 12.7mm machine guns
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