Fiat G.55 Centauro in Service With Syria
The Italian Fiat G.55 Centauro had a brief but interesting post-war career in Middle Eastern air forces, including Syria. Although originally designed as one of Italy’s most capable late-Second World War fighters, in Syrian service it functioned mainly as a transitional aircraft during the early development of the Syrian Air Force.
Acquisition by Syria
In the late 1940s, Syria sought to build a modern air arm amid growing regional tensions following the creation of Israel. As part of this expansion, the country purchased several Italian aircraft types, including the Fiat G.55 and related trainer variants.
Between January and September 1949, Syria received about 12 single-seat Fiat G.55A fighters and one two-seat G.55B trainer, aircraft diverted from Italian production lines originally intended for the Italian Air Force. Some aircraft that eventually reached Syria had complicated export histories, including transfers involving Argentina and Egypt before entering Syrian service.
These aircraft represented some of the Syrian Air Force’s first modern fighters and were acquired alongside other piston-engine types such as the Supermarine Spitfire.
Role in Syrian Service
By the time Syria received the Centauro, the aircraft was no longer a front-line fighter by global standards. Nevertheless, it remained fast, manoeuvrable, and well-armed for regional conditions. Powered by the Fiat RA.1050 R.C.58 engine (licence built DB 605A), the G.55 could reach roughly 620 km/h and typically carried machine guns and cannon armament, although Syrian aircraft often used machine guns in the wings instead of cannon.
In Syrian use, the G.55 served primarily as:
- an advanced fighter trainer
- a secondary fighter aircraft
- a pilot conversion platform for more modern types
The aircraft were reportedly based at Aleppo, where they supported pilot training programmes.
Among those who trained on the type was Hafiz al-Assad, who later became President of Syria.
Operational Context
The Syrian G.55s entered service during the turbulent period following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Aircraft from both Syria and Egypt saw limited involvement in clashes with Israeli forces, though documentation of specific combat missions involving Syrian G.55s is scarce.
The Centauro’s operational life in Syria was short. Rapid technological change in aviation during the early 1950s made piston-engine fighters obsolete. Syria soon transitioned to British-supplied aircraft such as the Gloster Meteor jet fighter, which began arriving in the early 1950s.
Most Syrian G.55s were withdrawn from service by roughly 1953, as jets replaced them in operational roles.
Fiat G.59
Syrian interest in the Centauro led to orders for the Fiat G.59, a Rolls-Royce Merlin-powered development of the G.55. Syria purchased 26 single-seat G.59-2A fighters and several two-seat trainers, extending the service life of the Centauro design into the early jet age.
