Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario - Sagittarius

National origin:- Italy

Role:- Fighter

Manufacturer:- Reggiane

Designer: Giuseppe Gabrielli

First flight:- 9th May 1942

Introduction:- April/May 1943

Retired:- 1945

Primary users:-   Regia Aeronautica,   Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana,  Luftwaffe

Produced between September 1942 - May 1944

Number built 48

The Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario (English: Archer, Sagittarius) was an Italian monoplane fighter/fighter-bomber produced for the Regia Aeronautica during the later years of World War II. It is considered by many to be 'the most beautiful plane of the Second World War'. 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 well balanced lines of the fuselage were aerodynamically perfect, and everything was designed to get the most out of the famous Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine. 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. Well-respected ace and military observer, Group Captain Duncan Smith, DSO DFC, stated: 'The Re.2005 was altogether a superb, potent aeroplane.'