C. 205N2

Description

The C.205N2, also known as the "Orione" ("Orion"), was the next development of the C.205V Veltro. During 1942-1943, the Regia Aeronautica requested an upgrade for the C.205. The C.205N1 prototype was created in 1942 with larger wings and a longer fuselage but only armed with 12.7 mm machine guns, and it was not accepted due to its poor armament. In 1943, the second prototype of the C.205N named C.205N2 was produced with a more powerful engine and the addition of a 20 mm cannon inside the crankshaft. Thanks to its improved armament the C.205N2 was accepted by the Regia Aeronautica but due to lack of resources and the Armistice, it was abandoned and remained at the prototype stage.

Introduced along with the initial Italian tech tree in Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica", the C.205N2 is an excellent fighter for both turn-fighting and energy-fighting, being very manoeuvrable both at high speed and low speed. Thanks to the three 20 mm cannons and two 12.7 mm machine guns, destruction of enemy aircraft will only take a few hits, particularly with the anti-aircraft belts that contain many incendiary rounds.

General info

Flight performance

Details

Survivability and armour

• 8 mm Steel plating behind pilot
• 50 mm bullet-proof glass

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Offensive armament

The C. 205N2 is armed with:

• 1 x 20 mm MG 151 cannon, nose-mounted (250 rpg)
• 2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons, wing-mounted (250 rpg = 500 total)
• 2 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, nose-mounted (400 rpg = 800 total)

The two of the cannons are each mounted in wing. A single 20 mm cannon is mounted in the nose of the aircraft, firing through the propeller hub. The two machine guns are nose mounted, positioned between the pilot and the engine of the aircraft. If fired continuously, the wing mounted cannons will run out of ammunition before the nose-mounted cannon.

Usage in battles

The C.205N2 belongs to the select few planes who are good for Boom and Zoom as well as turnfighting, it is an extremely balanced multi-role aircraft. It should be played neither at low altitude nor at high altitude, but in-between at medium altitude. It has no problem dealing with all other fighters at its BR, due to its ability to retain energy well. It can hold its own against Bf 109s, Fw 190s and P-51s. It can fight well against Spitfires (with some skill on the pilot's part).

Manual Engine Control

Pros and cons

Pros:

• High roll rate
• Good firepower
• Good acceleration, top speed and climb rate
• Short turn radius
• Good energy retention in BnZ
• High structural strength
• Lots of ammunition
• Aircraft cooling is very efficient even in hot maps

Cons:

• Roll rate deteriorates and control surfaces stiffen beyond 600 km/h (373 mph)
• Loses its manoeuvrability at low speed

History

The C.205N2 was a further development of the C.205V Veltro, Macchi engineers tried to perfect the C.205V design and they developed the "Orione" variant with 2 different prototypes: the new variants got increased firepower and high-altitude performance. To achieve this, the engineers made the fuselage longer and increased the wingspan of the aircraft and in the second prototype they have adapted the fuselage for a 20 mm cannon within the engine shaft.

C.205N2 (MM.500) on the airfield

The first prototype C.205N1 (MM.499) flew on 1 November 1942 by Guido Carestiato to be later sent to Guidonia Experimental Centre for official evaluation in a fighter competition. After it, the Macchi engineers built the second variant: the C.205N2 (MM.500) was flown 19 May 1943 by Lonate Pozzolo, later also flying to Guidonia for military acceptance testing.

The first prototype C.205N1 was not accepted because the armament was not compliance with official specifications by the Tender Committee, the Macchi C.205N1 armament was armed with one 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon mounted in the fuselage and firing through the hollow hub of the propeller, and four 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns. Meanwhile, the C.205N2 has a pair of wing-mounted 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons instead of the original 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns and a 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon within the engine block.

However, as the war in the Mediterranean was drawing to a close and resources dwindling, the project failed to influence the outcome of the war as it never left prototype stage.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the C. 205N2 from live.warthunder.com.

Images

• 

  C.205N2 Destroying an American B-17

• 

  C.205N2 in formation

• 

  C.205N2 in formation

Videos

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• G.55 (Family)

External links

• [Vehicle Profile] Macchi C.205N2 Orione - "Rome's Shooting Star"
• Official data sheet - more details about the performance