Hello everyone, this is Showtime112. Macchi C.205 was the ultimate achievement in Italian World War II fighter
design. Early Italian fighters suffered from lack of power and the solution was found in a
license-built German Daimler-Benz DB-601 engine. Macchi modified their earlier C.200 for the
new engine and the result was C.202 Folgore. The airplane had a greatly improved
performance although it still lacked firepower. As the Allied air power grew, Regia
Aeronautica required another improvement and the solution was found in an even
more powerful Daimler-Benz DB-605 engine. This powerplant with the output of 1475 HP
was installed in an airframe based very closely on the previous model and
the result was Macchi C.205V Veltro or Greyhound. The initial series one still lacked
firepower with only four machine guns, while the later series had two Mauser
20 millimeter cannons in the wings. The first deliveries began in October
1942 but due to various difficulties only 177 of these fighters were produced
before the Armistice of September 1943. Despite its qualities, the Veltro couldn't make any
significant impact in the fight against the Allies. But World War II was not the final
engagement for this Italian fighter. In 1947 Macchi relaunched the production of the C.205 using the surviving components but also
converting some existing C.202s into C.205s. When an Egyptian delegation inquired about a
possible fighter purchase, the Italians were able to offer the Macchi fighter along
with another similar design, Fiat G.55. The Egyptians ordered both models. The total order for the C.205 was 80 examples. Most
of them reconditioned C.202s. Only 15 of those were delivered before the end of the first Arab-Israeli
War but they were heavily involved in the fighting. Five of them were newly built
models and 10 were converted C.202s. The airplanes arrived to Egypt in crates, they
were then assembled and given a camouflage paint very similar to RAF's Desert Air
Force. They were delivered to the number 2 Squadron based at al-Arish air base in
the Sinai Peninsula. This unit also operated Spitfires while another squadron in the same
base was receiving Fiat G.55s at the time. There are indications that the Macchis
first encountered Israeli Air Force as early as 21 October 1948, but the first
official combat took place on 22nd of December. Israelis launched a major offensive and they
were trying to put pressure on Egyptian air bases in Sinai. Two Israeli pilots, Rudy Augarten
and Jack Doyle were on an armed recon mission over al-Arish in their Spitfires. Both were
World War II veterans. Augarten flew P-47 Thunderbolts and was credited with shooting down
two German aircraft. Doyle flew Spitfires for the Royal Canadian Air Force and was credited
with victories against four Axis aircraft. Augarten spotted a dark shape through the noonday
haze flying near the Egyptian airbase. This wasn't a Spitfire and Israeli pilots knew
that Egypt had introduced new Italian fighters. One of them was in the traffic
pattern at al-Aarish, about to land. Augarten placed himself behind the
Egyptian fighter and opened fire. The engagement was over quickly. Flt Lt Shalabi al-Hinnawi was
seriously wounded in his head and legs but still managed to crash land
his Macchi fighter near the runway. Unlike the Egyptian pilot, the anti-aircraft
gunners were not caught by surprise and they opened fire at Augarten's spitfire which
stayed fast and low until well clear of the base. Augerten was credited with
a kill of a 'Fiat' fighter. Israeli pilots would often confuse the two
Italian types and in most cases they referred to them as 'Fiats' even though Egyptians
used the Macchi fighter much more frequently. The next day, 23rd of December saw an
Egyptian attack on Israeli Tel Nof Airfield. Several C.205s participated
along with some Spitfires. The attack was unopposed by Israeli fighters
but other than that, no other details are known. 28 December 1948 saw the next clash between
Egyptian Macchis and Israeli fighters. Two Israeli Spitfires flown
by Jack Doyle and Gordon Levett encountered a number of Egyptian C.205s
and a single Spitfire over Gaza Strip. Levett was the only English non-Jew who joined
the Israeli Air Force in the Independence War. Both sides apparently overclaimed in the
dogfight which developed. Israeli side was credited with three kills, Jack Doyle with a Macchi
and Gordon Levett with a Macchi and a Spitfire. Egyptian side claimed downing of two
Israeli aircraft with two others damaged. One of the damaged aircraft
was supposedly an Avia S-199. Egypt admitted the loss of one Macchi flown by Pilot Officer Abed Fatah Said whose
aircraft crashed into the sea. It seems like there was only one certain kill in this battle, the Macchi flown by Pilot
Officer Said who was shot down by Doyle. Israeli records don't indicate that any of the Spitfires were damaged and no sortie by
S-199s was taken on that day. On 30 December two Macchis flown
by Egyptian number 5 squadron commander Sqdn Ldr Kamal Abd al-Wahab and Flt Lt Khalif al-Arusi attacked the Israeli ground
positions at Abu Ageila in the Sinai. But as they were circling low over
the encampment, they were bounced by two Israeli Spitfires flown
by Jack Doyle and John McElroy. Just like Doyle, McElroy was a WWII veteran
who had flown for the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was credited with 11
victories against the Luftwaffe. Jack Doyle approached one of the Macchis
and opened fire from about 200 yards. The Egyptian Macchi started trailing smoke
and soon dropped off towards the desert. John McElroy attacked the second Macchi
as it was pulling away from a strafing run, But this Egyptian pilot demonstrated
serious skill and aggression. He managed to evade McElroy's fire and after some maneuvering placed himself
on the tail of Jack Doyle. McElroy fired a long burst at the Macchi
which then turned back into his Spitfire. The pair initiated a high-g dogfight. Despite the obvious skill of the Egyptian pilot, McIEroy was able to work
his way behind the Macchi's tail. He opened fire and his hits
sent the Egyptian fighter into an uncontrolled dive towards the desert. Neither of the two Egyptian
pilots survived the encounter. Again, Israeli pilots reported
fighting Fiats instead of Macchis. Doyle and McElroy were surprised by
the skills and aggressive attitude of the second Egyptian pilot, something
which they generally didn't demonstrate. This led to speculation of Egypt hiring ex
Luftwaffe or even American Pilots to fly for them . But these speculations were never confirmed and it
is now believed that all of the Egyptian airplanes were flown by Egyptian pilots. This was part one
of our video about Macchi C.205V in Egyptian service. Be sure to press the like button if you enjoyed
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