https://community.gaijin.net/issues/p/warthunder/i/CQMp8ULAnVQY


RE 2005 – MM 495
This morning in Guidonia, Col. Tondi carried out a first climb and speed test with the old propeller; tomorrow morning a second test will be conducted with the Macchi propeller fitted with German blades.
On May 5, 1943, while the Experimental Center continued the construction of the “zero” series aircraft (six of which had already made their first flights), a request arrived from the Ministry to install a landing light on the left wing of the RE 2005. In a letter dated June 25, signed by Technical Director Eng. Arnaldo Vischi and Procurator Eng. Giuseppe Bonomi, Reggiane informed the Ministry that on the 21st of the same month they had delivered to Lt. Col. Ercolani the drawings related to the installation, and that they were awaiting instructions to know from which aircraft the mounting should begin.
With a telegram dated August 4, 1943, the Ministry asked Costaereo “to arrange that the first Sagittario complete with the landing light installation be transported to Guidonia for inspection.”
On the second prototype of the aircraft (MM 495), the engine was replaced (as requested on April 12, 1943, by the Air Force General Staff). The aircraft, equipped with a special German engine and propeller, made its first flight on June 10, 1943. This modification had also been urged by the German authorities, who were interested in conducting tests on that aircraft. In the Reggiane flight log, next to that flight, it is noted: “First factory flight after engine replacement.”
In fact, the RE 2005 – MM 495 had made its first flight at the end of October 1942, with a standard engine and propeller, before being sent to Guidonia for tests, where it failed to demonstrate its full potential due to engine troubles. In March 1943, still at Guidonia, the aircraft also carried out tests with a propeller equipped with German blades.
In addition to the 25-minute flight of June 10, the MM 495 took off from Reggio five more times, piloted by De Prato: on June 28 (20 minutes), on July 2 (twice, for engine pressure recovery tests—15 and 20 minutes), and on July 9 and 12, for 20 and 15 minutes respectively.
This example was fitted with an original German DB 605-A1 engine, with a different compression ratio, an MW system for water and alcohol injection, and an original German VDM propeller.
The test results were astonishing, and all the performance figures obtained from the first prototype were improved. During these tests, a German pilot assured us that the airspeed indicator needle had reached 720 km/h in level flight