What do I need to buy to finish this Fiat G.55 Centauro kit?

The short kit is laser-cut wood parts only. To complete it you'll also need the Paul Byrum plans (free from Outerzone), spars and sheeting, a 35–52cc gas engine or electric equivalent, landing gear, covering, and finishing supplies. There is no cowl or canopy to buy — both are built from the plan.

What engine size does the 86" G.55 Centauro need?

The plan specifies 1.8–3.2 cu in glow, which is roughly 30–52cc in modern gas equivalent. Builders have used the Quadra G-45 and the Zenoah 38 with great results. The plan notes the Quadra 35, 42, Zenoah 38, and Webra Bully as suitable. Any more power than the 3.2 class is noted as probably too much.

Does the G.55 use retracts or fixed gear?

The plan shows fixed gear as standard, but the original article notes the plane tends to be nose-heavy so retracts won't add problematic weight. Multiple builders have fitted Robart retracts successfully. The strut length from the bottom of the wing to the axle should be 6-15/16 inches regardless of which gear type is used.

Kit Cutters Completion Guide

Paul Byrum Giant-Scale Short Kit

86" Fiat G.55 Centauro

Q: What's the finished size and weight of this G.55?

86" wingspan, 1,118 sq in of wing area at 1/5 scale. Finished weight is typically in the 15–20 lb range depending on power system choice. These figures come from Paul Byrum's published G.55 Centauro plan specification.

Italy's finest WWII fighter — the one that could outmaneuver a Spitfire — in giant scale. Guaranteed to be the only one at your field.

Buy the Kit — $564.00 See Everything You Need

Wingspan

86 in

Wing Area

1,118 sq in

Scale

1/5

Power

35–52cc gas

No Cowl

Built-up nose

No Canopy

Ply & acetate

Skill

Advanced

A Legend, Faithfully Cut

The Fiat G.55 Centauro was one of Italy's finest WWII fighters — powered by a license-built Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine (the same powerplant as the Messerschmitt 109G), capable of 400+ mph, and able to outmaneuver a Spitfire. Only a small number were built before Italy's government fell in 1943, making it one of the rarest and most distinctive fighters of the war. Paul Byrum's 86" design was published in RCM magazine in 1997 and has delighted builders ever since with its excellent flying characteristics and one feature that sets it apart from every other giant-scale warbird: no cowl to buy and no canopy to buy.

Kit Cutters supplies the precision laser-cut wood. This guide covers the rest — the honest, model-specific list of what you'll buy to complete it.

86-inch Paul Byrum Fiat G.55 Centauro giant-scale RC warbird in flight

What's in the Box?

Included in the Short Kit

Precision laser-cut wood parts only — ribs, formers, shaped parts
Low-wing rib set and fuselage formers
Slab-side fuselage and strip-planking parts

Required Separately

Plans (free download from Outerzone.co.uk)
Spars, sheeting, strip balsa for planking
Engine (35–52cc gas) or electric equivalent
Landing gear, covering, servos, hardware
Spinner (no separate cowl or canopy purchase needed)

Everything Else You Need to Complete This Kit

The G.55 Centauro is a simpler accessory list than most warbirds — no cowl, no canopy. Both are built from the plan. What you do need is well-sourced and straightforward.

Power System

The plan specifies 1.8–3.2 cu in glow, which converts to roughly 30–52cc in modern gas equivalents. Builders have had great results with the Zenoah 38 and Quadra G-45. The original article notes that any more than the 3.2 class is probably too much for this airframe.

GAS — recommended

Engine	35–52cc gas. Zenoah 38, DA-35, DA-50R, or Quadra 42/45. The plan cites Quadra 35, 42, Zenoah 38, and Webra Bully as proven choices. Confirmed builders have used the Quadra G-45 (ZDZ 40–50 class).	Desert Aircraft
Fuel tank	Sized to engine; positioned carefully — the G.55 tends to be nose-heavy so keep the tank as far aft as possible	Dubro
Spinner	The nose builds up directly to the base of the spinner — spinner size and fit is critical to the finished appearance. Size per engine shaft.	Tru-Turn
Prop	Size per engine; 20"–22" typical for 38–50cc class	Builder preference

ELECTRIC — researched alternative

Motor	~40–50cc class outrunner, 190–230 KV. The G.55's inline engine profile suits electric well — no radial cowl cooling concerns.	Specialty RC retailer
Battery	10S–12S LiPo; position carefully for CG — the G.55 tends nose-heavy so battery placement is important	Specialty RC retailer
ESC	100–130A with generous margin	Specialty RC retailer

CG note from the plan: the G.55 tends to be nose-heavy. Plan the power system, fuel tank (or battery), and ballast placement with this in mind before building. The long nose is a signature feature of the design — it's also why CG management matters here.

Nose & Canopy

No purchase needed

Engine nose	Built up from balsa and ply directly to the spinner base — no separate fiberglass cowl. Plan templates cover all nose formers.	Per plan
Canopy	Built-up ply frame covered with sheet acetate — no vac-formed canopy to source. The result is a clean, light, and easy-to-make canopy.	Per plan

This is one of the most builder-loved aspects of the G.55. As one RCUniverse builder put it: "The best part of the Centauro build is the fact that there is no cowl or canopy to buy." Both are covered in full detail on the plan sheets.

Landing Gear

Fixed or retracts

The plan shows fixed gear as standard, but the original article notes the plane tends to run nose-heavy, so retracts won't upset the balance. Multiple builders have fitted Robart retracts with good results.

Main retracts (recommended)	Robart electric or pneumatic retracts; confirmed by builders. Strut length from wing bottom to axle: 6-15/16" (per plan spec).	Robart
Fixed gear option	Plan shows fixed gear as standard option. If using fixed gear, the original design used Likes Line 1/5 scale gear modified with a larger 1/4" pivot pin.	Per plan / Secondary R/C Market
Tailwheel	Fixed tailwheel per plan spec	Robart / Dubro
Main wheels	4.5" Williams Bros Smooth Contour wheels (original plan spec). Robart equivalent also works.	Robart / specialty

Servos

6 channels

Ailerons	2× 90+ oz-in, ball bearing	Builder preference
Elevators	2× 90+ oz-in, ball bearing	Builder preference
Rudder	1× 120+ oz-in, ball bearing	Builder preference
Flaps	2× 65+ oz-in (split flap design; optional but shown on plan)	Builder preference
Throttle	1× 50 oz-in	Builder preference

The plan shows split flaps as per the full-scale Fiat. They are optional — the original model was built without them — but the builder notes they look good extended on final approach.

Covering & Finishing

Airframe finish	1 oz fiberglass cloth and resin (confirmed by builders); then paint. Pica Gluit recommended for all exterior planking and sheeting (sandable, no ridges).	Chief Aircraft / specialty
Paint	Italian Regia Aeronautica or Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana schemes. The 1944 Italian ANR scheme is popular among builders.	Builder preference

Hardware

Control horns & linkages	Sized per plan; false leading edge construction on all surfaces simplifies linkage routing	Specialty RC retailer
Hinges	Flat hinges; all flying surfaces use a false leading edge per plan	Dubro / specialty

Detailed Specifications

Wingspan	86 in
Wing area	1,118 sq in
Scale	1/5 (stand-off scale)
Power	1.8–3.2 cu in glow / 30–52cc gas equivalent
Airfoil	NACA 2415 (wing); SD 8020 (tail surfaces)
Wing washout	2° at tip (no tip-stall tendency)
Cowl	None — nose built up to spinner base
Canopy	Built-up ply frame + sheet acetate
Gear	Fixed or retract (Robart recommended); strut: 6-15/16" wing to axle
Main wheels	4.5" (Williams Bros Smooth Contour or equivalent)
Flaps	Split flap design (optional — shown on plan)
Min. radio channels	6

Specs from Paul Byrum's published Fiat G.55 Centauro plan (RCM July 1997, available free from Outerzone.co.uk plan ID oz5972). The plan includes the full build article with photos. NACA 2415 wing airfoil is noted as dependable, stable, and acrobatic.

Paul Byrum

Paul Byrum's Fiat G.55 Centauro was published in RCM magazine in July 1997 and has remained one of the most distinctive giant-scale warbird designs available. Its combination of excellent flying characteristics, manageable accessories list, and guaranteed uniqueness at any flying field has earned it a loyal following among experienced builders who want something outside the mainstream.

Plans: free download from Outerzone.co.uk (plan ID oz5972)

Download Free Plans

The Build Journey

The G.55 is described by builders as "not a hard build" — the slab-side fuselage with strip planking goes quickly, and the absence of a cowl and canopy removes two of the most fiddly stages of any warbird build. Treat these ranges as a rough sense of scope, not a fixed estimate.

Where a short kit saves you time

Byrum's plan includes full-size templates for all ribs and formers. A Kit Cutters short kit removes the entire cutting stage — your parts arrive precision laser-cut and labeled, so you start at assembly. The G.55's strip-planked fuselage is the most time-intensive part of the build; having accurate laser-cut formers to build over makes a significant difference.

Plans only (hand-cut)

You trace and cut every rib and former from raw stock, then build the strip-planked fuselage over them.

more time, lower part cost

Short kit (laser-cut)

All formers and ribs arrive laser-cut and labeled. Accurate former shapes make strip-planking much cleaner.

less time, cleaner result

The four stages of assembly

Stage 1: Fuselage Assembly

The G.55's slab-side and strip-planked fuselage — simpler than it looks.

Build slab-side fuselage sides
Add formers and internal structure
Strip-plank the curved sections
Build up the nose to the spinner base

Stage 2: Wing Assembly

Low-wing with NACA 2415 airfoil and false leading edges throughout.

Build the main spar box
Install wing ribs with false leading edges
Fit landing gear mounts
Add optional split flaps

Stage 3: Tail Assembly

SD 8020 airfoil on all tail surfaces — wind-tunnel developed for better tail authority.

Build horizontal stab with false LE
Build elevator surfaces
Assemble fin and rudder
Install tail wheel assembly

Stage 4: Systems & Final Assembly

Engine, canopy, covering — and the satisfying moment of fitting the spinner to the built-up nose.

Install engine / motor
Build ply canopy frame and glaze with acetate
Covering and paint
Verify CG — expect nose-heavy tendency

Frequently Asked Questions

The short kit is laser-cut wood parts only. To complete it you'll also need the Paul Byrum plans (free from Outerzone), spars and sheeting, strip balsa for planking, a 35–52cc gas engine or electric equivalent, landing gear, a spinner, covering, and finishing supplies. There is no cowl or canopy to buy — both are built from the plan.

No — and this is one of the things builders love about this design. The nose is built up from balsa and ply directly to the base of the spinner. There is no separate fiberglass cowl to source or fit. The canopy is similarly built from a ply frame covered with sheet acetate. Simple and clean.

The Paul Byrum Fiat G.55 Centauro plan is a free download from Outerzone.co.uk (plan ID oz5972). The plan was originally published in RCM magazine July 1997 and includes the full build article with photos.

The plan specifies 1.8–3.2 cu in glow, which is roughly 30–52cc in modern gas equivalent. Builders have used the Quadra G-45 and Zenoah 38 with great results. The plan specifically notes that any more power than the 3.2 class is probably too much for this airframe.

The plan shows fixed gear as standard, but the original article notes the plane tends to run nose-heavy so retracts won't upset the balance. Multiple builders have fitted Robart retracts successfully. The strut length from the bottom of the wing to the axle should be 6-15/16 inches.

The Fiat G.55 Centauro was one of Italy's finest WWII fighters — powered by a license-built Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine (same as the Messerschmitt 109G), capable of 400+ mph, and able to outmaneuver a Spitfire. Only small numbers were built before Italy's government fell in 1943, making it one of the rarest and most visually distinctive fighters of the war.

According to both the original plan article and builder reports, it flies very well — smooth and stable with no tendency to tip-stall thanks to 2 degrees of wing washout. The proportions are similar to a modern pattern model with a long tail moment and long nose. Anyone who can fly a standard giant-scale warbird will have no problems with this aircraft.

86" wingspan and 1,118 sq in of wing area at 1/5 scale. Finished weight is typically in the 15–20 lb range depending on power system choice. These figures come from Paul Byrum's published G.55 Centauro plan specification.

Ready to Build Your Fiat G.55 Centauro?

Buy the 86" G.55 Centauro Kit — $564.00

Prices and availability are subject to change — verify on each vendor's site before ordering. Kit Cutters supplies laser-cut wood parts only; plans and accessories are sold by their respective vendors. The Byrum G.55 Centauro plan is a free community download from Outerzone.co.uk.

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