Fiat G.46
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2009) |
| G.46 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Military trainer |
| Manufacturer | Fiat |
| Designer | Giuseppe Gabrielli |
| First flight | 25 June 1947 |
| Primary user | Aeronautica Militare |
| Number built | 223[1] |
The Fiat G.46 was a military trainer developed in Italy shortly after World War II.
Design and development
The G.46 was a conventional, low-wing monoplane with tailwheel undercarriage, the main units of which retracted inwards. The pilot and instructor sat in tandem under a long canopy.[2] The first prototype, powered by a 205 hp (153 kW) Alfa Romeo 115-Ibis engine, made its maiden flight on 25 June 1947.[3]
Testing revealed excellent flying characteristics and suitability for aerobatics, and the type was ordered into production.
Apart from the 150 ordered by the Aeronautica Militare, 70 aircraft were exported, to Austria, Argentina and Syria.
Variants
- G.46-1B
- two-seater with Alfa Romeo 115bis engine, one prototype and initial production of 25 for the Italian Air Force.
- G.46-2B
- two-seater with de Havilland Gipsy Queen engine for the Argentine Air Force, 70 built with an additional 12 for the Syrian Air Force.
- G.46-3B
- two-seater with Alfa Romeo 115ter engine for the Italian Air Force, 25 built.
- G.46-4B
- two-seater with Alfa Romeo 115ter engine for the Italian Air Force, 55 built.
- G.46-5B
- two-seat navigation trainer (prototype only)
- G.46-4A
- single-seater with Alfa Romeo 115ter engine for the Italian Air Force, 35 built.
Operators
- Argentine Air Force operated 70 Fiat G.46[4]
- Austrian Air Force operated five former Italian Air Force G-46Bs.
- Italian Air Force operated 141 Fiat G.46 from 1949 until 1960[1]
- Syrian Air Force operated 12 G-46Bs
Survivors
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- An ex-Argentine Air Force aircraft is displayed at the Museo Nacional de Aeronautica de Argentina.[5]
- A flightworthy G-46-3B which has been converted to a single-seat aircraft is on display at the Frasca Air Museum in Champagne, Illinois. The aircraft was originally in the service of the Italian air force.
- A G-46-3B is currently on display and undergoing restoration to airworthy at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia.[6]
Specifications (G.46-4B)
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1953–54[7]
General characteristics
- Crew: two, pilot and instructor
Performance
References
Notes
- ^ a b Aerei Italiani
- ^ Vigna Air International July 1995, p. 40.
- ^ Vigna Air International July 1995, p. 36.
- ^ Official website Aeronautica Militare Archived 2014-12-13 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ FERNANDEZ VIVAS, Leandro. "Un millón de personas visitaron el Argentina Air Fest 2010". Rumbos Aeronauticos (Issue 18, Year 9) (in Spanish). Fuerza Aerea Argentina. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
- ^ "Military Aviation Museum l WWII Aircraft". www.militaryaviationmuseum.org. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
- ^ Bridgman 1953, p. 161.
Bibliography
- Bridgman, Leonard (1953). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1953–54. London: Jane's All The World's Aircraft Publishing Company.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 389.
- Vigna, Achille (July 1995). "Juan Peron's Gift to Italy". Air International. Vol. 49, no. 1. pp. 38–42. ISSN 0306-5634.
- "File 894 Sheet 22". World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fiat G.46.