Fiat G.46 Explained

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.^[1] The first prototype, powered by a 205hp Alfa Romeo 115-Ibis engine, made its maiden flight on 25 June 1947.^[2]

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

Argentina

Argentine Air Force operated 70 Fiat G.46^[3]

Austria

Austrian Air Force operated five former Italian Air Force G-46Bs.^[4]

Italy

Italian Air Force operated 141 Fiat G.46 from 1949 until 1960

Syrian Air Force operated 12 G.46-2B aircraft.

Surviving aircraft

An ex-Argentine Air Force aircraft is displayed at the Museo Nacional de Aeronautica de Argentina.^[5]
An ex-Argentine Air Force aircraft is displayed at the Plaza de los Aviadores (Aviators Square) in Ciudad Jardin Lomas del Palomar, Buenos Aires.
A flightworthy G-46-3B which has been converted to a single-seat aircraft is on display at the Frasca Air Museum in Champaign, 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]

References

Bibliography

Book: Bridgman, Leonard. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1953–54. 1953 . Jane's All The World's Aircraft Publishing Company. London .
Book: Taylor, Michael J. H. . Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation . 1989 . Studio Editions . London . 389 .
Vigna. Achille. Juan Peron's Gift to Italy. Air International. July 1995. 49. 1. 38–42. 0306-5634.
Book: World Aircraft Information Files . Bright Star Publishing. London . File 894 Sheet 22 .

External links

Notes and References

Vigna Air International July 1995, p. 40.
Vigna Air International July 1995, p. 36.
http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/museoVdV/collezione_aeromobili/hangarBadoni/Pagine/FiatG46.aspx Official website Aeronautica Militare
Web site: All-Time Aircraft Used List | Austrian Air Force.
Web site: Un millón de personas visitaron el Argentina Air Fest 2010 . FERNANDEZ VIVAS . Leandro . es . Rumbos Aeronauticos (Issue 18, Year 9) . Fuerza Aerea Argentina . 2016-07-27 . 2016-08-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160817023838/http://www.eam.iua.edu.ar/rumbos/Revista-18/RevistaRumbos18-Nota8.htm . dead .
Web site: Military Aviation Museum l WWII Aircraft. www.militaryaviationmuseum.org. 2017-03-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20131009074012/http://militaryaviationmuseum.org/ww2-aircraft.html. 2013-10-09. dead.