Fiat G.91 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fiat G.91
Training variant of the Fiat G.91, the G.91T.
Role	Light fighter jet and training aircraft
National origin	Italy
Manufacturer	Fiat
First flight	1956
Introduction	1958
Status	Out of service
Primary user	Italian Air Force
Number built	more than 600 examples

The Fiat G.91 was a special jet designed and built in Italy. It was created to be a light fighter and training aircraft for NATO countries. This plane was used by the air forces of Germany, Italy, and Portugal. It was a very important aircraft during the Cold War era.

Why the G.91 Was Built

During the 1950s, NATO needed a new type of military aircraft. They wanted a small, simple, and affordable jet. This jet needed to be able to fly from rough airfields. It also had to be good at supporting ground troops. This kind of plane is called a "light attack fighter."

NATO's Special Request

NATO launched a competition for this new aircraft. Many companies from different countries submitted their designs. The Fiat G.91, designed by Italian engineer Giuseppe Gabrielli, won this competition. It was chosen because it met all of NATO's requirements. This was a big deal for Italian aviation.

Design and Features

The Fiat G.91 was a single-engine jet. It had a low-wing design, meaning its wings were attached low on the fuselage. This design helped it fly well at low altitudes. It was also quite small and nimble. This made it easy to fly and maneuver.

Engine Power

The G.91 was powered by a single Bristol Siddeley Orpheus jet engine. This engine was known for being reliable. It gave the G.91 enough power for its missions. The plane could fly fast and carry weapons.

Weapons and Equipment

The G.91 could carry different types of weapons. These included machine guns, bombs, and rockets. It also had special cameras for taking pictures. This made it useful for both fighting and scouting missions. Some versions were also used for training pilots.

Who Used the G.91?

The Fiat G.91 was mainly used by three countries. These were Italy, Germany, and Portugal. Each country used the G.91 for slightly different roles.

Italy's Air Force

The Italian Air Force was the first to use the G.91. They used it as a light attack aircraft. They also used it for training new pilots. The G.91T was a special two-seat version for training. It helped many Italian pilots learn to fly jets.

Germany's Luftwaffe

The Luftwaffe, which is Germany's air force, also used the G.91 a lot. They used it for ground attack missions. This meant attacking targets on the ground. The G.91 was very important for their defense during the Cold War.

Portugal's Air Force

Portugal's Air Force used the G.91 in their overseas territories. They used it for combat missions. The G.91 proved to be a tough and reliable aircraft in these operations. It served Portugal for many years.

End of Service

The Fiat G.91 served for several decades. However, as technology advanced, newer and more powerful jets were developed. The G.91 eventually became outdated. It was slowly replaced by modern aircraft. Today, the Fiat G.91 is no longer in active service. Many examples are now preserved in museums around the world. They remind us of its important role in aviation history.

Images for kids

• 

  A preserved G.91 on display at Seattle's Museum of Flight. Note the Frecce Tricolori's colors

• 

  The cockpit of a G-91 R1 in the Istituto Tecnico Industriale Aeronautico, Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

• 

  A G-91 R1 in the Istituto Tecnico Industriale Aeronautico, Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, 2007

• 

  Fiat G.91R/3 of LeKG 43 of the Luftwaffe in 1971

• 

  Portuguese Air Force G-91 preserved at Sintra Air Base

• 

  An Italian trainer Fiat G.91T of the 60° Stormo (60th Wing) is parked on the flight line while transiting Bitburg Air Base, Rhineland-Palatinate, West Germany, 1988

• 

  A German G.91, equipped for towing aerial targets, at Hohn, Schleswig-Holstein, West Germany, April 1986

• 

  Fiat G.91R/1B at the Malta Aviation Museum

• 

  A Portuguese G.91R/3 on static display at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, England, during the International Air Tattoo (IAT), July 1993

• 

  Operators of the G.91 in dark blue, cancelled orders in light blue, evaluations in yellow

• 

  Close up of an Orpheus engine installed on a Fiat G.91 with the rear section removed

• 

  A Matra Type 116M rocket launcher mounted on a G.91 on display at the Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr, Berlin

See also

In Spanish: Fiat G.91 para niños