B.Or.803 engine delivering 4,846lb st, a new
undercarriage and four Colt-Browning M3
12.7mm machine guns.
The third (NC.2, MM.566) and fourth (NC.3,
MM.567) prototypes were sent to France
and, at the Centre d’Essais en Vol at Brétigny,
participated in the NATO final selection trials.
They took place between September 15
and October 5, 1957. The G.91 proved to
be superior to all the other competitors (the
French Barodeur, Etendard VI and Taon
projects) and, in January 1958, was declared
the winner.WEST GERMANY
Thanks to American Mutual Defense
Assistance Act (MDAP) financing, Fiat
was ordered to produce 50 aircraft for Italy
(including the 27 pre-series machines), plus
50 each for France, West Germany, Greece,
Turkey, and Norway. However, in spite of
impressive performances, demonstrated by
the Italian Air Force in a series of operational
trials, conducted between August 1958 and
April 1959, no other NATO air forces (but West
Germany) decided to adopt the new aircraft.
France cancelled its order, Greece, Turkey
and Norway turned their attention to the new
US-built Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter, while
the UK showed no interest at all in the Italian
aircraft.
The only foreign customer of new aircraft
was West Germany, which was very interested
in resurrecting its aviation industry through a
licensed-production programme. On March 11,
1959 the West German government announced
its decision to adopt the G.91, in its R/3 version.
The G.91 was tested also in the United
States, by the US Army, which was hoping
to establish its own fixed-wing fleet for CAS,
forward air control and reconnaissance. Two
G.91R/1s, one G.91R/3 and one G.91T were
sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama, in January
1961 for evaluation. The programme was later
passed to the USAF, but no further interest
was forthcoming, and the aircraft returned to
Italy.
The 27 pre-series aircraft were followed by
23 units of the G.91R/1 model and then by 25
G.91R/1A, plus 50 G.91R/1B. Production was
by collaboration between Fiat and Aerfer that,
in 1969, merged to establish Aeritalia.
In 1965 the Luftwaffe decided to retire its
G.91R/4s, and this gave the opportunity of a
deal with the Portuguese Air Force which since
1961 had shown interest in the aircraft. The
Germans were authorised to build and use a
new airbase and air-to-ground range in Portugal
(at Beja), with the offset of 40 G.91R/4s for
Portugal. The first aircraft arrived in Portugal
in December 1965 and were assigned to
Esquadra 51 at Monte Real air base.
In 1975 the Luftwaffe started to retire its
G.91R/3s – supplying 20 of them and six
G.91T/3s to Portugal. In 1980 and 1982 more
aircraft were delivered from West Germany:
13 G.91R/3s, four G.91T/3s and 53 non-flying
airframes for spare parts. Two more followed
in 1986-1987. The last flight of a Portuguese
G.91R took place on June 17, 1993.The new G.91Ys of 101° Gruppo from 8° Stormo were officially introduced to authorities and
press on January 23, 1971, at the Cervia home base. Alenia Aeronautica via Riccardo NiccoliFiat G.91 MM.6240 (code 2-40) from 14° Gruppo of 2° Aerobrigata at Treviso in June 1960, during
re-arming and refuelling operations. Italian Air Force – Troupe Azzurra via Riccardo NiccoliThe Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team flying above the Dolomites in February 1973. Italian Air
Force – Troupe Azzurra via Riccardo Niccoli50 Aviation News incorporating Jets February 201848-54_fiatDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.indd 50 08/01/2018 16:54