TECHNICAL VIEW
The G.91 was a single-engine, single-seat
monoplane with a 37° swept low wing, with
slotted flaps, and an engine air intake located
under a pointed nose. Tailplane was cruciform
and swept, while the undercarriage was
tricycle and retractable. The wing had two
pylons, each able to carry a 500lb (227kg)
load. The engine was a FIAT 4023.02
(licence-built Orpheus 803.02), delivering
5,000lb st. Instruments were mainly a tactical
air navigation system (TACAN), IFF and UHF
radios, while the fixed armament included four
M3 machine guns, each with 300 rounds, fitted
in removable panels located either side on the
front fuselage, for quick re-arming.
Other stores included M46 and Mk.82
500lb bombs, HVAR rockets, Orione rocket
pod, napalm containers and 260 lit auxiliary
fuel tanks. The first 30 aircraft had a
distinctive pointy nose, however upgrades
saw this changed.
The introduction of a new nose,
accommodating three 70mm Vinten cameras
(two lateral and one forward-facing), gave a
reconnaissance capability. The conversion
was introduced in three pre-series aircraft
and then confirmed in the following series
production, which was designated G.91R/1.
The G.91R/1A featured improved
instruments, including a Bendix Doppler radar
and a position and homing indicator (PHI), the
same as requested by the West Germans on
their R/3.The G.91R/1B benefitted from a reinforced
airframe, more powerful brakes, inner-
tube free tyres, two landing lights on the
nose undercarriage leg and other minor
improvements.
A final version for Italy was the G.91PAN,
destined to be assigned to the PattugliaAcrobatica Nazionale ‘Frecce Tricolori’,
the national aerobatic team. The PAN
aircraft were selected from the original
G.91s with the pointy nose, modified with
a Fiat-built engine, smoke-generating kits,
ballast weight inside the armament panels
and modifications to desensitize the flight
controls, including the addition of a pitch
damper. In total, over the years, some 21
pre-series aircraft were modified to PAN
standard, plus some R models, in the late
period.Other variants were studied, but never
entered production.OPERATIONS
The first AM unit to operate the G.91 was the
flying test wing, Reparto Sperimentale Volo
(RSV), which from March 1958 built up a test
and evaluation programme using five of the
first G.91s. The first squadron selected to
convert on the new aircraft was 103° Gruppo
from 5a Aerobrigata, a unit flying the F-84F
from Rimini air base.
It was moved to Pratica di Mare to
undertake the conversion with the support of
the test wing. The first flight of a 103° Gruppo
pilot on the G.91 occurred on August 20, 1958.
During this period, the squadron operated
also from unpaved airstrips at the Frosinone,
Furbara and Guidonia airfields. On February
1, 1959 the General Staff ordered the re-
assignment of 12 G.91s from the test wing to
the 103° Gruppo.
In April, the squadron deployed to the
range at Maniago, to continue operational test
and evaluation (OT&E) from unpaved strips
with the newly established Raggruppamento
Supporto Mobile (mobile support group).
On June 9, 1959, 103° Gruppo relocated
to its new home base, Treviso Sant’Angelo,
returning to the control of the 5a Aerobrigata.
In the meantime, a second squadron was
ready to convert: 14° Gruppo from 2a
Aerobrigata, flying the F-86E.
Transition began in February 1960, whileFour G.91Ys from 13° Gruppo in formation
over the Adriatic Sea. Italian Air Force – Troupe
Azzurra via Riccardo Niccolihttp://www.aviation-news.co.uk 51‘The G.91Y squadrons’
job was low-level
interdiction, CAS,
reconnaissance and
tactical support to
maritime operations
(TASMO)’
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