- Yes
- No
Description: The Fiat G59 was an Italian post-war fighter derivated from the already existing G55 made by the Italian company Fiat. After the Second World War, the Italian Air Force asked Fiat to develop a new fighter based on the glorious WW2 fighter. And so Fiat started to study which engine could fit the G55 body in order to satisfy the Air Force request. Initially, Fiat studied using the Isotta-Fraschini Delta RC.40, but the idea was scrapped, and the Rolls-Royce Merlin was selected. The first prototype, made in 1948, was a twin-seat G55 with a Merlin engine from one of the P51s of the Italian Air Force. The ITAF was satisfied with the new aircraft and proceeded to place an initial order for 30 units. The first version, equipped with the Merlin 500/200, was designated as G59 1A–G59 1B and entered service in 1950. It was mainly used to train new pilots for jet aircraft. The second version, designated G59 2B, was a twin-seat version made for training, with 19 units being produced after 1950. The first armed version was the third one, the G59 A/2. This version, originally developed to satisfy an order emitted by the Syrian Air Force, was equipped with 4x 20 mm Hispano Suiza 20 mm cannons and two pilons for bombs and fuel tanks. A total of 30 units of this version were produced; 26 were bought by the Sirian Air Force, and the remaining 10 were bought by the Italian Air Force. Later, one was bought by Argentina for a test porpoise. But the most produced version was the last one, the G59-4A/4B. This version was made in a single- and two-seat version, with one of the main notable differences being the canopy. Compared to the previous version, which had the canopy of the normal G55, the A4 had a bubble canopy. A total of 40 units (30 A4 and 10 4B) were produced, and all entered into service with the Italian Air Force in the latest months of 1951. Those were used as trainers (like all the others G59 in Italian service) and were replaced in the early 1970s by the Mb326. This version in the specific could be armed with 4x 20 mm Hispano Suiza cannons and two pilons for bombs and fuel tanks (same armaments as the 2A version).
Why it should be in game: Like the G59 2A it could be a good fighter in the line before the G55. Since they are very similar, one could go to the line while the other one could be placed in the premium line.
Specifications
Riepilogo
Sources
Riepilogo
STORMO! Special Hobby + Italian Kits 1/72 FIAT G.59-4A by Philippe Martin
SI VIS PACEM, PARA BELLUM: Il Fiat G.59 fu un aereo da addestramento monomotore monoplano ad ala bassa a sbalzo, derivato dai precedenti G.55 Centauro e G.56
Fiat G.59 (Centauro) Fighter / Fighter-Trainer / Advanced Trainer Aircraft Specifications and Pictures
Fiat G.59-4A volo Mascellani – OKB01
Fiat G.59-4A terra – OKB01
FIAT Aviation Brochure 1956
Pictures
