The Fiat (later Aeritalia) G.91Y is an Italian ground-attack and reconnaissance aircraft which first flew in 1966. Although resembling its predecessor, the Fiat G.91, the aircraft was in fact a complete redesign, a major difference being that it was equipped with a new twin-engine configuration, replacing the original single engine.
The G.91Y was an increased-performance version of the Fiat G.91 funded by the Italian government. Based on the G.91T two-seat trainer variant, the single Bristol Orpheusturbojet engine of this aircraft was replaced by two afterburningGeneral Electric J85 turbojets which increased thrust by 60% over the single-engined variant.[2] Structural modifications to reduce airframe weight increased performance further and an additional fuel tank occupying the space of the G.91T's rear seat provided extra range. Combat manoeuvrability was improved with the addition of automatic leading edge slats.[2]
The avionics equipment of the G.91Y was considerably upgraded with many of the American, British and Canadian systems being licence-manufactured in Italy.[2]
Flight testing of three pre-production aircraft was successful, with one aircraft reaching a maximum speed of Mach 0.98. Airframe buffeting was noted and subsequently rectified in production aircraft by raising the position of the tailplane slightly.
ProductionEdit
An initial order of 55 aircraft for the Italian Air Force was completed by Fiat in March 1971, by which time the company had changed its name to Aeritalia (from 1969, when Fiat aviazione merged with Aerfer). The order was increased to 75 aircraft with 67 eventually being delivered. In fact, the development of the new G.91Y was quite long, with the first order being for about 20 pre-series examples that followed the two prototypes. The first pre-series 'Yankee' (the nickname of the new aircraft) flew in July 1968.
AMI (Italian Air Force) placed orders for two batches; 35 fighters followed by another 20, later cut to 10. The last one was delivered around mid 1976, making a total of two prototypes, 20 pre-series and 45 series aircraft. No export success followed. These aircraft served with 101° Gruppo/8° Stormo (Cervia-S.Giorgio) from 1970, and later, from 1974, they served with the 13° Gruppo/32° Stormo (Brindisi).[3] Those 'Gruppi' (Italian equivalent of British 'squadrons', usually equipped with 18 aircraft) lasted until the early '90s, as the only ones equipped with the 'Yankee', using them as attack/reconnaissance machines, both over ground and sea, until the AMX replaced them.
G.91YS - Prototype with enhanced avionics and extra hardpoints to carry AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for evaluation by Switzerland. First flown on 16 October 1970.[4][5]
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The Fiat later Aeritalia G 91Y is an Italian ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft which first flew in 1966 Although resembling its predecessor the Fiat G 91 the aircraft was in fact a complete redesign a major difference being that it was equipped with a new twin engine configuration replacing the original single engine G 91YA G91Y at Bremgarten in September 1992Role Ground attackNational origin ItalyManufacturer Fiat AviazioneAeritaliaFirst flight 27 December 1966Introduction 1966Retired 1994Primary user Italian Air ForceProduced 1966 1972Number built 2 prototypes 65 1 Developed from Fiat G 91A Fiat G 91Y at Ramstein Air Base in 1986 Contents 1 Design and development 1 1 Production 2 Variants 3 Operators 4 Aircraft on display 5 Specifications G 91Y 6 See also 7 References 7 1 Notes 7 2 Bibliography 8 External linksDesign and development EditThe G 91Y was an increased performance version of the Fiat G 91 funded by the Italian government Based on the G 91T two seat trainer variant the single Bristol Orpheus turbojet engine of this aircraft was replaced by two afterburning General Electric J85 turbojets which increased thrust by 60 over the single engined variant 2 Structural modifications to reduce airframe weight increased performance further and an additional fuel tank occupying the space of the G 91T s rear seat provided extra range Combat manoeuvrability was improved with the addition of automatic leading edge slats 2 The avionics equipment of the G 91Y was considerably upgraded with many of the American British and Canadian systems being licence manufactured in Italy 2 Flight testing of three pre production aircraft was successful with one aircraft reaching a maximum speed of Mach 0 98 Airframe buffeting was noted and subsequently rectified in production aircraft by raising the position of the tailplane slightly Production Edit An initial order of 55 aircraft for the Italian Air Force was completed by Fiat in March 1971 by which time the company had changed its name to Aeritalia from 1969 when Fiat aviazione merged with Aerfer The order was increased to 75 aircraft with 67 eventually being delivered In fact the development of the new G 91Y was quite long with the first order being for about 20 pre series examples that followed the two prototypes The first pre series Yankee the nickname of the new aircraft flew in July 1968 AMI Italian Air Force placed orders for two batches 35 fighters followed by another 20 later cut to 10 The last one was delivered around mid 1976 making a total of two prototypes 20 pre series and 45 series aircraft No export success followed These aircraft served with 101 Gruppo 8 Stormo Cervia S Giorgio from 1970 and later from 1974 they served with the 13 Gruppo 32 Stormo Brindisi 3 Those Gruppi Italian equivalent of British squadrons usually equipped with 18 aircraft lasted until the early 90s as the only ones equipped with the Yankee using them as attack reconnaissance machines both over ground and sea until the AMX replaced them Variants EditG 91Y Prototype and production aircraft G 91YT Projected two seat trainer variant 4 G 91YS Prototype with enhanced avionics and extra hardpoints to carry AIM 9 Sidewinder missiles for evaluation by Switzerland First flown on 16 October 1970 4 5 Operators Edit nbsp ItalyItalian Air Force operated 65 Fiat G 91Ys until 1994Aircraft on display EditA Fiat G 91Y is preserved and on public display at the Italian Air Force Museum Vigna di Valle 6 A Fiat G 91Y is the gate guardian at the Antonio Locatelli High school in Bergamo Italy 7 Specifications G 91Y Edit nbsp Orthographically projected diagram of the Fiat G 91YData from The Observer s Book of Aircraft 4 General characteristicsCrew 1 Length 11 67 m 38 ft 3 in Wingspan 9 01 m 29 ft 7 in Height 4 43 m 14 ft 6 in Wing area 18 13 m2 195 1 sq ft Airfoil root NACA 65A112 tip NACA 65A111 8 Empty weight 3 900 kg 8 598 lb Gross weight 7 800 kg 17 196 lb Max takeoff weight 8 700 kg 19 180 lb max overload Powerplant 2 General Electric J85 GE 13A afterburning turbojet engines 12 12 kN 2 725 lbf thrust each dry 18 15 kN 4 080 lbf with afterburnerPerformance Maximum speed 1 110 km h 690 mph 600 kn at sea level Maximum speed Mach 0 95 at 10 000 m 32 810 ft Cruise speed 630 km h 390 mph 340 kn Ferry range 3 400 km 2 100 mi 1 800 nmi with drop tanks Service ceiling 12 500 m 41 000 ft Rate of climb 86 36 m s 17 000 ft min Wing loading 480 kg m2 98 lb sq ft Thrust weight 0 43Armament Guns 2 30 mm 1 18 in DEFA cannons Hardpoints 4 under wing pylon stations with a capacity of 1 814 kg 4 000 lb See also EditRelated development Fiat G 91Aircraft of comparable role configuration and era ALR Piranha Dassault Mirage 5 Douglas A 4 Skyhawk IAR 93 Vultur Northrop F 5 Soko J 22 OraoRelated lists List of fighter aircraftReferences EditNotes Edit None Retrieved 1 April 2023 a b c Staff author 20 June 1968 Fiat G 91Y Flight International p 931 www flightglobal com Retrieved 30 December 2011 Warplanes encyclopedia Aerospace Publishing 1984 Italian version print by De Agostini 1985 p 16 a b c Green 1972 p 8 Staff author 29 April 1971 Italy s aircraft industry Flight International p 578 www flightglobal com Retrieved 30 December 2011 Italian Air Force Museum Fiat G 91Y factsheet Archived 24 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine www aeronautica difesa it Retrieved 31 December 2011 Fiat G 91Y image static wixstatic com Retrieved 1 April 2023 Lednicer David The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage m selig ae illinois edu Retrieved 16 April 2019 Bibliography Edit Green William The Observer s Book of Aircraft London Frederick Warne amp Co Ltd 1972 ISBN 0 7232 1507 3External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fiat G 91Y Flight 1965 Original advertisement preceding the first flight Portals nbsp Italy nbsp Companies nbsp Aviation Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fiat G 91Y amp oldid 1174693219, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
