Fiat G.46-1B

The Fiat G.46-1B was a post‑war Italian trainer and liaison aircraft built by Fiat Aviazione in the late 1940s. Developed from the earlier G.46 series, the -1B variant first flew in 1948 and entered service with the Italian Air Force in 1949, later being exported to several South American air forces. Powered by a 260 hp Alfa Romeo 115‑bair piston engine, the low‑wing monoplane featured an all‑metal construction, retractable main landing gear, and a bubble canopy that offered excellent visibility for both instructor and student. Its dual‑control cockpit, robust wing structure, and forgiving handling made it ideal for basic flight training, aerobatics, and short‑range reconnaissance. The G.46‑1B could also be equipped with light armament for weapons‑training missions. In service, the aircraft contributed to rebuilding Italy’s pilot pool after World War II and demonstrated the effectiveness of domestically produced trainers in a period dominated by surplus Allied types. Though only a few hundred were built, the G.46‑1B remains a symbol of Italian aeronautical engineering and a stepping stone that helped shape the next generation of European military aviators and contributed to the evolution of training doctrines worldwide.

Fiat Aviazione

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