Fiat G.46-4A

The Fiat G.46-4A was a single‑engine advanced trainer developed by Fiat Aviazione in the late 1940s to meet the post‑war demand for modern pilot training aircraft. First flown in 1948, the G.46 series derived from the earlier G.46‑1B and incorporated a more powerful 205 hp Alfa Romeo 115‑air‑cooled inverted inline engine, a strengthened airframe, and a redesigned cockpit with dual controls and improved visibility. The 4A variant featured a fixed, split‑type landing gear, a constant‑speed propeller and reinforced wing spars to tolerate higher aerobatic loads, allowing it to perform loops, rolls, and stall‑recovery drills essential for preparing pilots for frontline fighter types such as the Fiat G.55 and the early jet trainers. Around 100 units were built for the Italian Air Force and several were exported to Argentina, Ethiopia and Switzerland, where they served until the early 1960s. Its robust construction, forgiving handling characteristics, and low operating costs made the G.46‑4A a reliable stepping stone in pilot education, contributing to the resurgence of Italian military aviation after World II and demonstrating Fiat Aviazione’s capability to produce competitive post‑war trainer designs.

Fiat Aviazione

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