G.49

The G.49, developed by Fiat Aviazione in the early 1950s, was a twin‑engine, low‑wing transport aircraft intended to replace the aging C.205 fleet in Italy’s regional air‑service network. Its design traced roots to the wartime G.55 fighter, but was completely re‑engineered for civilian duties, featuring a semi‑monocoque aluminum fuselage, retractable tricycle landing gear and a spacious cabin that could accommodate up to twelve passengers or equivalent cargo loads. Powered by two licensed-built Pratt & Whitney R‑1340 Wasp radial engines delivering 600 hp each, the G.49 achieved a cruising speed of 280 km/h, a range of 1,200 km and a service ceiling of 7,500 meters, making it suitable for short‑haul routes over the mountainous Italian terrain.

Although only a limited production run of 24 units was completed before Fiat shifted its focus to jet‑propelled designs, the G.49 demonstrated the company’s ability to transition from wartime fighter production to peacetime transport solutions. Its relatively simple maintenance requirements and robust construction earned it a reputation for reliability among regional operators, and the aircraft served as a benchmark for later Italian commuter types such as the Aermacchi MB‑326. Today a few surviving G.49s are displayed in museums, marking a key post‑war Italian aviation milestone.