G.91 R/1

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This page is about the Italian jet fighter G.91 R/1. For other versions, see G.91 (Family).
fiat_g91_r1.png
GarageImage G.91 R 1.jpg
360://https://wiki.warthunder.com/images/a/a8/Cockpit_fiat_g91_r1.jpg
G.91 R/1
AB RB SB
8.3 8.7 8.7
Research:61 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:340 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

The G.91 was a light subsonic fighter developed by Fiat in the late 1950s, it was a great success being introduced in the Italian, German, and Portuguese air force. The objective of said fighter was to create a cheap, light fighter-bomber capable of becoming the standard between all NATO nations, this was due to the experience of the US and UN forces in the Korean War, and the introduction of more capable jet engines, that pushed the NATO Command to set a competition for this role. A total of 756 aircraft were built in a span of 19 years. The G.91 R/1 was the first light attack/reconnaissance version of the G.91; compared to previous versions, it featured the same armament and powerplant, but added the capability to launch MACLOS guided AA-20 and AS-20 Nord missiles, as well as three cameras mounted on the nose.

It was introduced in Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica" along with the initial Italian aviation tree. The G.91 R/1 is a very light and nimble aircraft, it features some decent air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, thanks mainly to the AA-20 and AS-20 Nord missiles and its flight performance. For air combat, the AA-20 missiles are very hard to guide, but compensate by being extremely good in last minute launches in head-ons, in situations when the enemy can't properly dodge, they are also a very good way of destroying bombers without getting too close or from awkward angles. The G.91's ground ordnance consists of AS-20 missiles as well as rockets, the AS-20 Nords are the best option and can reliably destroy most targets, but they require good aim to be used.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Drogue parachute
Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway
Max speed
at 0 m1 084 km/h
Turn time26 s
Max altitude11 000 m
EngineBristol Orpheus MK.803
TypeJet
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight6 t

The G.91 was intended to replace the F-86A Sabre in German, Portuguese and Italian service and it shows. With an empty weight of only 3,100 kg (6,800 lbs) and a takeoff weight of 5,500 kg (12,100 lbs), the Gina is in the same weight class as the P-51D and MiG-9, yet severely lighter than most other jets and losing about one and a half tonnes compared to the Sabre A. Although only outputting a meagre 22 kN of thrust this first look disadvantage is literally outweighed by the high thrust to weight ratio of 0.73 empty (0.41 full). This makes the Gina an excellent dogfighter as jet fighters maintain both their top speed, climb and sustained turn-rate by their engine power rather than other flight characteristics. It can easily reach its own terminal speed (1,011 km/h, 921 ft/s) and self-destruct in level flight.

Lacking in straight wings and leading wing slats the stall speed for the G.91 is quite higher than the low weight lets one assume. One should hence be wary of many older jet types with said features, as after bleeding too much speed they can easily outmanoeuvre the Gina.

Starting with 20 min of fuel, gaining the climb speed of 800 km/h IAS (sustainable @ 7-8°; 730 f/s) takes a mere ~80 seconds with 20 predicated for taking off at 230 km/h or 210 f/s IAS. An Immelmann at 800 km/h will gain 1,000 m and lose 300 km/h. A hard 180° turn at the same speed takes >100 km/h and may lose up to 60 m.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 0 m - sea level)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 1,066 1,042 11000 27.3 27.8 29.8 28.8 850
Upgraded 1,096 1,084 25.1 26.0 49.6 39.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Drogue chute
X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
1128 345 589 550 345 ~11 ~5
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 800 < 650 < 660 N/A

Engine performance

Engine Aircraft mass
Engine name Number Empty mass Wing loading (full fuel)
Bristol Orpheus MK.803 1 3,337 kg 281 kg/m2
Engine characteristics Mass with fuel (no weapons load) Max Takeoff
Weight
Weight (each) Type 9m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 32m fuel
380 kg Axial-flow turbojet 3,697 kg 4,129 kg 4,522 kg 4,600 kg 5,800 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB) Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (101%)
Condition 100% 101% 9m fuel 20m fuel 30m fuel 32m fuel MTOW
Stationary 2,212 kgf 2,234 kgf 0.60 0.54 0.49 0.49 0.39
Optimal 2,212 kgf
(0 km/h)
2,234 kgf
(0 km/h)
0.60 0.54 0.49 0.49 0.39

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural1 128 km/h
Gear345 km/h

At its rank there is little which cannot hurt the G.91. This is mostly due to the large calibres and fast-firing weapons found in the jet age, although the Gina does not help this issue. The armour is enough to withstand the occasional tank LMG fire but otherwise will only protect the pilot from shrapnel damage. Even though the centerline arrangement of all components proves to be quite survivable in combat, it does NOT lend itself for head-ons or prolonged chases. The former only leads to functional aircraft with a dead pilot and the latter to the reverse, which was in all likelihood the intended design in real life.

  • 6.5 mm Steel - Behind, below and in front of the pilot
  • 6.5 mm Steel - under central fuel tanks.
  • 40 mm bulletproof glass - Armoured windshield
  • Critical components located down the midline of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
  • Fuel tanks located in the central fuselage.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 394 → 4 585 Sl icon.png
RB9 025 → 12 192 Sl icon.png
SB10 297 → 13 911 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications101 900 Rp icon.png
163 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 200 Ge icon.png
Crew training98 000 Sl icon.png
Experts340 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 800 Ge icon.png
Research Aces780 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
120 / 380 / 600 % Sl icon.png
202 / 202 / 202 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
4 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods jet compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
4 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods booster.png
New boosters
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
6 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
6 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
560 Ge icon.png
Mods jet engine.png
Engine
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
560 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
bmg50_belt_pack
Research:
4 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods napalm fire bomb.png
559G1
Research:
4 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods air to air missile.png
Nord AA.20
Research:
4 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 600 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
SBC-17
Research:
7 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg50_new_gun
Research:
6 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
Nord AS.20
Research:
6 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon block rocket.png
FFAR Mighty Mouse
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
18 000 Sl icon.png
560 Ge icon.png

A focus should be done on the engine modules, as the G.91 lives by its T/W ratio. New boosters is a double-edged sword, as without the G-Suit one is just blackout earlier. This oddly makes the Bomb unlock a tantalizing choice, especially in already won matches for farming on ground units before the game ends. Airframe and cover do little, the weight savings are very minor and without them, the G.91 can still easily reach top speeds and rip off its wings...

Armaments

Suspended armament

The G.91 R/1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

1 2 3 4
Hardpoints G.91 pre-serie.png
12.7 mm M3 Browning machine guns (300 rpg) 2 2*
500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs 1 1
Aerea 559G1 incendiary bombs 1 1
FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets 19 19
AA-20 Nord missiles 1* 1*
AS-20 Nord missiles 1* 1*
* Missiles cannot be equipped in conjunction with machine guns on hardpoint 3
Default weapon presets
  • 4 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine guns (300 rpg = 1,200 total)
  • 4 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine guns + 38 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
  • 2 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine gun + 2 x AS-20 Nord missiles
  • 2 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine gun + 2 x AA-20 Nord missiles
  • 4 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine guns + 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
  • 4 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine guns + 2 x Aerea 559G1 incendiary bombs

The M3 Browning is a new weapon in the Italian arsenal at this 5th tier and compared to the previous experiences a letdown. The rate of fire is phenomenal, but the small calibre and ammo size put a serious damper to the mood, that is in comparison of course. In practice and with good aim, it can easily shred four fighters. The high bullet velocity and fire rate is quite the advantage in the fast-paced world of jet combat, ensuring hits in deflection shots where the lower rate of fire found in the Soviet jet fighters might have failed the pilot.

Yet one will always look onto greener pastures, especially as the Gina only has four guns unlike all other Browning armed jets. No matter how you turn it, the armament is only manageable with skill and for a beginner outright bad.

The G.91 is a fighter and it shows in the additional payloads. They should only be considered for a quick drop on the way to the combat zone, losing height/speed advantage in doing so, or once aerial dominance has already accomplished. Even then many other jets are way better suited for ground attacks.

The bombs are standard fare and often not worse the hassle with their low total yield. The FFAR rockets are a far better option allowing to tackle more than one target, even though they only work well against soft target and up to medium tanks.

Usage in battles

Air superiority is the combat objective for the G.91 Gina, anything else is secondary. In team games lure enemy fighters into extensive and excessive dogfights to allow your heavier and less nimble allies to Boom and Zoom or Boom and Run them. With their great thrust to weight ratio, the G.91 can maintain their energy superiority and in emergencies (such as non-existent teamplay) to disengage. Alternatively, standard Boom & Zoom is a considerable choice. Again the great acceleration allows for more energy-expensive manoeuvres and still disengage without much worry from the target. Such follies would be deadly in many other fighters, but the Gina is hence quite forgiving. In fact too forgiving, new pilots to the jet age need to lose old habits and the G.91 does not force one's hand. The G.91 can hold its own against several aircraft at once, but won't be able to win such a battle on its own

A few strategies for the G.91 AA-20 Nord Air-to-Air missiles: Use your Nord Air-to-Air missiles in a head-on, where you fire your missile around the 1km mark, leading to the enemy being unable to dodge the missile due to over-commitment, or it leads to them losing the killing shot as you barrel roll out of fire. You can also fire at enemies running away in a straight line, enemies that often fall for this are A-4Es and other variants of the A-4 line. Use these Nord missiles only when your enemy is predictable as aiming these missiles is difficult, aiming of which is lightened with the enormous proximity range, meaning even if you fail to be exact, it will still cause heavy damage. Do not fire missiles on stalling aircraft, unless you're certain you can't gun them down with your .50 cals or you'll stall out before you can kill them, it'll just waste your precious Nords.

Against bombers and ground attack craft the G.91 lacks necessary firepower, the Nords however can compensate for this with their large proximity fuse and manual guidance, if you decide however to use your primary guns, it will drain your ammo severely. The measly protection against defensive fire makes this a dangerous task anyway and should thusly be left for better-equipped allies.

Using the Gina as CAS is somewhat mediocre due to the payload. While being able to mount air-to-ground ordnance, the payload yield is somewhat weak. The FFAR pods and Air-to-Ground AS-20 Nords are the only worthwhile considerations but run against the G.91's intended role of Air Superiority Fighter.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Low weight, high thrust-to-weight ratio
    • Great turn time for a jet; can give the MiG-15 a run for its money
    • Great acceleration and climb rate
  • 4 x M3 machine guns can be deadly if aimed correctly and used in close range

Cons:

  • It has a slower speed relative to the jets it will encounter
  • Short burst time due to low ammo count
  • Limited ground attack abilities
  • Bleeds off a lot of speed in a full elevator turn
  • Can rip its wings off if you pull full elevator past 800 km/h

History

The first production version of the G.91 was the G.91 R, which was intended for both close support and photo-reconnaissance. The first production aircraft was finished in 1959, and the R/1 entered Italian Air Force service with 14th Gruppe in March 1961. In total 48 of this model would be built, all serving with Italy, while the West Germans used the more powerfully armed R/3 and R/4 variants. These would be followed by another 50 R/1B combat aircraft.

Winner of the 1953 NATO light tactical support aircraft competition, the Fiat "Small Sabre" would be in production for 19 years, with 756 aircraft completed, with the last aircraft produced in 1977. It served in the Italian and West German air forces starting in 1961 and 1962 respectively.

The original competition specifications called for a jet able to carry 450 kg of ordnance with an operational radius of 180 km, assuming 10 minutes over the target, with a maximum speed of at least Mach 0.95 and a takeoff distance of no more than 1,100 m, on unprepared or grass runways. Eight aircraft competed in the first round, including the French Dassault Etendard (then called the Mystere XXVI) and the British Folland Gnat. The Etendard, the G.91 and a Breguet design were selected for the second round beginning in late 1957. Fiat went ahead with pre-production ("pre-serie" in Italian) aircraft, with first flight in August 1956, seven months ahead of its competitors. The crash of the first prototype due to aeroelastic vibrations in February 1957, proved a setback, but the G.91 entered the second round as scheduled and was announced as the winner in January 1958.

Critics said Fiat had just copied the F-86 Sabre, which it was manufactured under license, but these claims seem unwarranted. Operational service evaluations with the Italian air force's 103 Squadron ran from February to July 1959, leading to a West German decision to manufacture the aircraft under license.

Media

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See also

External links


Fiat Aviation (Fiat Aviazione)
Fighters  CR.32 · CR.32 bis · CR.32 quater
  CR.42 · Marcolin's C.R.42 CN · ▀Marcolin's C.R.42 CN
  G.50 serie 2 · G.50 AS serie 7
  G.55 sottoserie 0 · G.55 serie 1 · G.55S
  G.56
Jet fighters  G.91 pre-serie · G.91 R/1 · G.91 Y · G.91 YS
  ▄F-86K*
  ▄F-104G* · F-104S* · F-104S.ASA* · ▄F-104S TAF*
Strike aircraft  F.C.20 Bis
Bombers  B.R.20DR · B.R.20M M1
Export/Captured  J11 · ▀CR.42
  ▀G.50 serie 2 · ▀G.50 AS serie 7
  ◄G.91 R/3 · ◄G.91 R/4 · G.91 R/4
  *Licensed
See also  North American Aviation · Lockheed Martin

Italy jet aircraft
Aefer  Sagittario 2 · Ariete
Fiat  G.91 pre-serie · G.91 R/1 · G.91 R/4 (Portugal) · G.91 Y · G.91 YS
AMX International  AMX
Panavia  Tornado ADV · ▄Tornado IDS (1995)
  Foreign:
Vampire  Vampire FB 52A
F-84  ▄F-84F · ▄F-84G-21-RE
F-86  CL-13 Mk.4 · ▄F-86K
F-104  ▄F-104G · F-104S · ▄F-104S TAF (Turkey) · F-104S.ASA
F-16  ▄F-16A ADF
AV-8  ▄AV-8B Plus
Hungary 
Mikoyan-Gurevich  ◔MiG-15bis · ◔MiG-17PF · ◔MiG-21MF · ◔MiG-21bis-SAU · ◔MiG-23MF · ◔MiG-29
Ilyushin  ◔IL-28
Sukhoi  ◔Su-22M3
Saab  ◔JAS39EBS HU C