Fiat G.18
Encyclopedia
The Fiat G.18 was an Italian
airliner
developed in the mid 1930s. It was a conventional low-wing monoplane
with twin engines mounted on the wings. The main units of the tailwheel undercarriage
retracted into the engine nacelle
s, leaving their wheels partially exposed. The cabin seated 18 passengers.
Three G.18s were put into service with Fiat's own airline, ALI early in 1936, and the feedback received was that the type was underpowered. Fiat responded the following year with a revised version, the G.18V which had more powerful engines, and a redesigned fin
and long dorsal strake. Six of these were delivered to ALI, which operated them on its European routes until the outbreak of war
. In June 1940, ALI was brought under control of the Regia Aeronautica
(Italian Air Force), and the G.18s were put to use as transports. Among other operations, they flew troops to Albania
in November 1940 as part of the campaign against Greece
. By the time of the Italian armistice, only one remained in operation, with another three captured by Germany
, and a fifth aircraft in use by the remaining Italian Fascist forces. This latter aircraft was involved in a major accident on 30 April 1944 when loaded with munitions, it exploded on the runway at Bresso
. The blast caused considerable damage to the airfield.
Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
airliner
Airliner
An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft for transporting passengers and cargo. Such aircraft are operated by airlines. Although the definition of an airliner can vary from country to country, an airliner is typically defined as an aircraft intended for carrying multiple passengers in commercial...
developed in the mid 1930s. It was a conventional low-wing monoplane
Monoplane
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with one main set of wing surfaces, in contrast to a biplane or triplane. Since the late 1930s it has been the most common form for a fixed wing aircraft.-Types of monoplane:...
with twin engines mounted on the wings. The main units of the tailwheel undercarriage
Conventional landing gear
thumb|The [[Piper PA-18|Piper Super Cub]] is a popular taildragger aircraft.thumb|right|A [[Cessna 150]] converted to taildragger configuration by installation of an after-market modification kit....
retracted into the engine nacelle
Nacelle
The nacelle is a cover housing that holds engines, fuel, or equipment on an aircraft. In some cases—for instance in the typical "Farman" type "pusher" aircraft, or the World War II-era P-38 Lightning—an aircraft's cockpit may also be housed in a nacelle, which essentially fills the...
s, leaving their wheels partially exposed. The cabin seated 18 passengers.
Three G.18s were put into service with Fiat's own airline, ALI early in 1936, and the feedback received was that the type was underpowered. Fiat responded the following year with a revised version, the G.18V which had more powerful engines, and a redesigned fin
Vertical stabilizer
The vertical stabilizers, vertical stabilisers, or fins, of aircraft, missiles or bombs are typically found on the aft end of the fuselage or body, and are intended to reduce aerodynamic side slip. It is analogical to a skeg on boats and ships.On aircraft, vertical stabilizers generally point upwards...
and long dorsal strake. Six of these were delivered to ALI, which operated them on its European routes until the outbreak of war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In June 1940, ALI was brought under control of the Regia Aeronautica
Regia Aeronautica
The Italian Royal Air Force was the name of the air force of the Kingdom of Italy. It was established as a service independent of the Royal Italian Army from 1923 until 1946...
(Italian Air Force), and the G.18s were put to use as transports. Among other operations, they flew troops to Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
in November 1940 as part of the campaign against Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. By the time of the Italian armistice, only one remained in operation, with another three captured by Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and a fifth aircraft in use by the remaining Italian Fascist forces. This latter aircraft was involved in a major accident on 30 April 1944 when loaded with munitions, it exploded on the runway at Bresso
Bresso
Bresso is a comune in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 8 km north of Milan. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 27,052 and an area of 3.38 km²...
. The blast caused considerable damage to the airfield.
Variants
- G.18 - original version with Fiat A.59 engines (3 built)
- G.18V - revised version with Fiat A.80Fiat A.80-References:* Gunston, Bill. . World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines. Patrick Stephens: Wellingborough. p.56* Ragazzi, Paolo . The Power of Aircraft Engines at Altitude. p.3...
engines (6 built)
Operators
Italy
- Avio Linee Italiane (ALI)
- Regia AeronauticaRegia AeronauticaThe Italian Royal Air Force was the name of the air force of the Kingdom of Italy. It was established as a service independent of the Royal Italian Army from 1923 until 1946...