Введение
Итальянский реактивный истребитель-бомбардировщик.
Самолет Fiat G.91 – реактивный истребитель, разработанный и построенный итальянским авиастроительным предприятием Fiat Aviazione, которое впоследствии объединилось с Aeritalia. G.91 берет свое начало в конкурсе NBMR 1, организованном НАТО в 1953 году, целью которого был поиск легкого истребителя-бомбардировщика (официально конкурс предполагал создание "легкого ударного истребителя") для принятия на вооружение в качестве стандартного образца в военно-воздушных силах стран НАТО. G.91 был специально спроектирован для соответствия требованиям этого конкурса, отличаясь относительно небольшим весом и способностью действовать с полевых аэродромов, при этом обладая бронезащитой и достаточным вооружением, оставаясь при этом относительно доступным по сравнению со многими истребителями первой линии. 9 августа 1956 года прототип совершил свой первый полет. После рассмотрения поступивших заявок G.91 был выбран победителем конкурса NBMR 1. В 1961 году G.91 поступил на вооружение итальянских ВВС, а в следующем году – западногерманских ВВС. Ряд других стран также приняли его на вооружение, в частности, португальские ВВС, которые активно использовали этот тип самолета во время Португальской колониальной войны в Анголе и Мозамбике. Производство G.91 продолжалось в течение 19 лет, за которые было построено в общей сложности 756 самолетов, включая прототипы и предсерийные образцы. Сборочные линии были окончательно закрыты в 1977 году. В декабре 1953 года Верховное командование НАТО опубликовало технические требования к новому легкому самолету тактической поддержки. Европейским производителям было предложено представить свои проекты для выполнения роли легкого ударного истребителя. G.91 был спроектирован в соответствии с этими требованиями итальянским инженером Джузеппе Габриелли, что и отражено в обозначении "G". Конкурс был направлен на создание легкого, компактного, расходного самолета, оснащенного базовым вооружением и авионикой, способного действовать при минимальной наземной поддержке. Эти требования были сформулированы по двум причинам: во-первых, из-за ядерной угрозы для крупных авиабаз, когда рассредоточение большего количества недорогих самолетов представлялось более эффективным, а во-вторых, для противодействия тенденции к увеличению размеров и стоимости самолетов. Указанные технические требования включали в себя длину разбега в 1100 м (3610 футов) при преодолении препятствия высотой 15 м (49 футов), возможность эксплуатации с полуподготовленных травяных аэродромов и дорог, максимальную скорость Mach 0,95, дальность полета 280 км (170 миль) с 10 минутами нахождения над целью, максимальный взлетный вес 2200 кг (4850 фунтов) и максимальный вес 4700 кг (10360 фунтов). Выполнение этих эксплуатационных требований считалось непростой задачей в то время. Девять из десяти представленных на конкурс проектов использовали двигатель Orpheus. Для оценки предложений, представленных различными авиастроительными компаниями, специальная консультативная группа по вопросам авиационных исследований и разработок (AGARD) провела всестороннюю оценку. После первого полета самолета последовала серия интенсивных испытательных полетов, которые не обошлись без проблем. Наиболее серьезной проблемой, выявленной в ходе этих испытаний, было возникновение аэроупругих колебаний, что потребовало проведения серии исследовательских полетов для устранения этой проблемы. 20 февраля 1957 года во время испытательного полета, направленного на определение пределов скоростного режима самолета, возникшие трудности привели к разрушению первого прототипа G.91. Причина гибели прототипа была связана с проблемами в горизонтальной системе управления, которые привели к структурному разрушению; это повлекло за собой проведение тщательных испытаний хвостового оперения для выявления причины аварии. Третий и четвертый прототипы G.91 были отправлены во Францию для продолжения оценочных полетов. Окончательный отбор конкурирующих проектов был запланирован на конец 1957 года. Правительство Великобритании предпочло не участвовать в конкурсе, сосредоточившись на производстве Hawker Hunter для выполнения той же задачи. Итальянское правительство приняло решение о закупке G.91 для итальянских ВВС до оглашения результатов конкурса. Эти предсерийные машины впоследствии в течение многих лет служили в составе итальянской пилотажной группы Frecce Tricolori под обозначением G.91 PAN.
Производство
К 1957 году Fiat Aviazione приступила к созданию первой производственной линии для G.91 на своем предприятии в аэропорту Турина Aeritalia, Пьемонт, Италия. В общей сложности Fiat построил 174 самолета G.91 различных модификаций для Италии, а также дополнительно 144 G.91 R/3 для Западной Германии (включая 50, заказанных, а затем отмененных Грецией и Турцией). Первый заказ поступил от Aeritalia на 50 самолетов, затем Dornier и другие немецкие компании заказали 232 машины, позднее увеличенное количество составило 294. Люфтваффе (Военно-воздушные силы Германии) также приобрели 44 двухместных учебно-тренировочных G 91T/3, еще 22 были произведены в Германии, что завершило производство в 1972 году. Немецкий заказ предусматривал выпуск 294 самолетов G.91, которые производились внутри страны в Германии по лицензии компанией Flugzeug Union Süd, консорциумом бывших конкурентов Messerschmitt, Heinkel и Dornier; Messerschmitt производил переднюю часть фюзеляжа и хвостовое оперение, Dornier – центральную часть фюзеляжа, а также осуществлял окончательную сборку и летные испытания, в то время как Heinkel изготавливал крыло. Шасси самолета производила компания Messier Bugatti Dowty. Однако впоследствии служба отказалась от эксплуатации всех самолетов с фиксированным крылом, передав эти функции Военно-воздушным силам США, и в связи с этим от перспективной закупки G.91 отказались.
Дизайн
Fiat G.91 – легкий тактический штурмовик. Это дозвуковой самолет, разработанный с учетом простоты и маневренности. Основной задачей G.91 была атака целей в радиусе 274 километров от базы, с типичным временем ожидания в десять минут, перемещаясь с максимальной скоростью в боевой зоне и выполняя полет на крейсерской скорости. Кабина пилота расположена непосредственно над воздухозаборником двигателя. Она окружена с трех сторон стальной бронезащитой, а бронированное стекло защищает лобовое остекление. Кабина оснащена катапультируемым креслом Martin Baker Mk.4, она герметизирована и оборудована ручным управлением климатической системой. Для обеспечения возможности выполнения операций с полевых аэродромов Fiat разработал специальное наземное оборудование для легкого и быстрого обслуживания самолета. В частности, оборудование, необходимое для осмотра, технического обслуживания, дозаправки и ремонта G.91, было спроектировано с минимальным весом и габаритами для облегчения транспортировки. Fiat также провел исследование по установке на самолет крюков для обеспечения совместимости с тормозными устройствами и катапультной установкой, что позволило бы улучшить взлетно-посадочные характеристики на коротких полосах; ряд серийных самолетов, состоявших на вооружении Люфтваффе, были оснащены таким образом.
Италия
20 февраля 1958 года первый предсерийный G.91 совершил свой первый полет. В 1961 году следующим сформированным оперативным подразделением стала 14mo Gruppo, Seconda Aerobrigata. Роль этого подразделения была переключена на тактическую поддержку, поскольку в его состав входили 14mo, 103mo (переданные из 5 A/B в эту Аэробригаду) и 13mo (только в резерве) группы. Все они базировались в Тревизо Сант-Анджело. В октябре 1961 года Aufklärungsgeschwader 53 стал первым оперативным подразделением G.91, достигшим полной боевой готовности; в конце мая 1962 года это же подразделение приступило к выполнению первых оперативных тренировочных полетов. Для Люфтваффе было заказано еще 45 двухместных учебно-тренировочных самолетов G.91 T/3 производства Fiat, первые 35 из которых были направлены в Waffenschule 50, а оставшаяся часть заказа была распределена между оперативными подразделениями. В начале 1961 года Waffenschule 50 начала свои первые курсы подготовки инструкторов-пилотов. 22 самолета из этой партии были построены Dornier в период с 1971 по 1973 год; этот вариант использовался для подготовки офицеров систем вооружения для F-4 Phantom. Пятьдесят самолетов G.91 R/4 были получены из отмененного греко-турецкого заказа, но признаны непригодными для боевого применения. Вместо этого они использовались в качестве учебных самолетов и эксплуатировались исключительно Waffenschule 50. После завершения первоначальной программы обучения все самолеты R/4 были выведены из эксплуатации в 1966 году, а 40 сохранившихся планера были проданы Португалии. Другие самолеты R/4 остались в Германии и были переданы для наземной подготовки или для статических экспозиций на презентациях по набору личного состава. Утверждается, что Люфтваффе планировало оснастить еще четыре авиагруппы G.91R/3; однако, первоначальный опыт эксплуатации этого типа, по всей видимости, разочаровал Люфтваффе в характеристиках самолета, и предполагаемые дальнейшие заказы были отменены. На ряде самолетов G.91 Luftwaffe был нанесен символ "свиньи", что интерпретировалось как комментарий к неудовлетворительной производительности самолета. Последние самолеты G.91 были официально сняты с вооружения в 1982 году.
Португалия
С 1961 года Португалия включилась в борьбу против националистических движений в своих африканских заморских территориях, серия конфликтов стала известна как Португальская колониальная война. В августе 1961 года Португалия развернула отряд F 86 Sabre в Португальской Гвинее, до начала крупных боевых действий, но была вынуждена отозвать реактивные истребители обратно в Европу из-за давления со стороны Соединенных Штатов и Организации Объединенных Наций, которые ввели эмбарго на поставки оружия. Это создало пробел в воздушном прикрытии африканских колоний Португалии как в роли непосредственной авиационной поддержки, так и в роли противовоздушной обороны. В 1965 году, по мере нарастания масштабов боевых действий, Португалия попыталась приобрести 100 избыточных канадских Sabre Mk 6 у Западной Германии, но вместо этого ей предложили 40 G.91R/4.
G.91s arrived in Portuguese Guinea in 1966, equipping Esquadra 121 Tigres based at Bissau, and being used for reconnaissance and close support with rockets, napalm and bombs against PAIGC rebels. When the PAIGC started to be supplied with Soviet made Strela 2 (NATO designation SA 7 Grail) MANPADS in early 1973, these immediately became a threat to Portuguese air superiority. On 25 March 1973, and 28 March, two FAP G.91s were shot down by missiles within three days, with a further two lost to conventional ground fire later in the year. (By comparison, only two G.91s had been lost in Guinea from 1966 to 1973.) A final G.91 was lost to a missile on 31 January 1974, while Strelas were also responsible for the loss of a T 6 Texan and two Do.27K 2s. G.91s deployed to Mozambique at the end of 1968, equipping Esquadra 502 Jaguares ininitally at Beira, later moving to Nacala, with a second squadron Esquadra 702 Escorpiões (Scorpions) forming in September 1970 at Tete, flying against FRELIMO forces. FRELIMO also received Strelas in 1973, although unlike elsewhere, the Portuguese in Mozambique did not lose any aircraft to missiles with Chinese support, even if it forced Portuguese pilots to change their tactics. The only G.91 destroyed in combat in Mozambique was the serial number 5429, flown by Lt. Emilio Lourenço: his plane was destroyed and Lourenço killed by a premature detonation of its bombs while flying a strike against rebel positions on 15 March 1973. In 1973, with the United Nations weapons embargo against Portugal, the Air Force faced problems purchasing further numbers of close air support aircraft. An attempt was then made to acquire more Fiat G.91s from Germany by having Dornier disassembling the aircraft and then selling them as spare parts to Switzerland and Spain. These spare parts would be later sold to Portugal and assembled locally with different serial numbers. However, the deal did not follow through as the German government vetoed it. In April 1974, the Portuguese government fell in the Carnation Revolution, with the new government seeking to grant its colonies independence. Portugal withdrew its G.91s from Guinea when it was granted independence in 1974, with its forces also leaving Mozambique. One of the G.91 squadrons was briefly deployed to Angola in late 1974, in order to try to prevent fighting between rival National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) forces, being finally withdrawn back to Portugal in January 1975. In 1976, a second purchase of 14 G.91 R/3s and 7 G.91 T/3 trainers was made from Germany, which were followed by further aircraft when the G.91 was withdrawn from Luftwaffe service in from 1980 to 1982, giving a total of 70 R/3s and 26 T/3s, although not all of these entered service, with many being broken up for spare parts. Portugal finally phased out the last of its G.91s in 1993. The G.91 R/4 variant, of which 25 aircraft were intended to be delivered to both Greece and Turkey, employed the same armament as the G.91 R/1 while using the equipment of the R/3 variant. However, both Greece and Turkey would ultimately not induct any G.91s, these aircraft were instead passed onto Germany's inventory instead. Trainer and reconnaissance variants were produced right from the start of G.91 production, but the basic design of the aircraft remained virtually unchanged throughout almost the entire production run of the aircraft. The one major difference is that the R series aircraft were single seaters, while the T series aircraft had two seats. To accommodate the extra seat, the T series aircraft had a slightly longer fuselage. G.91 Prototypes and pre production aircraft. G.91A A single prototype, built to test wing slats and fuel tanks in the wings. G.91T/1 Trainer version of G.91R/1 for Italian Air Force. The G.91Y first flew on 12 December 1966 and displayed an improvement in speed, range, payload, and manoeuvrability. The maximum speed was increased to 1,110 km/h (690 mph, 600 kn, Mach 0.91). The machine guns were replaced by a pair of DEFA 552 30 mm cannon with 125 rounds per gun. All the aircraft built served with the Italian Air Force. G.91YTA projected two seat version of the G.91Y, not built. G.91YSProposed version of the G.91Y for Switzerland, one built.
G.91 прибыли в Португальскую Гвинею в 1966 году, оснастив Эскадру 121 Tigres, базирующуюся в Бисау, и использовались для разведки и непосредственной поддержки ракетами, напалмом и бомбами против повстанцев PAIGC. Когда в начале 1973 года PAIGC начали получать советские переносные зенитно-ракетные комплексы "Стрела-2" (по классификации НАТО SA-7 Grail), они немедленно стали угрозой для превосходства Португалии в воздухе. 25 и 28 марта 1973 года два самолета FAP G.91 были сбиты ракетами в течение трех дней, еще два были потеряны от наземного огня позднее в том же году. (Для сравнения, с 1966 по 1973 год в Гвинее было потеряно всего два G.91.) Последний G.91 был сбит ракетой 31 января 1974 года, а комплексы "Стрела" также стали причиной потери T 6 Texan и двух Do.27K 2.
G.91s arrived in Portuguese Guinea in 1966, equipping Esquadra 121 Tigres based at Bissau, and being used for reconnaissance and close support with rockets, napalm and bombs against PAIGC rebels. When the PAIGC started to be supplied with Soviet made Strela 2 (NATO designation SA 7 Grail) MANPADS in early 1973, these immediately became a threat to Portuguese air superiority. On 25 March 1973, and 28 March, two FAP G.91s were shot down by missiles within three days, with a further two lost to conventional ground fire later in the year. (By comparison, only two G.91s had been lost in Guinea from 1966 to 1973.) A final G.91 was lost to a missile on 31 January 1974, while Strelas were also responsible for the loss of a T 6 Texan and two Do.27K 2s. G.91s deployed to Mozambique at the end of 1968, equipping Esquadra 502 Jaguares ininitally at Beira, later moving to Nacala, with a second squadron Esquadra 702 Escorpiões (Scorpions) forming in September 1970 at Tete, flying against FRELIMO forces. FRELIMO also received Strelas in 1973, although unlike elsewhere, the Portuguese in Mozambique did not lose any aircraft to missiles with Chinese support, even if it forced Portuguese pilots to change their tactics. The only G.91 destroyed in combat in Mozambique was the serial number 5429, flown by Lt. Emilio Lourenço: his plane was destroyed and Lourenço killed by a premature detonation of its bombs while flying a strike against rebel positions on 15 March 1973. In 1973, with the United Nations weapons embargo against Portugal, the Air Force faced problems purchasing further numbers of close air support aircraft. An attempt was then made to acquire more Fiat G.91s from Germany by having Dornier disassembling the aircraft and then selling them as spare parts to Switzerland and Spain. These spare parts would be later sold to Portugal and assembled locally with different serial numbers. However, the deal did not follow through as the German government vetoed it. In April 1974, the Portuguese government fell in the Carnation Revolution, with the new government seeking to grant its colonies independence. Portugal withdrew its G.91s from Guinea when it was granted independence in 1974, with its forces also leaving Mozambique. One of the G.91 squadrons was briefly deployed to Angola in late 1974, in order to try to prevent fighting between rival National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) forces, being finally withdrawn back to Portugal in January 1975. In 1976, a second purchase of 14 G.91 R/3s and 7 G.91 T/3 trainers was made from Germany, which were followed by further aircraft when the G.91 was withdrawn from Luftwaffe service in from 1980 to 1982, giving a total of 70 R/3s and 26 T/3s, although not all of these entered service, with many being broken up for spare parts. Portugal finally phased out the last of its G.91s in 1993. The G.91 R/4 variant, of which 25 aircraft were intended to be delivered to both Greece and Turkey, employed the same armament as the G.91 R/1 while using the equipment of the R/3 variant. However, both Greece and Turkey would ultimately not induct any G.91s, these aircraft were instead passed onto Germany's inventory instead. Trainer and reconnaissance variants were produced right from the start of G.91 production, but the basic design of the aircraft remained virtually unchanged throughout almost the entire production run of the aircraft. The one major difference is that the R series aircraft were single seaters, while the T series aircraft had two seats. To accommodate the extra seat, the T series aircraft had a slightly longer fuselage. G.91 Prototypes and pre production aircraft. G.91A A single prototype, built to test wing slats and fuel tanks in the wings. G.91T/1 Trainer version of G.91R/1 for Italian Air Force. The G.91Y first flew on 12 December 1966 and displayed an improvement in speed, range, payload, and manoeuvrability. The maximum speed was increased to 1,110 km/h (690 mph, 600 kn, Mach 0.91). The machine guns were replaced by a pair of DEFA 552 30 mm cannon with 125 rounds per gun. All the aircraft built served with the Italian Air Force. G.91YTA projected two seat version of the G.91Y, not built. G.91YSProposed version of the G.91Y for Switzerland, one built.
G.91 были развернуты в Мозамбике в конце 1968 года, оснастив Эскадру 502 Jaguares, первоначально в Бейре, а затем передислоцированную в Накалу, а в сентябре 1970 года в Тете была сформирована вторая эскадрилья Esquadra 702 Escorpiões (Скорпионы), действовавшая против сил ФРЕЛИМО. ФРЕЛИМО также получила "Стрелы" в 1973 году, однако, в отличие от других регионов, португальцы в Мозамбике не потеряли ни одного самолета от ракет, даже несмотря на то, что это вынудило португальских пилотов изменить свою тактику. Единственный G.91, уничтоженный в бою в Мозамбике, имел серийный номер 5429 и пилотировался лейтенантом Эмилио Лоуренсо: его самолет был уничтожен, а Лоуренсо погиб в результате преждевременной детонации бомб во время авиаудара по позициям повстанцев 15 марта 1973 года.
G.91s arrived in Portuguese Guinea in 1966, equipping Esquadra 121 Tigres based at Bissau, and being used for reconnaissance and close support with rockets, napalm and bombs against PAIGC rebels. When the PAIGC started to be supplied with Soviet made Strela 2 (NATO designation SA 7 Grail) MANPADS in early 1973, these immediately became a threat to Portuguese air superiority. On 25 March 1973, and 28 March, two FAP G.91s were shot down by missiles within three days, with a further two lost to conventional ground fire later in the year. (By comparison, only two G.91s had been lost in Guinea from 1966 to 1973.) A final G.91 was lost to a missile on 31 January 1974, while Strelas were also responsible for the loss of a T 6 Texan and two Do.27K 2s. G.91s deployed to Mozambique at the end of 1968, equipping Esquadra 502 Jaguares ininitally at Beira, later moving to Nacala, with a second squadron Esquadra 702 Escorpiões (Scorpions) forming in September 1970 at Tete, flying against FRELIMO forces. FRELIMO also received Strelas in 1973, although unlike elsewhere, the Portuguese in Mozambique did not lose any aircraft to missiles with Chinese support, even if it forced Portuguese pilots to change their tactics. The only G.91 destroyed in combat in Mozambique was the serial number 5429, flown by Lt. Emilio Lourenço: his plane was destroyed and Lourenço killed by a premature detonation of its bombs while flying a strike against rebel positions on 15 March 1973. In 1973, with the United Nations weapons embargo against Portugal, the Air Force faced problems purchasing further numbers of close air support aircraft. An attempt was then made to acquire more Fiat G.91s from Germany by having Dornier disassembling the aircraft and then selling them as spare parts to Switzerland and Spain. These spare parts would be later sold to Portugal and assembled locally with different serial numbers. However, the deal did not follow through as the German government vetoed it. In April 1974, the Portuguese government fell in the Carnation Revolution, with the new government seeking to grant its colonies independence. Portugal withdrew its G.91s from Guinea when it was granted independence in 1974, with its forces also leaving Mozambique. One of the G.91 squadrons was briefly deployed to Angola in late 1974, in order to try to prevent fighting between rival National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) forces, being finally withdrawn back to Portugal in January 1975. In 1976, a second purchase of 14 G.91 R/3s and 7 G.91 T/3 trainers was made from Germany, which were followed by further aircraft when the G.91 was withdrawn from Luftwaffe service in from 1980 to 1982, giving a total of 70 R/3s and 26 T/3s, although not all of these entered service, with many being broken up for spare parts. Portugal finally phased out the last of its G.91s in 1993. The G.91 R/4 variant, of which 25 aircraft were intended to be delivered to both Greece and Turkey, employed the same armament as the G.91 R/1 while using the equipment of the R/3 variant. However, both Greece and Turkey would ultimately not induct any G.91s, these aircraft were instead passed onto Germany's inventory instead. Trainer and reconnaissance variants were produced right from the start of G.91 production, but the basic design of the aircraft remained virtually unchanged throughout almost the entire production run of the aircraft. The one major difference is that the R series aircraft were single seaters, while the T series aircraft had two seats. To accommodate the extra seat, the T series aircraft had a slightly longer fuselage. G.91 Prototypes and pre production aircraft. G.91A A single prototype, built to test wing slats and fuel tanks in the wings. G.91T/1 Trainer version of G.91R/1 for Italian Air Force. The G.91Y first flew on 12 December 1966 and displayed an improvement in speed, range, payload, and manoeuvrability. The maximum speed was increased to 1,110 km/h (690 mph, 600 kn, Mach 0.91). The machine guns were replaced by a pair of DEFA 552 30 mm cannon with 125 rounds per gun. All the aircraft built served with the Italian Air Force. G.91YTA projected two seat version of the G.91Y, not built. G.91YSProposed version of the G.91Y for Switzerland, one built.
В 1973 году, в связи с эмбарго ООН на поставки оружия Португалии, военно-воздушные силы столкнулись с проблемами при закупке дополнительных самолетов непосредственной авиационной поддержки. Была предпринята попытка приобрести больше Fiat G.91 в Германии, поручив Dornier разобрать самолеты и продать их в качестве запасных частей Швейцарии и Испании. Эти запасные части позже были проданы Португалии и собраны на месте под новыми серийными номерами. Однако сделка не состоялась, поскольку правительство Германии наложило на нее вето.
G.91s arrived in Portuguese Guinea in 1966, equipping Esquadra 121 Tigres based at Bissau, and being used for reconnaissance and close support with rockets, napalm and bombs against PAIGC rebels. When the PAIGC started to be supplied with Soviet made Strela 2 (NATO designation SA 7 Grail) MANPADS in early 1973, these immediately became a threat to Portuguese air superiority. On 25 March 1973, and 28 March, two FAP G.91s were shot down by missiles within three days, with a further two lost to conventional ground fire later in the year. (By comparison, only two G.91s had been lost in Guinea from 1966 to 1973.) A final G.91 was lost to a missile on 31 January 1974, while Strelas were also responsible for the loss of a T 6 Texan and two Do.27K 2s. G.91s deployed to Mozambique at the end of 1968, equipping Esquadra 502 Jaguares ininitally at Beira, later moving to Nacala, with a second squadron Esquadra 702 Escorpiões (Scorpions) forming in September 1970 at Tete, flying against FRELIMO forces. FRELIMO also received Strelas in 1973, although unlike elsewhere, the Portuguese in Mozambique did not lose any aircraft to missiles with Chinese support, even if it forced Portuguese pilots to change their tactics. The only G.91 destroyed in combat in Mozambique was the serial number 5429, flown by Lt. Emilio Lourenço: his plane was destroyed and Lourenço killed by a premature detonation of its bombs while flying a strike against rebel positions on 15 March 1973. In 1973, with the United Nations weapons embargo against Portugal, the Air Force faced problems purchasing further numbers of close air support aircraft. An attempt was then made to acquire more Fiat G.91s from Germany by having Dornier disassembling the aircraft and then selling them as spare parts to Switzerland and Spain. These spare parts would be later sold to Portugal and assembled locally with different serial numbers. However, the deal did not follow through as the German government vetoed it. In April 1974, the Portuguese government fell in the Carnation Revolution, with the new government seeking to grant its colonies independence. Portugal withdrew its G.91s from Guinea when it was granted independence in 1974, with its forces also leaving Mozambique. One of the G.91 squadrons was briefly deployed to Angola in late 1974, in order to try to prevent fighting between rival National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) forces, being finally withdrawn back to Portugal in January 1975. In 1976, a second purchase of 14 G.91 R/3s and 7 G.91 T/3 trainers was made from Germany, which were followed by further aircraft when the G.91 was withdrawn from Luftwaffe service in from 1980 to 1982, giving a total of 70 R/3s and 26 T/3s, although not all of these entered service, with many being broken up for spare parts. Portugal finally phased out the last of its G.91s in 1993. The G.91 R/4 variant, of which 25 aircraft were intended to be delivered to both Greece and Turkey, employed the same armament as the G.91 R/1 while using the equipment of the R/3 variant. However, both Greece and Turkey would ultimately not induct any G.91s, these aircraft were instead passed onto Germany's inventory instead. Trainer and reconnaissance variants were produced right from the start of G.91 production, but the basic design of the aircraft remained virtually unchanged throughout almost the entire production run of the aircraft. The one major difference is that the R series aircraft were single seaters, while the T series aircraft had two seats. To accommodate the extra seat, the T series aircraft had a slightly longer fuselage. G.91 Prototypes and pre production aircraft. G.91A A single prototype, built to test wing slats and fuel tanks in the wings. G.91T/1 Trainer version of G.91R/1 for Italian Air Force. The G.91Y first flew on 12 December 1966 and displayed an improvement in speed, range, payload, and manoeuvrability. The maximum speed was increased to 1,110 km/h (690 mph, 600 kn, Mach 0.91). The machine guns were replaced by a pair of DEFA 552 30 mm cannon with 125 rounds per gun. All the aircraft built served with the Italian Air Force. G.91YTA projected two seat version of the G.91Y, not built. G.91YSProposed version of the G.91Y for Switzerland, one built.
В апреле 1974 года португальское правительство пало в результате Революции гвоздик, и новое правительство стремилось предоставить независимость своим колониям. Португалия вывела свои G.91 из Гвинеи после предоставления ей независимости в 1974 году, а ее войска также покинули Мозамбик. Одна из эскадрилий G.91 была ненадолго развернута в Анголе в конце 1974 года, чтобы попытаться предотвратить боевые действия между соперниками Национальным фронтом освобождения Анголы (FNLA) и Национальным союзом за полную независимость Анголы (UNITA), и в конечном итоге была выведена обратно в Португалию в январе 1975 года.
G.91s arrived in Portuguese Guinea in 1966, equipping Esquadra 121 Tigres based at Bissau, and being used for reconnaissance and close support with rockets, napalm and bombs against PAIGC rebels. When the PAIGC started to be supplied with Soviet made Strela 2 (NATO designation SA 7 Grail) MANPADS in early 1973, these immediately became a threat to Portuguese air superiority. On 25 March 1973, and 28 March, two FAP G.91s were shot down by missiles within three days, with a further two lost to conventional ground fire later in the year. (By comparison, only two G.91s had been lost in Guinea from 1966 to 1973.) A final G.91 was lost to a missile on 31 January 1974, while Strelas were also responsible for the loss of a T 6 Texan and two Do.27K 2s. G.91s deployed to Mozambique at the end of 1968, equipping Esquadra 502 Jaguares ininitally at Beira, later moving to Nacala, with a second squadron Esquadra 702 Escorpiões (Scorpions) forming in September 1970 at Tete, flying against FRELIMO forces. FRELIMO also received Strelas in 1973, although unlike elsewhere, the Portuguese in Mozambique did not lose any aircraft to missiles with Chinese support, even if it forced Portuguese pilots to change their tactics. The only G.91 destroyed in combat in Mozambique was the serial number 5429, flown by Lt. Emilio Lourenço: his plane was destroyed and Lourenço killed by a premature detonation of its bombs while flying a strike against rebel positions on 15 March 1973. In 1973, with the United Nations weapons embargo against Portugal, the Air Force faced problems purchasing further numbers of close air support aircraft. An attempt was then made to acquire more Fiat G.91s from Germany by having Dornier disassembling the aircraft and then selling them as spare parts to Switzerland and Spain. These spare parts would be later sold to Portugal and assembled locally with different serial numbers. However, the deal did not follow through as the German government vetoed it. In April 1974, the Portuguese government fell in the Carnation Revolution, with the new government seeking to grant its colonies independence. Portugal withdrew its G.91s from Guinea when it was granted independence in 1974, with its forces also leaving Mozambique. One of the G.91 squadrons was briefly deployed to Angola in late 1974, in order to try to prevent fighting between rival National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) forces, being finally withdrawn back to Portugal in January 1975. In 1976, a second purchase of 14 G.91 R/3s and 7 G.91 T/3 trainers was made from Germany, which were followed by further aircraft when the G.91 was withdrawn from Luftwaffe service in from 1980 to 1982, giving a total of 70 R/3s and 26 T/3s, although not all of these entered service, with many being broken up for spare parts. Portugal finally phased out the last of its G.91s in 1993. The G.91 R/4 variant, of which 25 aircraft were intended to be delivered to both Greece and Turkey, employed the same armament as the G.91 R/1 while using the equipment of the R/3 variant. However, both Greece and Turkey would ultimately not induct any G.91s, these aircraft were instead passed onto Germany's inventory instead. Trainer and reconnaissance variants were produced right from the start of G.91 production, but the basic design of the aircraft remained virtually unchanged throughout almost the entire production run of the aircraft. The one major difference is that the R series aircraft were single seaters, while the T series aircraft had two seats. To accommodate the extra seat, the T series aircraft had a slightly longer fuselage. G.91 Prototypes and pre production aircraft. G.91A A single prototype, built to test wing slats and fuel tanks in the wings. G.91T/1 Trainer version of G.91R/1 for Italian Air Force. The G.91Y first flew on 12 December 1966 and displayed an improvement in speed, range, payload, and manoeuvrability. The maximum speed was increased to 1,110 km/h (690 mph, 600 kn, Mach 0.91). The machine guns were replaced by a pair of DEFA 552 30 mm cannon with 125 rounds per gun. All the aircraft built served with the Italian Air Force. G.91YTA projected two seat version of the G.91Y, not built. G.91YSProposed version of the G.91Y for Switzerland, one built.
В 1976 году в Германии была произведена вторая закупка 14 G.91 R/3 и 7 G.91 T/3, за которой последовала дальнейшая поставка самолетов после вывода G.91 из эксплуатации в немецких ВВС (Luftwaffe) в период с 1980 по 1982 год, в общей сложности 70 R/3 и 26 T/3, хотя не все из них были введены в эксплуатацию, многие были разобраны на запчасти. Португалия окончательно вывела из эксплуатации последний G.91 в 1993 году.
G.91s arrived in Portuguese Guinea in 1966, equipping Esquadra 121 Tigres based at Bissau, and being used for reconnaissance and close support with rockets, napalm and bombs against PAIGC rebels. When the PAIGC started to be supplied with Soviet made Strela 2 (NATO designation SA 7 Grail) MANPADS in early 1973, these immediately became a threat to Portuguese air superiority. On 25 March 1973, and 28 March, two FAP G.91s were shot down by missiles within three days, with a further two lost to conventional ground fire later in the year. (By comparison, only two G.91s had been lost in Guinea from 1966 to 1973.) A final G.91 was lost to a missile on 31 January 1974, while Strelas were also responsible for the loss of a T 6 Texan and two Do.27K 2s. G.91s deployed to Mozambique at the end of 1968, equipping Esquadra 502 Jaguares ininitally at Beira, later moving to Nacala, with a second squadron Esquadra 702 Escorpiões (Scorpions) forming in September 1970 at Tete, flying against FRELIMO forces. FRELIMO also received Strelas in 1973, although unlike elsewhere, the Portuguese in Mozambique did not lose any aircraft to missiles with Chinese support, even if it forced Portuguese pilots to change their tactics. The only G.91 destroyed in combat in Mozambique was the serial number 5429, flown by Lt. Emilio Lourenço: his plane was destroyed and Lourenço killed by a premature detonation of its bombs while flying a strike against rebel positions on 15 March 1973. In 1973, with the United Nations weapons embargo against Portugal, the Air Force faced problems purchasing further numbers of close air support aircraft. An attempt was then made to acquire more Fiat G.91s from Germany by having Dornier disassembling the aircraft and then selling them as spare parts to Switzerland and Spain. These spare parts would be later sold to Portugal and assembled locally with different serial numbers. However, the deal did not follow through as the German government vetoed it. In April 1974, the Portuguese government fell in the Carnation Revolution, with the new government seeking to grant its colonies independence. Portugal withdrew its G.91s from Guinea when it was granted independence in 1974, with its forces also leaving Mozambique. One of the G.91 squadrons was briefly deployed to Angola in late 1974, in order to try to prevent fighting between rival National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) forces, being finally withdrawn back to Portugal in January 1975. In 1976, a second purchase of 14 G.91 R/3s and 7 G.91 T/3 trainers was made from Germany, which were followed by further aircraft when the G.91 was withdrawn from Luftwaffe service in from 1980 to 1982, giving a total of 70 R/3s and 26 T/3s, although not all of these entered service, with many being broken up for spare parts. Portugal finally phased out the last of its G.91s in 1993. The G.91 R/4 variant, of which 25 aircraft were intended to be delivered to both Greece and Turkey, employed the same armament as the G.91 R/1 while using the equipment of the R/3 variant. However, both Greece and Turkey would ultimately not induct any G.91s, these aircraft were instead passed onto Germany's inventory instead. Trainer and reconnaissance variants were produced right from the start of G.91 production, but the basic design of the aircraft remained virtually unchanged throughout almost the entire production run of the aircraft. The one major difference is that the R series aircraft were single seaters, while the T series aircraft had two seats. To accommodate the extra seat, the T series aircraft had a slightly longer fuselage. G.91 Prototypes and pre production aircraft. G.91A A single prototype, built to test wing slats and fuel tanks in the wings. G.91T/1 Trainer version of G.91R/1 for Italian Air Force. The G.91Y first flew on 12 December 1966 and displayed an improvement in speed, range, payload, and manoeuvrability. The maximum speed was increased to 1,110 km/h (690 mph, 600 kn, Mach 0.91). The machine guns were replaced by a pair of DEFA 552 30 mm cannon with 125 rounds per gun. All the aircraft built served with the Italian Air Force. G.91YTA projected two seat version of the G.91Y, not built. G.91YSProposed version of the G.91Y for Switzerland, one built.
Вариант G.91 R/4, из которых 25 самолетов предназначались для поставки Греции и Турции, использовал то же вооружение, что и G.91 R/1, при этом использовалось оборудование варианта R/3. Однако ни Греция, ни Турция в конечном итоге не приняли G.91 на вооружение, и эти самолеты были переданы в запасы Германии. Тренерские и разведывательные варианты производились с самого начала производства G.91, но базовая конструкция самолета оставалась практически неизменной на протяжении почти всего производственного цикла. Основное отличие заключалось в том, что самолеты серии R были одноместными, а самолеты серии T – двухместными. Для размещения дополнительного сиденья фюзеляж самолетов серии T был немного длиннее.
G.91s arrived in Portuguese Guinea in 1966, equipping Esquadra 121 Tigres based at Bissau, and being used for reconnaissance and close support with rockets, napalm and bombs against PAIGC rebels. When the PAIGC started to be supplied with Soviet made Strela 2 (NATO designation SA 7 Grail) MANPADS in early 1973, these immediately became a threat to Portuguese air superiority. On 25 March 1973, and 28 March, two FAP G.91s were shot down by missiles within three days, with a further two lost to conventional ground fire later in the year. (By comparison, only two G.91s had been lost in Guinea from 1966 to 1973.) A final G.91 was lost to a missile on 31 January 1974, while Strelas were also responsible for the loss of a T 6 Texan and two Do.27K 2s. G.91s deployed to Mozambique at the end of 1968, equipping Esquadra 502 Jaguares ininitally at Beira, later moving to Nacala, with a second squadron Esquadra 702 Escorpiões (Scorpions) forming in September 1970 at Tete, flying against FRELIMO forces. FRELIMO also received Strelas in 1973, although unlike elsewhere, the Portuguese in Mozambique did not lose any aircraft to missiles with Chinese support, even if it forced Portuguese pilots to change their tactics. The only G.91 destroyed in combat in Mozambique was the serial number 5429, flown by Lt. Emilio Lourenço: his plane was destroyed and Lourenço killed by a premature detonation of its bombs while flying a strike against rebel positions on 15 March 1973. In 1973, with the United Nations weapons embargo against Portugal, the Air Force faced problems purchasing further numbers of close air support aircraft. An attempt was then made to acquire more Fiat G.91s from Germany by having Dornier disassembling the aircraft and then selling them as spare parts to Switzerland and Spain. These spare parts would be later sold to Portugal and assembled locally with different serial numbers. However, the deal did not follow through as the German government vetoed it. In April 1974, the Portuguese government fell in the Carnation Revolution, with the new government seeking to grant its colonies independence. Portugal withdrew its G.91s from Guinea when it was granted independence in 1974, with its forces also leaving Mozambique. One of the G.91 squadrons was briefly deployed to Angola in late 1974, in order to try to prevent fighting between rival National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) forces, being finally withdrawn back to Portugal in January 1975. In 1976, a second purchase of 14 G.91 R/3s and 7 G.91 T/3 trainers was made from Germany, which were followed by further aircraft when the G.91 was withdrawn from Luftwaffe service in from 1980 to 1982, giving a total of 70 R/3s and 26 T/3s, although not all of these entered service, with many being broken up for spare parts. Portugal finally phased out the last of its G.91s in 1993. The G.91 R/4 variant, of which 25 aircraft were intended to be delivered to both Greece and Turkey, employed the same armament as the G.91 R/1 while using the equipment of the R/3 variant. However, both Greece and Turkey would ultimately not induct any G.91s, these aircraft were instead passed onto Germany's inventory instead. Trainer and reconnaissance variants were produced right from the start of G.91 production, but the basic design of the aircraft remained virtually unchanged throughout almost the entire production run of the aircraft. The one major difference is that the R series aircraft were single seaters, while the T series aircraft had two seats. To accommodate the extra seat, the T series aircraft had a slightly longer fuselage. G.91 Prototypes and pre production aircraft. G.91A A single prototype, built to test wing slats and fuel tanks in the wings. G.91T/1 Trainer version of G.91R/1 for Italian Air Force. The G.91Y first flew on 12 December 1966 and displayed an improvement in speed, range, payload, and manoeuvrability. The maximum speed was increased to 1,110 km/h (690 mph, 600 kn, Mach 0.91). The machine guns were replaced by a pair of DEFA 552 30 mm cannon with 125 rounds per gun. All the aircraft built served with the Italian Air Force. G.91YTA projected two seat version of the G.91Y, not built. G.91YSProposed version of the G.91Y for Switzerland, one built.
Прототипы и предсерийные G.91:
G.91s arrived in Portuguese Guinea in 1966, equipping Esquadra 121 Tigres based at Bissau, and being used for reconnaissance and close support with rockets, napalm and bombs against PAIGC rebels. When the PAIGC started to be supplied with Soviet made Strela 2 (NATO designation SA 7 Grail) MANPADS in early 1973, these immediately became a threat to Portuguese air superiority. On 25 March 1973, and 28 March, two FAP G.91s were shot down by missiles within three days, with a further two lost to conventional ground fire later in the year. (By comparison, only two G.91s had been lost in Guinea from 1966 to 1973.) A final G.91 was lost to a missile on 31 January 1974, while Strelas were also responsible for the loss of a T 6 Texan and two Do.27K 2s. G.91s deployed to Mozambique at the end of 1968, equipping Esquadra 502 Jaguares ininitally at Beira, later moving to Nacala, with a second squadron Esquadra 702 Escorpiões (Scorpions) forming in September 1970 at Tete, flying against FRELIMO forces. FRELIMO also received Strelas in 1973, although unlike elsewhere, the Portuguese in Mozambique did not lose any aircraft to missiles with Chinese support, even if it forced Portuguese pilots to change their tactics. The only G.91 destroyed in combat in Mozambique was the serial number 5429, flown by Lt. Emilio Lourenço: his plane was destroyed and Lourenço killed by a premature detonation of its bombs while flying a strike against rebel positions on 15 March 1973. In 1973, with the United Nations weapons embargo against Portugal, the Air Force faced problems purchasing further numbers of close air support aircraft. An attempt was then made to acquire more Fiat G.91s from Germany by having Dornier disassembling the aircraft and then selling them as spare parts to Switzerland and Spain. These spare parts would be later sold to Portugal and assembled locally with different serial numbers. However, the deal did not follow through as the German government vetoed it. In April 1974, the Portuguese government fell in the Carnation Revolution, with the new government seeking to grant its colonies independence. Portugal withdrew its G.91s from Guinea when it was granted independence in 1974, with its forces also leaving Mozambique. One of the G.91 squadrons was briefly deployed to Angola in late 1974, in order to try to prevent fighting between rival National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) forces, being finally withdrawn back to Portugal in January 1975. In 1976, a second purchase of 14 G.91 R/3s and 7 G.91 T/3 trainers was made from Germany, which were followed by further aircraft when the G.91 was withdrawn from Luftwaffe service in from 1980 to 1982, giving a total of 70 R/3s and 26 T/3s, although not all of these entered service, with many being broken up for spare parts. Portugal finally phased out the last of its G.91s in 1993. The G.91 R/4 variant, of which 25 aircraft were intended to be delivered to both Greece and Turkey, employed the same armament as the G.91 R/1 while using the equipment of the R/3 variant. However, both Greece and Turkey would ultimately not induct any G.91s, these aircraft were instead passed onto Germany's inventory instead. Trainer and reconnaissance variants were produced right from the start of G.91 production, but the basic design of the aircraft remained virtually unchanged throughout almost the entire production run of the aircraft. The one major difference is that the R series aircraft were single seaters, while the T series aircraft had two seats. To accommodate the extra seat, the T series aircraft had a slightly longer fuselage. G.91 Prototypes and pre production aircraft. G.91A A single prototype, built to test wing slats and fuel tanks in the wings. G.91T/1 Trainer version of G.91R/1 for Italian Air Force. The G.91Y first flew on 12 December 1966 and displayed an improvement in speed, range, payload, and manoeuvrability. The maximum speed was increased to 1,110 km/h (690 mph, 600 kn, Mach 0.91). The machine guns were replaced by a pair of DEFA 552 30 mm cannon with 125 rounds per gun. All the aircraft built served with the Italian Air Force. G.91YTA projected two seat version of the G.91Y, not built. G.91YSProposed version of the G.91Y for Switzerland, one built.
G.91A – Единственный прототип, построенный для испытаний предкрылков и топливных баков в крыльях.
G.91T/1 – Тренерская версия G.91R/1 для итальянских ВВС.
G.91Y – Совершил первый полет 12 декабря 1966 года и продемонстрировал улучшение скорости, дальности, полезной нагрузки и маневренности. Максимальная скорость была увеличена до 1110 км/ч (690 миль/ч, 600 узлов, 0,91 Маха). Пулеметы были заменены парой 30-мм пушек DEFA 552 с 125 снарядами на ствол. Все построенные самолеты поступили на вооружение итальянских ВВС.
G.91YTA – Проектируемая двухместная версия G.91Y, не была построена.
G.91YS – Предлагаемая версия G.91Y для Швейцарии, построен один экземпляр.
G.91s arrived in Portuguese Guinea in 1966, equipping Esquadra 121 Tigres based at Bissau, and being used for reconnaissance and close support with rockets, napalm and bombs against PAIGC rebels. When the PAIGC started to be supplied with Soviet made Strela 2 (NATO designation SA 7 Grail) MANPADS in early 1973, these immediately became a threat to Portuguese air superiority. On 25 March 1973, and 28 March, two FAP G.91s were shot down by missiles within three days, with a further two lost to conventional ground fire later in the year. (By comparison, only two G.91s had been lost in Guinea from 1966 to 1973.) A final G.91 was lost to a missile on 31 January 1974, while Strelas were also responsible for the loss of a T 6 Texan and two Do.27K 2s. G.91s deployed to Mozambique at the end of 1968, equipping Esquadra 502 Jaguares ininitally at Beira, later moving to Nacala, with a second squadron Esquadra 702 Escorpiões (Scorpions) forming in September 1970 at Tete, flying against FRELIMO forces. FRELIMO also received Strelas in 1973, although unlike elsewhere, the Portuguese in Mozambique did not lose any aircraft to missiles with Chinese support, even if it forced Portuguese pilots to change their tactics. The only G.91 destroyed in combat in Mozambique was the serial number 5429, flown by Lt. Emilio Lourenço: his plane was destroyed and Lourenço killed by a premature detonation of its bombs while flying a strike against rebel positions on 15 March 1973. In 1973, with the United Nations weapons embargo against Portugal, the Air Force faced problems purchasing further numbers of close air support aircraft. An attempt was then made to acquire more Fiat G.91s from Germany by having Dornier disassembling the aircraft and then selling them as spare parts to Switzerland and Spain. These spare parts would be later sold to Portugal and assembled locally with different serial numbers. However, the deal did not follow through as the German government vetoed it. In April 1974, the Portuguese government fell in the Carnation Revolution, with the new government seeking to grant its colonies independence. Portugal withdrew its G.91s from Guinea when it was granted independence in 1974, with its forces also leaving Mozambique. One of the G.91 squadrons was briefly deployed to Angola in late 1974, in order to try to prevent fighting between rival National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) forces, being finally withdrawn back to Portugal in January 1975. In 1976, a second purchase of 14 G.91 R/3s and 7 G.91 T/3 trainers was made from Germany, which were followed by further aircraft when the G.91 was withdrawn from Luftwaffe service in from 1980 to 1982, giving a total of 70 R/3s and 26 T/3s, although not all of these entered service, with many being broken up for spare parts. Portugal finally phased out the last of its G.91s in 1993. The G.91 R/4 variant, of which 25 aircraft were intended to be delivered to both Greece and Turkey, employed the same armament as the G.91 R/1 while using the equipment of the R/3 variant. However, both Greece and Turkey would ultimately not induct any G.91s, these aircraft were instead passed onto Germany's inventory instead. Trainer and reconnaissance variants were produced right from the start of G.91 production, but the basic design of the aircraft remained virtually unchanged throughout almost the entire production run of the aircraft. The one major difference is that the R series aircraft were single seaters, while the T series aircraft had two seats. To accommodate the extra seat, the T series aircraft had a slightly longer fuselage. G.91 Prototypes and pre production aircraft. G.91A A single prototype, built to test wing slats and fuel tanks in the wings. G.91T/1 Trainer version of G.91R/1 for Italian Air Force. The G.91Y first flew on 12 December 1966 and displayed an improvement in speed, range, payload, and manoeuvrability. The maximum speed was increased to 1,110 km/h (690 mph, 600 kn, Mach 0.91). The machine guns were replaced by a pair of DEFA 552 30 mm cannon with 125 rounds per gun. All the aircraft built served with the Italian Air Force. G.91YTA projected two seat version of the G.91Y, not built. G.91YSProposed version of the G.91Y for Switzerland, one built.