Fiat G.12 Explained
The Fiat G.12 was an Italian transport aircraft of World War II.
Design and development
The G.12 was an all-metal low-wing cantilever personnel transport aircraft. It had three radial engines, one mounted on the nose and the other two in wing-mounted nacelles. The engines drove three-blade feathering metal propellers. The mainwheels of its landing gear retracted into the nacelles; the tailwheel was fixed. The flight deck and cabin were fully enclosed. Access was via a portside access door aft of the wing.
The G.12 was designed as a civil aircraft, but served mainly in military roles during the war. Only a limited number were built, some as late as 1944, after the Italian armistice. The G.12 inspired the postwar G.212 "Flying Classroom", the last Italian three-engine transporter. It had a crew of four.
Variants
- G.12C
14-passenger transport aircraft, powered by three 574 kW (770 hp) Fiat A.74 R.C.42 radial engines.
- G.12 Gondar
Long-range cargo transport aircraft.
- G.12GA
Long-range transport aircraft, fitted with extra fuel tanks. Three built.
- G.12RT
Special long-range version, built to fly between Rome and Tokyo. One built.
- G.12RTbis
One built.
- G.12T
Troop and cargo transport aircraft.
- G.12CA
18-passenger commercial airliner, powered by three Alfa Romeo 128 radial engines.
- G.12L
22-passenger commercial airliner.
- G.12LA
22-passenger commercial airliner, powered by three Alfa Romeo 128 radial engines.
- G.12LB
22-passenger commercial airliner, powered by three 604 kW (810 hp) Bristol Pegasus 48 radial engines.
- G.12LP
22-passenger commercial airliner, powered by three 793 kW (1,065 hp) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S1C3-G Twin Wasp radial engines.Operators
Military operators
- Germany
- Hungary
Civil operators
- Ali Flotti Riunite[2]
- Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane[2]
Bibliography
- Angelucci, Enzo The World Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. London:Jane's Publishing, 1981. .
- Angelucci, Enzo The World Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, London, 1987.
- de Marchi. Italo. Les Fiat G. 12: 1re période: avant et pendant la guerre. Le Fana de l'Aviation . Oct 1982 . 155. 50–59 . 0757-4169 . fr. Fiat G. 12: The 1st Period before and during the War.
- Stroud, John. European Transport Aircraft since 1910. London: Putnam, 1966.
- Stroud, John. "Post War Propliners : Fiat G.12 and G.212". Aeroplane Monthly. Volume 23 No. 1, January 1994. London: IPC. Page 64-68.
External links
Notes and References
- Stroud 1966, p. 417.
- Stroud 1966, p. 418.