Fiat G.46
Descrizione del restauro
In the years immediately following the end of World War II rebuilding the Air Force needed to restore the number of staff from training of new students. This need found a perfect solution in the first period of a trainer whose project had been prepared by the Technical Office of FIAT directed by Ing. Celestine Rosatelli.
The aircraft, built around the only engine available at the time, the Alfa 115, responded to the formula of the plane lightweight, with an output of 200/300 hp.
Compact and elegant at the same time, the aircraft was built in the period 46/47, had good aerodynamic characteristics and mechanical strength.
It was an aircraft at the time updated with the latest construction techniques, low-wing monoplane with a totally dural structure, except for some steel parts.
The untimely death of the engineer. Rosatelli the project, now complete in every aspect, however, came under the direction of Ing. Gabrielli, who affixed his initials and the year of construction ('46).
Of these aircraft that marked the resumption of aviation in our country remain a few specimens.
One of these, after various vicissitudes, was finally acquired by GAVS Section of Vicenza, which has started the restoration. This is an example of which we have been recovered the origins thanks to the tenacity and ongoing research conducted by the Restoration Team.The comparison between a photo where the military numbers of the aircraft flying in Padua at the time of its military use and a second picture that depicts the fuselage with out the serial number of the military construction and the civil code at the time of the arrival in Vicenza with the shareholders of the Camisano Associazione Arma Aeronautica is satisfied that it is the Fiat G.46-4B aircraft, construction number 169 MM53409.
The plane was on duty in the Nucleo Volo of the II^ Zona Aerea Territoriale airport Brusagena of Padova, during '50 years. The code of the aircraft was two Z-10. At that time, although there are no precise figures, aircraft on duty of this kind must have been about a dozen.
It's very likely that the aircraft may have been used by the "Pattuglia della Giovinezza", an acrobatic team formed by the G.46 and M.llo E. Tarantola, Captain I.Larese and Ten. R.Damiani, also excellent acrobats lonely, especially M.llo Tarantola also known by the nickname of "Banana"
Stopped their military, the aircraft and that of many other G.46, was transferred to a flying club. The last memory "civilian" aircraft that we have the membership of the Aeroclub of Modena with the code I-AEKB. Once disbarred in 1973 was sold to nucleus of the AAA Camisano Vicentino (Vicenza), whose members were motivated by the desire to place the aircraft in their country.
The old members of Camisano recall that the aircraft was in good condition so much so that there was an engine test. The accommodation must be made in a public area and for this purpose it was given to the City that placed it in the courtyard of the school.
After more than 35 years of outdoor exposure to the weather the condition of the aircraft has progressively worsened and in 2009 it presented in poor condition.
After this exposure period the council interested in the AAA Club of Vicenza and connected Club Frecce Tricolori / GAVS Vicenza) to see if there could be interest in the collocation of the relic into the restoring Aeronautical Museum in Vicenza.
An initial site inspection in the winter of 2009 allowed the aircraft to determine that a recovery was possible, but desirable. And so it was. In the summer of 2010 the aircraft was dismantled and brought to Vicenza, where began the process of restoration. The activity is currently taking place in the historic hangar of the former airport "Dal Molin", where the museum is intended to be definitive.
In order to continue the restoration work, the G.46 will later be moved to another hangar adjacent to the historic one when the latter will be the subject of a major restoration works to be used as a museum.
The long and complex restoration work involves the entire aircraft paint stripping and cleaning, the partial replacement of some sections of sheet metal not repairable, a careful job of filling, in particular in the dorsal part of the fuselage where the hail has raged with violence creates many small dents.
Last but not least, a careful analysis of the missing instrumentation in seeking in the "warehouse" of which has fortunately section and relying on what other members will give GAVS. And yet, the entire renovation of the glass part of carriers using polycarbonate and finally the painting, with the drafting of the primer and paint silver.
The work is proceeding despite the greater logistical issues determined by the need to temporarily transfer to Section GAVS to the civil area of the airport "Dal Molin".
Large portions of fusolera have been restored and are now ready for painting. The Alfa 115 has been returned it to its original splendor, as well as accessories and related equipment, as is also evident from the pictures the spinner, propeller and engine cowling of the portions are now fully recovered.