This page features aircraft that ing. Giuseppe Gabrielli developed for FIAT during the Regia Aeronautica era. Born in Sicily 1903, he had a long distinguished career that continued long after WWII had ended.

FIAT G.5. This aircraft was a fairly large 1930's single-engined low-wing monoplane built for touring and training purposes. Only a handful were built. Choroszy Modelbud do a nice 1/72 resin kit and Aerofan 80 features a useful article on this aircraft.

FIAT G.12. A tri-motor transport powered by FIAT A.74 radials. It first flew in 1940 and a total of 104 were built. Originally designed for commercial airline use, most were used by the Regia Aeronautica as transport & troop carriers. The sole kit of this aircraft was the Aerodim/SEM Model 1/72 resin model which is now OOP.

FIAT G.212. A variant of the G.12 that was built built post-war with a larger fuselage and increased wingspan. The first variant was the G.212CA, which had Alfa Romeo 128 radials. Two more Twin-Wasp engined variants were built, the G.212CP airliner and the G.212TP civil and military transport. The Italian Air Force converted 6 CP's into the G.212 AV (Aula Volante) as a flying classroom of which there is a surviving example in the Italian Air Force Museum in Vigna di Valle. Broplan released two 1/72 vac-form G.212 kits covering both military and civilian variants.  

FIAT G-18. First flown in 1935, the first 3 G.18's had FIAT A.59 radials which were found to be underpowered. 6 more G.18's were built with the uprated FIAT A.80 engine. They were operated by the LATI airline on European routes and were all commandeered by the Regia Aeronautica for troop transport. Issue 87 of Aerofan has a large article on this aircraft. ItalianKits released a 1/72 resin kit, originally an Italian Wings product, but Fabrimore-Soldier now own the masters.

FIAT G.50 Freccia. Although Celestino Rostatelli was FIAT's favoured designer at the time, the air ministry showed much interest in Gabrielli's G.50 concept. It was Italy's first all-metal monoplane fighter design. The distinctive open cockpit was introduced during service with the Aviazione Legionaria in Spain after complaints about the original Serie I's enclosed canopy. Despite good handling, it suffered from a lack of firepower & performance and was relegated to training duties with both the Regia Aeronautica & Luftwaffe. The G.50 saw more success in the Finnish Air force where they proved very effective against the Soviets during 1941, losing just three G.50's against 99 victories, 23 of which were claimed by ace pilot Oiva Tuominen. The G.50 has proved to be a very popular modelling subject.

AML released numerous 1/72 boxings of the G.50, covering every variant except the G.50V DB engined prototype (ItalianKits covered the G.50V in 1/72 resin but is OOP). AML's latest releases, shared with FLY Models, is the best injection moulded kit to get in this scale. Only the SBS Models 1/72 resin kit is any better. Flying Machines trio of 1/48 G.50 kits are good kits too but are rather scarce. The rather crude 1/48 Secter kit formed the basis of the Hasegawa & Pacific Coast Models G.50 kits but are OOP, as are the highly complex and wonderfully detailed range of 1/48 Italian Classic resin products. In 1/32 scale you may still be able to get your hands on one the excellent Special Hobby limited run kits, which includes the two seater trainer B (biposto) variant. For fans of 1/144 scale modelling, there is  choice of the Mark 1 Models and Metallic Detail kits. The Metallic Detail kit is 3-D printed.

FIAT G.55. An evolutionary development of the FIAT G.50V. With so many changes made to the airframe, it was given a new G.55 designation. Together with the Macchi Folgore/Veltro & the RE.2005, it was more than a match for rival Allied fighters of the time. The G.55 had only just entered service with the Regia Aeronautica when the Armistice was signed, so it saw most action in the ANR. It was a very capable aircraft especially at altitude thanks to its large wing area. At the end of hostilities there were sufficient airframes to continue production. A total of 75 more single and two-seat aircraft were built, most of which were sent to Argentina.

This aircraft had been badly served by model kit companies, with just the very basic 1/72 Supermodel, Frog & Revell kits and the poor 1/50 SMER/Artiplast kit to choose from. Since then, others have come and gone. This includes Pacific Coast Models impressive 1/32 kit, the 1/72 Misterkit resin kit, the 1/48 RCR resin and Classic Airframe kits. Both Special Hobby & Flying Machines produced a range of good quality 1/72 & 1/48 kits but they are getting scarce, leaving just the Sword 1/72 double kit. Sword moulded the PCM 1/32 kit so it is a worthwhile purchase.

FIAT G.56. Germany were hugely impressed with the FIAT G.55, so much so, they oversaw the development of a G.56 variant, fitted with the powerful DB.603 engine. It had an official top speed of 425mph but is known to have reached 430/440mph. It was not ordered into production despite such exceptional performance. Special Hobby released a G.56 boxing of their 1/72 G.55 kit with additional resin parst and LF Models released both 1/48 & 1/72 resin kits.

FIAT G.59. With insufficient supplies of the D.Benz powerplant to continue post war production of the G.55, the decision was made in 1948 to adapt the airframe to enable the installation of the Roll Royce Merlin engine. The resulting airframe was given the G.59 designation and a bubble canopy modification was introduced during production. These two changes completely changed the appearance of this aircraft. The now defunct Italiankits website released a variety of G.59 conversion sets, mostly in 1/72 scale.

G.212

G.12

G.18

Model images are links to a build article

G.59