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This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Fiat G-59 Survivors?

Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:42 am

With the continuing thread of Meier Motors showing the G-59/G-55 conversion it got me wondering how many G-59 survivors are out there? Are there any others?

MM53265 - Converted to G-55, Vigna di Valle Air Historic Museum near Rome
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MM53276 - Italian Historic Museum?
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MM53278 Guido Zuccoli, Is this airframe currently in single or dual cockpit configuration? Still flying?
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MM53774 Italy I-MRSV -Still flying?
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MM53778 - Meier Motors
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Re: Fiat G-59 Survivors?

Wed Feb 27, 2013 12:08 pm

According to the 5th edition of the Warbird Directory these are the 8 survivors:
G.59-2B MM53136
G.59-2A MM53265
G.59-4B MM53276
G.59-4B MM53530
G.59-4B MM53772
G.59B-4A MM53526
G.59B-4B MM53774
G.59B-4B MM53778

Re: Fiat G-59 Survivors?

Wed Feb 27, 2013 12:26 pm

Warbirdnerd wrote:According to the 5th edition of the Warbird Directory these are the 8 survivors:
G.59-2B MM53136
G.59-2A MM53265
G.59-4B MM53276
G.59-4B MM53530
G.59-4B MM53772
G.59B-4A MM53526
G.59B-4B MM53774
G.59B-4B MM53778


I've found additional references to Guido Zucolli's G-59 as being MM53278 (not included on above list) and MM53772.
Which is correct?

G.59-2B MM53136
http://www.eurodemobbed.org.uk/gallery_ ... raft=50951

G.59B-4A MM53526
http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1389680/

G.59-4B MM53530 -???
Last edited by mike furline on Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Re: Fiat G-59 Survivors?

Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:49 pm

I believe Zucolli's is now grounded, requiring a major input of $ if it is to fly again.

Re: Fiat G-59 Survivors?

Wed Feb 27, 2013 4:14 pm

Hi Mike,
if the question mark next to MM53276 means you're unsure where that photo was taken: it was taken inside the 'Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica Militare Italiana' (literally: Historical museum of the Italian military aviation) in Vigna di Valle (Italy), where also MM53265 is preserved. I've seen your photo of MM53265 before, and I forget now where that was taken, but it wasn't in Vigna di Valle.
Sorry, can't help with other survivors.
Roger

Re: Fiat G-59 Survivors?

Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:04 pm

Sanders' website has a nice overview of when they did the original restoration on Guido Zuccoli's G.59:

http://www.sandersaircraft.com/restorat ... uccoli.asp

Re: Fiat G-59 Survivors?

Thu Feb 28, 2013 7:10 am

The photo of MM53265 was taken at the anniversary air show at Pratica di Mare in May 1998.

G.59-4B MM53530 ??
Mike, not sure what you are querying with this one. It is under restoration at the University of Palermo (last seen Nov11). Photo at: http://www.guidastudentepalermo.net/mus ... agini.html

I am not aware of any additional survivors to the eight listed.

Andy Marden

European Military Out of Service
World Military Out of Service
USA Military Out of Service

Re: Fiat G-59 Survivors?

Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:13 am

Andy Marden wrote:The photo of MM53265 was taken at the anniversary air show at Pratica di Mare in May 1998.

G.59-4B MM53530 ??
Mike, not sure what you are querying with this one. It is under restoration at the University of Palermo (last seen Nov11). Photo at: http://www.guidastudentepalermo.net/mus ... agini.html

I am not aware of any additional survivors to the eight listed.

Andy Marden

European Military Out of Service
World Military Out of Service
USA Military Out of Service


Thanks, hadn't been able to find a picture of that one.

Re: Fiat G-59 Survivors?

Thu Feb 28, 2013 9:02 pm

Classic Wings did a feature on surviving Fiat fighters in Issue 58. It's worth picking up as a back issue. They list Zuccoli's Fiat as MM53772.

Re: Fiat G-59 Survivors?

Sat Mar 02, 2013 2:19 am

I can inform that the Aerotec (Zuccoli Collection) Fiat G-59 4B aircraft, upon inspection corrosion has been found in the rear spar/s. Aerotec are currently looking at options with the view to getting the aircraft back into the air. 8) it will be a lengthy process as the wing structure on the Fiats are quite complex, compared to the late WW2 period aircraft of Mustang, P-40 and Spitfire.
The aircraft is curently in the two seat config. however watch this space as there will be a cosmetic change or two before the aircraft returns to the air.



Cheers
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