Classic jet becomes world’s sole airworthy example of its type

At Piacenza air base Italy, on 14 June, Fiat G91R/1A serial MM6305/I-AMIC completed its maiden post-restoration flight. The Bristol Siddeley Orpheus-powered light strike and reconnaissance aircraft is thus due to be a star attraction at the Italian Air Force’s centenary airshow at Pratica di Mare on Saturday 17-Sunday 18 June.

Owned by Renzo Catellani, the G91 was in the hands of former Aeronautica Militare test pilot Gen Maurizio Lodovisi. It has thus become the sole airworthy ‘Gina’ in the world, and the first example of the type to fly anywhere since the Italian Air Force phased the type out of service during 1995.

MM6305 was acquired by Renzo Catellani during 2009. Its restoration was conducted by his Volafenice organisation, home-based at Reggio Emilia airfield, with considerable help from the Italian air arm. Initial engine runs took place last year. Since then the jet — which last served with the 2° Stormo — has been partially painted in the colours of Italy’s national aerobatic team, the Frecce Tricolori, which flew G91s between 1963 and 1982, when they were replaced by Aermacchi MB339s.

Volafenice is the sole civilian classic jet operator in Italy, and has already returned examples of the Aermacchi MB326E and MB326K to flying condition — the former acted as the chase aircraft when the G91 carried out its maiden flight. Both of those aeroplanes, as well as the G91, are scheduled to appear in the UK for the first time this summer when they form part of the Royal International Air Tattoo’s static celebration of the Italian Air Force centenary at RAF Fairford in July.