Fiat G.18
Fiat Aviazione · Italy · first flew 1935 · airliner
The Fiat G.18 was an Italian twin-engine passenger airliner of the mid-1930s, representing a significant step forward in Italian commercial aviation with its clean monoplane design, retractable undercarriage, and capacity for 18 passengers. It flew on Ala Littoria routes across Europe and the Mediterranean.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 18.81 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine Italian airliner of the mid-1930s with a clean low-wing monoplane layout
- Retractable undercarriage and smooth metal skin — modern for its era
- Capacity for 18 passengers in a spacious cabin for 1930s standards
A large, clean twin-engine low-wing monoplane with a circular cross-section fuselage and the smooth lines typical of 1930s Italian aeronautical design; the twin-engine nacelle placement and tailplane shape help distinguish it from German or American contemporaries.
Specifications
- The Fiat G.18 has a length of 18.81 m (62 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 25 m (82 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 400 km/h (249 mph).
- Typical crew: 3 + 18 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by Celestino Rosatelli's team at Fiat, the G.18 entered service with Ala Littoria in 1937. The improved G.18V with more powerful engines followed shortly after. The type flew Italian domestic and European routes until the war disrupted commercial operations; the surviving aircraft were then used by the Regia Aeronautica for transport duties.
Variants
The G.18V was the primary improved variant with Fiat A.80 RC.41 engines delivering better performance; both versions served alongside each other with Ala Littoria.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Ala Littoria on European routes from 1937; later impressed into Regia Aeronautica service as military transports during the Second World War.
Related aircraft
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