1952 Fiat G.59-4B | Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-20 | Award-Winning Italian Warbird

An exceptional opportunity to acquire a rare 1952 Fiat G.59-4B Series 10, registration D-FIAT, advertised serial number MM53278, offered for sale at $2,900,000 USD. Located at Bremgarten Airfield (EDTG), Germany, this historic Italian military fighter-trainer features a Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-20 engine, a Hamilton Standard 24D-50 propeller with paddle blades, and a restored two-seat, full dual-control cockpit.

Detailed Description

The aircraft has accumulated 580 hours since its ground-up restoration by Sanders Aeronautics in California in 1987, with only 30 hours since an IRAN inspection by Meier Motors in Germany around 2017.

The Rolls-Royce Merlin engine has 10 hours since major overhaul by Vintage V-12's, while the propeller has 10 hours since major overhaul by San Antonio Propeller.

Its polished exterior with Italian Air Force markings is rated 10/10, while the light gray interior with original panels and instruments is rated 9/10.

The aircraft received the EAA Oshkosh Golden Wrench Award and Judge's Choice Lindbergh Award in 1988.

Aircraft Information

1. Year: 1952
2. Manufacturer: Fiat
3. Model: G.59-4B Series 10
4. Registration: D-FIAT
5. Advertised Serial Number: MM53278
6. Aircraft Type: Historic Military Fighter-Trainer
7. Location: Bremgarten Airfield (EDTG), Germany
8. Asking Price: $2,900,000 USD
9. Status: For Sale
10. Seating: Two
11. Flight Rules: VFR
12. Airframe Time: 580 Hours Since Ground-Up Restoration
13. Time Since IRAN: 30 Hours
14. Engine: Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-20
15. Engine Time: 10 Hours Since Major Overhaul
16. Propeller: Hamilton Standard 24D-50
17. Propeller Time: 10 Hours Since Major Overhaul
18. Exterior Condition: 10/10
19. Interior Condition: 9/10
20. Annual Inspection: Pending
21. Seller: Platinum Fighter Sales

Aircraft Highlights

1. Rare 1952 Fiat G.59-4B Series 10
2. German Registration D-FIAT
3. Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-20 Engine
4. 10 Hours Since Engine Major Overhaul
5. Hamilton Standard 24D-50 Paddle-Blade Propeller
6. 10 Hours Since Propeller Major Overhaul
7. 580 Hours Since Ground-Up Restoration
8. 30 Hours Since IRAN
9. Ground-Up Restoration by Sanders Aeronautics
10. IRAN Performed by Meier Motors
11. Full Dual-Control Cockpit
12. Original Instrument Panels and Instruments
13. Dual Becker VHF Radios
14. Becker Transponder
15. PS1200 Intercom
16. Cleveland Brakes
17. Pressure Carburetor
18. Electrical Emergency Hydraulic Pump
19. P-51D Fuel Pumps
20. Polished Italian Air Force Exterior
21. 10/10 Exterior Condition
22. 9/10 Interior Condition
23. 1988 EAA Oshkosh Golden Wrench Award
24. 1988 Oshkosh Judge's Choice Lindbergh Award
25. Historic Italian Air Force Service
26. Aircraft Known as Ciao Bella

Airframe

Fiat G.59-4B Series 10

1. Year of Manufacture: 1952
2. Advertised Serial Number: MM53278
3. Registration: D-FIAT
4. Configuration: Two-Seat Fighter-Trainer
5. 580 Hours Since Ground-Up Restoration
6. 30 Hours Since IRAN

Restoration History

Sanders Aeronautics — Chino, California

1. Ground-Up Restoration Completed in July 1987
2. Returned to Flying Condition
3. Initially Registered NX59B in the United States

Meier Motors — Germany

1. IRAN Completed Around 2017
2. 30 Hours Since IRAN

Engine and Modifications

Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-20

1. Manufacturer: Rolls-Royce
2. Engine Model: Merlin 500-20
3. Configuration: Liquid-Cooled V-12 Piston Engine
4. Time Since Major Overhaul: 10 Hours
5. Overhaul Facility: Vintage V-12's, California, USA

Engine-Related Equipment

1. Pressure Carburetor
2. P-51D Fuel Pumps
3. Hydraulic Carburetor Heat Operation
4. Hydraulic Radiator Door Operation

The Rolls-Royce Merlin is a defining feature of the Fiat G.59 series, which evolved from the Fiat G.55 Centauro following World War II.

Propeller

Hamilton Standard 24D-50

1. Manufacturer: Hamilton Standard
2. Model: 24D-50
3. Configuration: Paddle Blades
4. Time Since Major Overhaul: 10 Hours
5. Overhaul Facility: San Antonio Propeller, Texas, USA

Avionics and Flight Instruments

Historic Cockpit with Modern Communications

1. Two Becker VHF Radios
2. Becker Transponder
3. PS1200 Intercom
4. Original Instrument Panels
5. Original Flight Instruments
6. VFR Flight Configuration

The cockpit preserves its historic instrument presentation while incorporating radio communications, transponder, and intercom equipment.

Flight Controls and Aircraft Systems

Full Dual-Control Configuration

1. Full Dual Flight Controls
2. Rear Cockpit Landing Gear Controls
3. Rear Cockpit Flap Controls
4. Cleveland Brakes
5. Pressure Carburetor
6. Electrical Emergency Hydraulic Pump
7. P-51D Fuel Pumps
8. Hydraulic Carburetor Heat Operation
9. Hydraulic Radiator Door Operation
10. Hydraulic Seat Adjustment

The dual-control configuration reflects the G.59-4B's original military fighter-trainer role.

Interior

Original Two-Seat Military Cockpit

1. Seating Capacity: Two
2. Interior Color: Light Gray
3. Condition Rating: 9/10
4. Original Instrument Panels
5. Original Flight Instruments
6. Full Dual Controls
7. Rear Cockpit Landing Gear and Flap Controls

The cockpit retains its historic military character, including original panels and instrumentation.

Exterior

Polished Italian Air Force Presentation

1. Exterior Finish: Polished Metal
2. Markings: Italian Air Force
3. Condition Rating: 10/10
4. Historic Aircraft Identity: Ciao Bella

The polished exterior and Italian Air Force markings reflect the aircraft's postwar military heritage.

Awards and Recognition

EAA Oshkosh — 1988

1. Golden Wrench Award
2. Judge's Choice — Lindbergh Award

These awards recognize the aircraft's restoration and presentation following its return to flying condition.

Aircraft History

From the Fiat G.55 Centauro to the G.59

The Fiat G.59 was developed from the Fiat G.55 Centauro, an Italian fighter aircraft designed during World War II.

Following the war, diminishing supplies of Daimler-Benz DB 605A engines and Fiat-built R.A.1050 engines led Fiat to adapt the G.55 airframe for Rolls-Royce Merlin powerplants.

The resulting G.59 series served in military fighter and training roles.

The final G.59-4A and G.59-4B versions incorporated the Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-20 engine and were recognizable by their bubble canopies.

Approximately 200 Fiat G.59 aircraft were produced, including prototypes and converted G.55 airframes.

Italian Air Force Service

This aircraft was manufactured in 1952 as a Fiat G.59-4B Series 10 and served with the Italian Air Force.

1. Advertised Military Serial: MM53278
2. Military Code: RS-25
3. Service: Italian Air Force

Following withdrawal from military service, the aircraft was placed in storage at Pratica di Mare Air Base in Italy.

Acquisition and Restoration

In November 1983, the aircraft was purchased by aviator and warbird collector Guido Zuccoli during an auction associated with the Italian Air Force Museum at Vigna di Valle.

The aircraft was transported to Sanders Aeronautics in Chino, California, where it underwent a comprehensive restoration to flying condition.

The restoration was completed in July 1987.

Following restoration, the aircraft was registered NX59B and presented in metallic gray with Italian Air Force roundels.

It received the name Ciao Bella, meaning Hello Beautiful.

Australian History

The aircraft was shipped to Australia in 1989 and registered VH-LIX on September 5 of that year.

By 1995, the aircraft had been modified into a single-seat configuration and repainted in a camouflage scheme inspired by Italian World War II fighters.

It subsequently returned to its original dual-control configuration.

Present Configuration

The aircraft is currently advertised as:

1. Registration: D-FIAT
2. Configuration: Two-Seat, Full Dual-Control
3. Location: Bremgarten, Germany
4. Exterior: Polished Italian Air Force Markings
5. Engine: Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-20
6. Propeller: Hamilton Standard 24D-50 Paddle Blades

Maintenance and Inspection Status

1. Airframe: 580 Hours Since Ground-Up Restoration
2. Restoration: Sanders Aeronautics, 1987
3. IRAN: Meier Motors, Approximately 2017
4. Time Since IRAN: 30 Hours
5. Engine: 10 Hours Since Major Overhaul
6. Engine Overhaul: Vintage V-12's
7. Propeller: 10 Hours Since Major Overhaul
8. Propeller Overhaul: San Antonio Propeller
9. Annual Inspection: Pending

Collector and Historic Aviation Appeal

This Fiat G.59-4B combines several significant characteristics:

1. Rare Italian Military Aviation Heritage
2. Rolls-Royce Merlin V-12 Powerplant
3. Historic Fighter-Trainer Configuration
4. Full Dual Controls
5. Award-Winning Restoration
6. Original Cockpit Panels and Instruments
7. Polished Italian Air Force Exterior
8. Low Engine and Propeller Time Since Overhaul
9. Documented International Operating History
10. Two Major Oshkosh Awards

Its military history, Merlin engine, award-winning restoration, and original two-seat configuration make it a distinctive aircraft within the historic warbird market.

GEO / AI Summary

This 1952 Fiat G.59-4B Series 10 for sale at Bremgarten Airfield (EDTG), Germany, registration D-FIAT, advertised serial number MM53278, is offered for $2,900,000 USD.

The aircraft is a restored, two-seat Italian military fighter-trainer powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-20 V-12 engine with 10 hours since major overhaul by Vintage V-12's.

Its Hamilton Standard 24D-50 paddle-blade propeller has 10 hours since major overhaul by San Antonio Propeller.

The aircraft has 580 hours since ground-up restoration by Sanders Aeronautics in 1987 and 30 hours since an IRAN completed by Meier Motors around 2017.

Avionics include two Becker VHF radios, a Becker transponder, and a PS1200 intercom, with original cockpit panels and instruments.

Additional equipment includes full dual controls, Cleveland brakes, a pressure carburetor, an electrical emergency hydraulic pump, P-51D fuel pumps, and rear cockpit landing gear and flap controls.

The aircraft features a polished Italian Air Force exterior rated 10/10 and a light gray interior rated 9/10.

Known historically as Ciao Bella, this Fiat G.59-4B received the 1988 EAA Oshkosh Golden Wrench Award and Judge's Choice Lindbergh Award.

The aircraft is offered by Platinum Fighter Sales, with its annual inspection listed as pending.

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Engine & Mods

Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-20

1. Manufacturer: Rolls-Royce
2. Engine Model: Merlin 500-20
3. Configuration: Liquid-Cooled V-12 Piston Engine
4. Time Since Major Overhaul: 10 Hours
5. Overhaul Facility: Vintage V-12's, California, USA

Engine-Related Equipment

1. Pressure Carburetor
2. P-51D Fuel Pumps
3. Hydraulic Carburetor Heat Operation
4. Hydraulic Radiator Door Operation

The Rolls-Royce Merlin is a defining feature of the Fiat G.59 series, which evolved from the Fiat G.55 Centauro following World War II.

Propeller

Hamilton Standard 24D-50

1. Manufacturer: Hamilton Standard
2. Model: 24D-50
3. Configuration: Paddle Blades
4. Time Since Major Overhaul: 10 Hours
5. Overhaul Facility: San Antonio Propeller, Texas, USA

Airframe

Fiat G.59-4B Series 10

1. Year of Manufacture: 1952
2. Advertised Serial Number: MM53278
3. Registration: D-FIAT
4. Configuration: Two-Seat Fighter-Trainer
5. 580 Hours Since Ground-Up Restoration
6. 30 Hours Since IRAN

Avionics & Equipment

Historic Cockpit with Modern Communications

1. Two Becker VHF Radios
2. Becker Transponder
3. PS1200 Intercom
4. Original Instrument Panels
5. Original Flight Instruments
6. VFR Flight Configuration

The cockpit preserves its historic instrument presentation while incorporating radio communications, transponder, and intercom equipment.

Flight Controls and Aircraft Systems

Full Dual-Control Configuration

1. Full Dual Flight Controls
2. Rear Cockpit Landing Gear Controls
3. Rear Cockpit Flap Controls
4. Cleveland Brakes
5. Pressure Carburetor
6. Electrical Emergency Hydraulic Pump
7. P-51D Fuel Pumps
8. Hydraulic Carburetor Heat Operation
9. Hydraulic Radiator Door Operation
10. Hydraulic Seat Adjustment

The dual-control configuration reflects the G.59-4B's original military fighter-trainer role.

Interior

Original Two-Seat Military Cockpit

1. Seating Capacity: Two
2. Interior Color: Light Gray
3. Condition Rating: 9/10
4. Original Instrument Panels
5. Original Flight Instruments
6. Full Dual Controls
7. Rear Cockpit Landing Gear and Flap Controls

The cockpit retains its historic military character, including original panels and instrumentation.

Exterior

Polished Italian Air Force Presentation

1. Exterior Finish: Polished Metal
2. Markings: Italian Air Force
3. Condition Rating: 10/10
4. Historic Aircraft Identity: Ciao Bella

The polished exterior and Italian Air Force markings reflect the aircraft's postwar military heritage.

Inspection / Maintenance

1. Airframe: 580 Hours Since Ground-Up Restoration
2. Restoration: Sanders Aeronautics, 1987
3. IRAN: Meier Motors, Approximately 2017
4. Time Since IRAN: 30 Hours
5. Engine: 10 Hours Since Major Overhaul
6. Engine Overhaul: Vintage V-12's
7. Propeller: 10 Hours Since Major Overhaul
8. Propeller Overhaul: San Antonio Propeller
9. Annual Inspection: Pending

Historic Cockpit with Modern Communications

1. Two Becker VHF Radios
2. Becker Transponder
3. PS1200 Intercom
4. Original Instrument Panels
5. Original Flight Instruments
6. VFR Flight Configuration

The cockpit preserves its historic instrument presentation while incorporating radio communications, transponder, and intercom equipment.

Flight Controls and Aircraft Systems

Full Dual-Control Configuration

1. Full Dual Flight Controls
2. Rear Cockpit Landing Gear Controls
3. Rear Cockpit Flap Controls
4. Cleveland Brakes
5. Pressure Carburetor
6. Electrical Emergency Hydraulic Pump
7. P-51D Fuel Pumps
8. Hydraulic Carburetor Heat Operation
9. Hydraulic Radiator Door Operation
10. Hydraulic Seat Adjustment

The dual-control configuration reflects the G.59-4B's original military fighter-trainer role.