G.91 R/3 (Germany)

This page is about the German jet fighter G.91 R/3 (Germany). For other versions, see G.91 (Family).

◄G.91 R/3

Ho 229 V3

Alpha Jet A

◄G.91 R/3

Ho 229 V3

Alpha Jet A

Germany

VI Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
9.0	8.7	9.0

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:135 000

Purchase:380 000

Description

The ◄G.91 R/3 (nicknamed "Gina") is a rank VI German jet fighter with a battle rating of 9.0 (AB/SB) and 8.7 (RB). It was introduced in Update 1.91 "Night Vision".

A mid 50's transonic fighter (< Mach 0.90) with ground attack abilities. Very manoeuvrable, great acceleration and heavy offensive armament make the G.91 an excellent rank VI aircraft. Unlocked after the Horten 229 the player should already be well acquainted with the appropriate play style for the G.91, being an all-around upgrade from the "Flying Wing" flying in fierce competition in the sky, it will face every sub- and transonic aircraft and while being a mid to top rank performance-wise.

There are few changes between the Pre-serie, R/1, R/3 and the R/4, and this guide can be considered universal for all listed aircraft.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Drogue parachute

Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway

Max speed

at 0 m1 084 km/h

Turn time26 s

Max altitude11 000 m

EngineBristol Orpheus MK.803

TypeJet

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight6 t

The G.91 was intended to replace the F-86A Sabre in German, Portuguese and Italian service and it shows. With an empty weight of only 3,100 kg (6,800 lbs) and a takeoff weight of 5,500 kg (12,100 lbs), the G.91 R/3 is in the same weight class as the P-51D and MiG-9, yet severely lighter than most other jets and losing about one and a half tonnes compared to the Sabre A.

Although only outputting a meagre 22 kN of thrust this first look disadvantage is literally outweighed by the high thrust to weight ratio of 0.73 empty (0.41 full). This makes the G.91 R/3 an excellent dogfighter as jet fighters maintain both their top speed, climb and sustained turn-rate by their engine power rather than other flight characteristics. It can easily reach its own terminal speed (1,011 km/h, 921 ft/s) and self-destruct in level flight.

Lacking in straight wings and leading wing slats the stall speed for the G.91 is quite higher than the low weight lets one assume. One should hence be wary of many older jet types with said features, as after bleeding too much speed they can easily outmanoeuvre the G.91 R/3. With added payload, this becomes even more obvious and cautious flying is advised when fitted as a ground attacker.

Starting with 20 min of fuel, gaining the climb speed of 800 km/h IAS (sustainable @ 7-8°; 730 ft/s) takes a mere ~80 seconds with 20 predicated for taking off at 230 km/h or 210 ft/s IAS. An Immelmann at 800 km/h will gain 1,000 m and loose 300 km/h. A hard 180° turn at the same speed takes >100 km/h and may lose up to 60 m.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	1,065	1,042	11000	27.6	28.1	31.5	30.0	850
Upgraded	1,097	1,084		24.6	26.0	47.6	39.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
✓	✓	✓	✓	X	✓

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1128	345	589	550	345	~11	~5

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 800	< 650	< 660	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Empty mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Bristol Orpheus MK.803		1	3,477 kg		289 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)				Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		9m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	32m fuel
380 kg	Axial-flow turbojet		3,837 kg	4,269 kg	4,662 kg	4,740 kg	5,800 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (101%)
Condition	100%	101%	9m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	32m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	2,212 kgf	2,234 kgf	0.58	0.52	0.48	0.47	0.39
Optimal	2,212 kgf (0 km/h)	2,234 kgf (0 km/h)	0.58	0.52	0.48	0.47	0.39

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural1 128 km/h

Gear345 km/h

At its rank, there is little which cannot hurt the G.91. This is mostly due to the large calibres and fast-firing weapons found in the jet age, although the G.91 R/3 does not help this issue. The armour is enough to withstand the occasional tank light machine gun fire but otherwise will only protect the pilot from shrapnel damage. Even though the centreline arrangement of all components proves to be quite survivable in combat, it does NOT lend itself for head-ons or prolonged chases. The former only leads to functional aircraft with a knocked-out pilot and the latter to the reverse, which was in all likelihood the intended design in real life. The aircraft cannot take damage very well; fuselage damage usually results in engine damage, while wing damage makes the plane unstable in turns and drains the acceleration.

• 6.5 mm Steel - Behind, below and in front of the pilot
• 6.5 mm Steel - under central fuel tanks.
• 40 mm bulletproof glass - Armoured windshield
• Critical components located down the midline of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
• Fuel tanks located in the central fuselage.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 206 → 4 356

RB9 404 → 12 780

SB9 962 → 13 538

Total cost of modifications120 000

192 000

Talisman cost2 300

Crew training110 000

Experts380 000

Aces2 000

Research Aces830 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

120 / 380 / 600 %

208 / 208 / 208 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 4 800 Cost: 7 600 250 Compressor Research: 4 800 Cost: 7 600 250 Airframe Research: 5 400 Cost: 8 600 280 New boosters Research: 5 400 Cost: 8 600 280 Wings repair Research: 7 500 Cost: 12 000 390 G-suit Research: 7 500 Cost: 12 000 390 Cover Research: 13 000 Cost: 21 000 670 Engine Research: 13 000 Cost: 21 000 670		aden_belt_pack Research: 4 800 Cost: 7 600 250 559G1 Research: 4 800 Cost: 7 600 250 FSBC mk.5 Research: 4 800 Cost: 7 600 250 M116A2 Research: 5 400 Cost: 8 600 280 FMBC mk.1 Research: 5 400 Cost: 8 600 280 LAU-51 Research: 5 400 Cost: 8 600 280 aden_new_gun Research: 7 500 Cost: 12 000 390 Nord AS.20 Research: 7 500 Cost: 12 000 390 Matra SNEB Research: 13 000 Cost: 21 000 670

Compressor > Boosters (don't equip them yet) > Engine > Both cannon upgrades > G suit + equipping boosters after researching. Why? Engine upgrades, because this jet lives by its T/W ratio. Cannons to make best use of its low RPG. New boosters are required to progress to T3 and help high-speed handling, however without G suit one is just a black-out earlier. Later frame upgrades for improved top speed, or survivability upgrades to prevent breaking in turns.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The G.91 R/3 (Germany) is armed with:

• 2 x 30 mm DEFA 552 cannons, nose-mounted (125 rpg = 250 total)

The DEFA 552 is an excellent Revolver cannon for jet to jet combat. With high velocity, devastating high-explosive rounds and fast firing rate it can easily hit even extreme deflection or long-range pursuit shots. The only downside is the low ammo count of 125 rounds per cannon and thus having to resort to very short burst fires.

Suspended armament

The G.91 R/3 (Germany) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 4 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (1,000 lb total)
• 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
• 4 x AS-20 Nord missiles
• 38 x SNEB type 23 rockets

Featuring a wide range of ordnance the G.91 R/3 can be equipped for any role from ground to air combat, though it prefers air superiority.

For air-to-ground purposes, the G.91 R/3 is similar to the G.91 pre-serie and G.91 R/1, both its predecessors, in loadout options sharing the same FFAR Mighty Mouse rocket option as well as the choice of a pair of 500 lb bombs. However, the R/3 has an additional and unique option; the AS-20 Nord air-to-ground missile, with a reasonable penetration value (83 mm RHAe) but incredible warhead size of (just under) 30 kilograms of TNT. Skilled use of the missile can allow for a more accurate fire at longer ranges especially versus more dangerous vehicles like self-propelled anti-aircraft guns.

Usage in battles

Achieving air superiority should be the primary task for all G.91 pilots. However, the G.91 R/3 excels in a support role, especially in uptiers, where most of enemies can simply run away from it. To do this, take 9 min of fuel to boost its acceleration and climb rate (the low ammo count will discourage prolonged air combat anyways), and after takeoff climb at around 8° (680-700 km/h). When the first enemies engage with allies, go over them and find target with low energy state and destroy it. Do not chase lonely planes, as although enemy might look like easy 1-v-1 victory, the low top speed makes it very hard to catch somebody. Try not to engage in a prolonged dogfight, because the G.91 R/3 has rather poor energy retention and when caught slow even good acceleration won't save the plane. Also, keep in mind that the G.91 R/3 has poor low speed performance because of swept wings and lack of leading edge slats. In prolonged turn fight, one may find themselves losing even against jets like the MiG-15. Another thing is do not air brake. The G.91 R/3's below average energy retention combined with overall good manoeuvrability makes it easy enough for pilot to evade enemy, and in combat, even the good acceleration is not enough to regain the lost speed.

Destroying bombers and attackers is also a feasible option thanks to the powerful cannon armament. However, the lack of durability and low ammo count make this rather a secondary task.

Ground attack should be done only in Ground RB, since G.91 is a typical fighter. Fortunately, it gets access to 4 x AS-20 guided missiles that are deadly.

Specific enemies worth noting:

MiG-15/17, J32B. These jets have higher T/W ratios, and better acceleration. When engaging them, try to lure them into a dogfight; however beware, as the MiGs can outturn you at low speeds. Avoid going vertical at all costs.

Hawker Hunter, Supermarine Swift, Vautour. These aircraft have great energy retention and top speed. Generally avoiding attacks shouldn't be very hard, but downing one will be a challenge. Leave them to your faster team mates and watch out for their rockets.

Other G.91s. When there is G.91 on your tail, there is not much you can do. Try to force an overshoot, but do not airbrake as good pilot will go vertical and destroy you.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Exceptional manoeuvrability, with very high roll and turn rates
• Effective suspended armament choices for ground strike
• Access to the AS-20 air-to-ground missile that can destroy any tank
• Two 30 mm DEFA cannons available
• Can carry 4 x AS-20 Nord missiles unlike most other jet fighters which only can carry two
• Small burst of 30 mm cannons is enough to fully destroy a plane especially in the head-on situations
• Has access to drag chute, that combined with high P/W ratio allows pilots to use short airfields
• The 30 mm cannons have very good penetration can destroy light tanks through the hull and other main battle tanks through the roof

Cons:

• Slower than most of its contemporaries
• Airframe can take some hits, especially against .50 cals
• Poor energy retention
• Fairly low ammo count for the guns means that you need to be conservative with your ammo
• Wings can snap off when trying to pull very hard at high speeds and when pushing elevator + ailerons at the same time, especially with 20min of fuel

History

The G.91 Small Sabre entered service with the Luftwaffe in 1962 after winning the 1953 NATO light tactical support aircraft competition. This competition had called for a fighter which could carry 452 kg of ordnance, patrol a combat radius of 180 km assuming 10 mins over the target, average cruising speed of at least 705 km/h and Mach 0.95 capability. It also had to be fully operational on grass or other types of unprepared runways, with a take-off distance of 1,100 m. The R/3 was the Luftwaffe's version of the G.91, but with more powerful armament, two wing points for suspended ordnance and better avionics than the Italian Air Force's R/1s. Fifty R/3s were built in Italy starting in 1959 and another 294 were license-built in West Germany. The Luftwaffe also received another 50 of the very similar R/4 aircraft after orders for Greece and Turkey fell through. The Luftwaffe also had 66 T-3 two-seat trainer models built of which twenty-two were built in Germany.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the G.91 R/3 (Germany) from live.warthunder.com.

Images

Videos

The bane of tanks discusses the G.91 R/3 (Germany) at 4:58 - War Thunder Official Channel

G.91 R/3 War Thunder 1.91 Review - DEFYN

Fiat G91R/3 - A Better Version of the Same Bird - WhooptieDo

See also

• F-86A-5 Sabre - combat role predecessor
• La-15 and Yak-30 - similar flight style
• G.91 (Family)

External links

• WT Forum: Fiat G.91 discussion thread
• [Wikipedia] Fiat G.91

Fiat Aviation (Fiat Aviazione)
Fighters	CR.32 · CR.32 bis · CR.32 quater
	CR.42 · Marcolin's C.R.42 CN · ▀Marcolin's C.R.42 CN
	G.50 serie 2 · G.50 AS serie 7
	G.55 sottoserie 0 · G.55 serie 1 · G.55S
	G.56
Jet fighters	G.91 pre-serie · G.91 R/1 · G.91 Y · G.91 YS
	▄F-86K*
	▄F-104G* · F-104S* · F-104S.ASA* · ▄F-104S TAF*
Strike aircraft	F.C.20 Bis
Bombers	B.R.20DR · B.R.20M M1
Export/Captured	J11 · ▀CR.42
	▀G.50 serie 2 · ▀G.50 AS serie 7
	◄G.91 R/3 · ◄G.91 R/4 · G.91 R/4
	*Licensed
See also	North American Aviation · Lockheed Martin