An official photo of Thirties of Benito Mussolini, now the “Duce”, on aviator dress onboard a Savoia-Marchetti seaplane (likely a S.55). The Fascist propaganda took over the “Aviator cult” indissolubly tied to the myth of “Duce’s virility”. But only on 1937 Mussolini was awarded of military pilot license and in reality his flight activity was conducted with an experienced pilot at his side. Victor Sierra

Mussolini the Aviator

Benito Mussolini onboard of a former WW1 aircraft Aviatik A-3 transformed in trainer of SAIAM (Società Anonima Imprese Aeree Milano) at Milan, early Twenties. The future Duce began to take an interest for the aviation just after the WW1 and according whit some sources his first flight was on board of one SVA two seat around 1919. At this time the aviation was, and not only in Italy, a sign of future and boldness. Mussolini, the “destiny’s man”, representative, according to what he says, of the “New Italy” came from the victory of WW1, understood immediately the importance as well for propaganda purpose of the figure of the “aviator”. From July 1920 to May 1921, so before the “Marcia su Roma” (March to Rome, 28 October 1922), Mussolini took flight’s lesson,at Arcore, near Milan, with the pilot Cesare Redaelli which judged the future Duce a very good student. The subsequent Fascist propaganda enhanced the Duce’s aviators performances like the flight from Milan to Verona, Boscomantico airfield, on 13 May 1921 with Mussolini on plane’s controls. In reality, the flight was conducted under Redaelli’s supervision with took the controls during the landing’ maneuver. And few time before this flight, on 2 March 1921 Mussolini experienced an accident with few flesh wounds healable in two weeks. Victor Sierra

First flight lessons of Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini reviews a mass rally opposite a relic of past glories.  You can just see the image of the Facses marked out, presumably, in white posters held up by members of the crowd.  Best regards, JR.