
A combat air patrol of 85th Squadriglia’s Fiat CR.42 fighters over Genoa’s harbor few days after the entry of Italy in the war (June 1940). In the absence of an airport (the current Genoa’s Airport, Aeroporto “Cristoforo Colombo” di Genova-Sestri, was open in 1962), the fighters were based on a little airstrip in the harbor’s area. In Autumn of same year, October 1940, the 85th Squadriglia was part of unlucky Italian participation to Battle of England. Victor Sierrra


On patrol over Genoa

Line up on Castelvetrano Airfield, near Trapani, Sicily, of Italian Air Force’s fighters Fiat CR.42 on the first weeks of the war (Summer 1940). The airplanes belong to 367th Squadriglia. Victor Sierra

First weeks of war

In first year of the war, from June 1940 to most part of 1941, the Fiat CR.42 “Falco” was the Italian Air Force’s principal fighter aircraft despite his outdated pattern, biplane, fixed landing gear, radial engine with low power, open flight deck. In the photo, perhaps taken on 1941, a CR.42 of 83rd Squadriglia of 18th Gruppo Caccia (18th Fighter Group). On fuselage the emblem of unit, three withe arrows over a Fascio Littorio dark blue and the motto in Veneto’s dialect “Ocio che te copo!” (“Beware... I'll kill you!). Victor Sierra