An Italian maritime recce flying boat CRDA Cant-Z-501 moored in an unspecified North African harbor. The Cant-Z.501s was employed by Squadriglie da Ricognizione Marittima (Maritime Reconnaissance Squadrons) embedded in Aviazione per la Regia Marina (Aeronautics for Royal Navy) with mixed crews of Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force) and Regia Marina (Italian Royal Navy). Date of the photo (Deutsches Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-424-0282-08) unspecified. Victor Sierra

Italian flying-boat in a North African harbor

An Italian maritime recce and bombardment seaplane CRDA Cant-Z-506 hauled at Mondello, today a beach “à la mode” of Palermo. This photo was taken perhaps after the entry of Allies in the capital of Sicily, Summer 1943. Indeed the plane, apparently abandoned, has the under wing Fascist emblem deleted, like happened for Regia Aeronautica’s aircraft after 25 July 1943 (Mussolini’s downfall), while the soldier in foreground seem clearly an Allied. Victor Sierra

On the Palermo’s beach

A backlighted formation of Italian bombers Savoia Marchettis S.79s in flight over the Mediterranean Sea. Airplanes’unit unknown . Victor Sierra