Italian mechanics, the famous “Specialisti” backbone of maintenance on flight’s conditions of Italian military aircrafts, checking a fighter airplane Macchi MC.202 “Folgore” of 347th Squadriglia, 153rd Gruppo Autonomo Caccia (Autonomous Fighter Group) “Asso di Bastoni”, on a Sicilian airport, 1942. In background a German transport aircraft Junkers Ju-52. The Italian pilots trusting blindly to they “Specialisti” to the point of reduce the least the pre-flight check. Victor Sierra

“Specialisti” 

The commander of 51st Stormo Caccia (Fighter Wing) of Italian Regia Aeronautica Co-Belligerent, Colonel Duilio Fanali, and his doggie Principessa (Princess). And with the name Principessa, the same Col. Fanali has baptized his fighter aircraft, a Macchi MC.202 “Folgore”. Born in 	1911, pilot of attack planes Breda 65 during the Spanish Civil War, during WW2 Fanali was a valiant pilot fighter. After the war, with the rank of General, was Deputy Commander of Allied Air Forces South Europe (NATO Afsouth) from 1961 to 1963 and commander of NATO Defence College from 1965 to 1966. From 28 February 1968 to 1st November 1971, the Lieutenant General Fanali was Chief of Staff Italian Air Force. The Gen. Fanali passed away on 27 August 1987. Victor Sierra

Principessa

Assisted by her colleagues, a “Specialista” checking the cockpit of an Italian plane fighter Macchi MC.202 on a Southern Italy Airport. Note the left dorsal seat belt outside the cockpit utilized for help to board on the aircraft. Victor Sierra