Three Italian fighter pilots just dressed for the mission inspecting a document perhaps an aeronautical chart taking on board. Note on the right the very young pilot likely newly appointed to unit wearing a complete life-jacket. Behind the leather helmet, complete of earpieces, the wire for the onboard radio. The aircraft is a Macchi fighter, likely a MC.200. Victor Sierra

A very young pilot

After the return to base, an Italian fighter pilot of 154th Gruppo Autonomo Caccia Terrestre (Land Fighter Autonomous Group) telling his last fight. The man on the left, in working dress, is a Sottufficiale Specialista (NCO groundcrew), perhaps the same “Specialista” in charge of the pilot’s plane. The other is perhaps another pilot on summertime “relax dress”. Note the Gruppo’s emblem over the pilot’s Marus flight jacket. The aircraft is a Macchi MC.202 “Folgore”. Photo likely taken on 1942 or 1943 at Rhodes, on Aegean Front. Victor Sierra

A pilot telling

An Italian pilot explain a maneuver at his comrades. Note the leather helmets of two different colors: white and natural leather. This helmet’s types were wear by Italian pilots likewise from the operational theatre. For all the classic Marus flight jacket. Photo’s location unknown, but likely the Italian mainland in autumn or winter time. Victor Sierra