A photo of an almost unknown version of famous Lockheed Lightning: the two seat built at Naples by IMAM (later Aerfer, progenitor of Naples Area of today Alenia Aermacchi/Finmeccanica Group) for training duties. When in 1946 a hundred of Lightning, parked in open storage at Napoli-Capodichino airfield, most P-38L and some of the recce version F-5, was switched from USAAF to Italian Air Force (AM/Aeronautica Militare), IMAM (overhauled a total of 93 planes (including 20 F-5.). At least one of this Lightning was converted by IMAM in two seat for training duties stretching the nose for a second cockpit: the aircraft of this photo. The AM’s Lightning were employed from 1946 until 1952. Victor Sierra

An uncommon Lightning

The Fiat G.59 in flight. This superb plane, one of last fighters with piston engine built in the world, was created by Giuseppe Gabrielli, the Fiat “G” plane’s designer, coupling the G.55 with a British Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-20 1635 HP engine. As first prototype was employed the airframe of the G.56, last development of G.55 Centauro never entered in service, which flew on 1948. The G.59, employed by Italian Air Force as advanced trainer in the Flying School of Elmas in Sardinia and Lecce in Apulia, was built in abound 100 exemplars in version single seat (G.59A) and two seat (G.59B) and in four series (1, 2, 3 and 4). The aircraft of fourth series (G.59-4A and G.59-4B) had the cockpit revised with a bubble canopy. The G.59 was employed by the Schools until 1965, but some planes, in “jet era” considered a “romantic plane” for “romantic pilots” (and also well experienced, piloting a plane of WW2 isn’t easy for jet pilots) pilots, was still in service for practice of “old pilots” (many NCO) and for air show until the half Seventies. Victor Sierra