Wrecks of German Messerschmitt Bf.109s surrounding a derelict Italian three-engine plane Caproni Ca.133 (“Caprona” in the Italian aviators slang) employed in the air ambulance role (MEDEVAC/Medical Evacuation in the modern military term) on a North African airfield captured by the Allies, late 1942/beginning 1943. The Bf 109 on the right, a Bf.109E (note the braced horizontal plan), with the number 9 on the fuselage, is very probable an airplane of the Luftwaffe’s III/ZG1, code S9+. Very likely this picture is a photo of El Daba airfield, the same of the prior picture ( A “parent aircraft” of the S9+DR), taken by another slant. Victor Sierra

El Daba again?

Sharp and climbing turn of an Italian fighter Fiat G.50 “Freccia” (Arrow) perhaps after a low pass. Note the tall pilot considerably coming out from the narrow open cockpit of this aircraft. The latter has a North African livery with yellow engine cowling. Photo taken after the end of 1940 (white band on the fuselage). Victor Sierra

Climbing turn

This little (wing span 7.40 m, length 7.33 m) and nearly unknown single-seat biplane is the Ca.603 proposed by Caproni to Italian Regia Aeronautica as aerobatic trainer. Designed by Raffaele Conflenti and built by Caproni Aeronautica Predappio, a Caproni Group’s factory based at Predappio, hometown of Benito Mussolini (strangely enough!), the Ca.603, engine one 215 HP Alfa Romeo 115-1, flew on 1940 and was tested between November and December 1940 with good results. The Regia Aeronautica required some modifications but, also for the engagements of the war, the project was abandoned. The only prototype was transferred at Centocelle airfield, Rome, on May 1942 and disappeared during the dramatic events of 1943. Victor Sierra