Taken jus before leaving for the front- c. 1915

My grandfather Salvatore Cossu

Firing test of the first prototype (MM.494) of the Reggiane Re.2005 “Sagittario” (Sagittarius) on Furbara’s Firing Test Range (few km North of Rome, in front to Tyrrhenian’s coast), end March 1943. Last of the Italian fighters Series 5, the other are Macchi MC.205 “Veltro” and Fiat G.55 “Centauro”, all designed around the German engine Daimler-Benz DB.605, the “Sagittario” were armed with three Mauser 20mm cannons (two wing-mounted, one inside the engine firing through the propeller’s hub) and two Breda-SAFAT 12.7mm upon the engine cowling synchronized with propeller’s blades. Victor Sierra

Firing test

This all-black SM.82 “Marsupiale” (Marsupial) is likely one of this type transport planes employed by the Italian Regia Aeronautica for long range night missions as those against Gibraltar and Alexandria. All white insignias and markings are cancelled with black matt paint. Also the under wing nationality’s emblem (three Fasci Littori) is black over a dark grey background. Clearly visible on top of the fuselage the Caproni-Lanciani turret, traverse 360 degrees, with a 12.7mm (.50 in) Scotti machine gun, while the under-nose bombardier’s turret is retract. Victor Sierra

