The pilot of a Macchi MC.200 fighter aircraft of the a Regia Aeronautica’s 21st Gruppo Caccia (21st Fighter Group) likely on Eastern Front, Summer 1942. The MC.200’s cockpit indicate an aircraft of the last series. Victor Sierra

Italian fighter pilot

Despite the total failure of the plane and the phasing out of all aircraft in service, during 1941 Breda and IMAM produced again the Breda 88, 19 by the first, 48 by the second, all delivered to Regia Aeronautica. None entered in service. The majority of this Breda 88, after the factory test, was transferred from the factory directly to scrapping for salvage of the strategic materials. The Breda 88 of this picture, the white band on the fuselage date the photo 1941, is very probably one of this aircraft. Few aircraft was modified on 1942 at Cascina Costa by Agusta with wing span lengthen of 2 meters and wing surface increased for reduce the wing loading, dive brakes, engine Fiat A74, only four MGs on the nose, but the performances remained poor. On 7 September 1943, eve of the Armistice of the Italy, three Breda 88 Modified are on Lonate Pozzolo airfield, Lombardy, with the 103rd Gruppo Tuffatori (103rd Dive Bombers Group). This planes was seized by the Luftwaffe with German markings, tested by German pilots, but immediately phased out. Victor Sierra

Amazing!

The light accident experienced by the first prototype, MM.494, of the Reggiane Re.2005 “Sagittario” (Sagittarius), last of Italian Regia Aeronautica’s Series 5 fighters, the day of his first flight, 1st May 1942, at Reggio Emilia airfield. Capt. Tullio Da Prato, Reggiane’s chief test pilot, was forced at an emergency belly land because only half of the undercarriage was extended on approach to airfield. The aircraft not suffered heavy damages and was repaired within the space of a week and returned to flight after few days. Note, in background, a car with on the roof the gas bottle, methane during the war time extensively employed in place of the precious petrol. Victor Sierra