A photo which depict the steady stream of loss inflicted to Italian merchant ships convoys from the Italy to North Africa and vice versa aside the British bombers and torpedo bombers many of the based at Malta: a bomb explodes by the side of an Italian motor vessel, under attack from Bristol Blenheim Mark IVs in the Mediterranean. Victor Sierra

Italian motor vessel under attack

Detail of a Fiat CR.42CN (CN-Caccia Notturna/Night Fighter) of the Regia Aeronautica’s 377th Squadriglia at Palermo, Boccadifalco airfield, likely 1942. Notice, under the nose, a detail of one of two prolonged engine exhausts. The white band of the fuselage, with the individual red aircraft’s number, strangely contrast with the all matt black finish of the aircraft, typical of the Italian night fighters. Clearly visible the Squadriglia’s emblem, an owl armed of rifle roosted on a half-moon. Victor Sierra

Owl and half-moon

One of the most winners seaplanes of all times exhibited at the International Aviation Saloon of Milan in 1935. The previous year this seaplane, with Mario Agello at the cockpit, won the world speed record: over 711 km/h registered at Desenzano del Garda. The same year it touched the speed of 730 km/h over Ancona, an astonishing speed for 1934. Unfortunatly this last record could not be approved for a variety of trivial circumstances. Still nowdays the MC 72 holds the speed record for piston engine seaplanes. It can be seen at the Aeronautica Militare Musem in Vigna di Valle, not far from Rome. DVX

