Bruno and Vittorio Mussolini, sons of The Man Himself, in boy Blackshirt gear.  Well, at least Shirts of this colour wouldn't have shown the dirt ... Best regards, JR.

Young Blackshirts.

An Italian bomber S.79 flying at very low altitude over the Mediterranean, perhaps in front to Southern Italy’s coasts. The plane is an aircraft of 58th Squadriglia, 32nd Gruppo, 10th Stormo BT (Bombardamento Terrestre/Land Bombardment), on 1942 based in Sicily. Victor Sierra

Very low altitude

Four well camouflaged Fiat BR.20 Italian bombers in flight during the Spanish Civil War get confusing with the terrain. Victor Sierra

Where the planes are?

The Duce Benito Mussolini going over the Regia Aeronautica’s 4th Stormo just re-equipped with the brand new Macchi MC.202 Folgores. The 4th Stormo received his first Folgore on July 1941 on his base at Gorizia Airport, North-East Italy, and on November of the same year returned in Libya with the new fighter. This white nose fighters have the unit’s insignia, but not again the Squadriglia’s and the aircraft individual number. The aircraft are again still the “Metropolitan” camouflage and without the anti-sand filter. In this photo back to Duce is the general Francesco Pricolo, Regia Aeronautica’s chief of staff, and, with the flight jacket and flight helmet, the 4th Stormo’s commander. Note also on the left a high rank Luftwaffe’s officer. Victor Sierra

The Duce and the first Folgores

Italian P.43 tank

Drawings of the projected Italian tank P.43, this would have been a very competitive tank in face of the  Allied or German production. A 90mm cannon could have been used.

An Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana’s mechanic in front to the cockpit of an ANR’s Fiat G.55 Centauro. This photo is especially interesting for the enthusiast of aircraft’s camouflage and markings because highlight the fuselage’s insignia of the ANR’s fighters: the Italian tricolor (from the left to right: red, white, green) with yellow barbed edges. The all dark green finish show the wearing effect of the prolonged use in operational duties on rough airfield, an aspect highly regarded by the expert modellers in reproducing an authentic combat plane and not a “fresh factory” aircraft. Victor Sierra

ANR’s fuselage insignia

The G.55 Centauro number 5 (Yellow Five) of ANR-Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana’s Squadriglia “Montefusco-Bonet” on a Northern Italy’s airfield, 1944. The G.55 (an aircraft rebuilt from a G.59’s airframe) of Vigna di Valle’s Italian Air Force Museum has the same livery and the same number Yellow Five of the plane of this picture (G.55 Series 1 with wing mounted 20 mm cannon). Originally Squadriglia Complementare d’Allarme (Alert Complementary Unit), with base at Venaria Reale, Turin, the “Montefusco” was the first unit of ANR, the air force of Italian Social Republic (RSI), equipped with the Centauro and started its operations in January 1944. On 29 March 1944 the unit claimed an USAAF’s B-17, but the same day her leader, Capt. Giovanni Bonet, was killed in action. After that day the unit’s name was changed in Squadriglia “Montefusco-Bonet" with the Bonet’s signature on the aircraft’s engine cowling. The presence of the Bonet’s signature on the cowling of Yellow Five, note a serviceman resting under the wing, date therefore this picture later 29 March 1944. In May 1944 the Squadriglia “Montefusco-Bonet" was redeployed at Reggio Emilia and afterwards was integrated in the ANR’s 1st Gruppo Caccia (1st Fighter Group). Victor Sierra

Yellow Five

The Fiat CR.32s fighter aircraft of just born 6th Stormo: on the fuselage the “Red Devil”, the insignia of the Stormo established on 5 January 1936 at Campoformido Airfield, near Udine, North-East Italy. The planes has the colors used in those years, all silver finish and tricolor with Savoia’s coat of arms on the rudder. At this time the CR.32 were the most modern Italian fighter and, in substance, the standard fighter plane of Italian Air Force. When the 6th Stormo (still existing with Tornado-IDS at Ghedi Air Base) was established the Italy is busy in the Abyssinian war. After few months the Italy will to go in Spanish Civil War. The peace is a peace well relative. Victor Sierra

A relative peacetime

Rome: 1935: a modern, for this time, Italian Regia Aeronautica’s Savoia Marchetti S.81 bomber overflying the Coliseum. For the Italy is a period of peace, but it’s a peace of brief time: the war against the Ethiopia begin on Autumn 1935 and afterwards is the Spanish Civil War. The S.81 of this photo is an aircraft of 11th Squadriglia of one of two Gruppi, 26th Gruppo, the other is the 29th Gruppo, of Regia Aeronautica’s 11th Stormo equipped with the new Savoia-Marchetti bomber, version powered by Piaggio P.IX radial engines, on 1935 and based at Rome, Ciampino Airport. Victor Sierra



Peace’s time

The Savoia Marchetti S.81 Benito Mussolini’s personal aircraft taxiing on Ferrara Airport on the occasion of a Duce’s visit to this Emilian town at this time base of a Regia Aeronautica’s bomber unit, the 11th Stormo Bombardamento Terrestre. The white summer full dress of the officer, with blue band and sabre, on the right of the honor guards, suggest a photo taken on Summer time, year 1937 or 1938. During his flights Mussolini, which just after WW1 demonstrated a strong interest for the aeronautic (his first flight date to 1919, on a SVA two seat), were at the control together a “true” military pilot of the Italian Air Force. Nicknamed “Tartaruga” (tortoise), this S.81 was always the Duce’s personal aircraft. Originally all white, as in this photo taken by a pilot officer of 11th Stormo (gifted many years ago from this officer to your friendly Victor Sierra and by same VS gifted to Historical Office of Italian Air Force), the “Tartaruga” was camouflaged during the war. On Autumn 1943, after the fall of the Fascism, the Armistice and the occupation of Italy by the German troops, the “Tartaruga”, like many other Italian planes, was commandeered by Luftwaffe and switched in Germany. With the born of Italian Fascist Republic, October 1943, in the part of Italy controlled by Germans, the Repubblica Sociale Italiana, or RSI (nicknamed Repubblica di Salò/Salò’s Republic), the “Tartaruga” was salvaged by a crew of RSI’s air force and returned in Italy. The final fate of “Tartaruga” is unknown. A personal annotation: one of the crew members which salvaged the “Tartaruga” was a former pilot of Regia Aeronautics’ S.79 torpedo aircraft moved to RSI’ air force: the warrant officer Fulvio Zasa, passed away 20 years ago. I knew Zasa very well: was the pilot of the my first flight and was the instructor of my father, future professional pilot. Victor Sierra

The Duce’s coming

One of nine Fiat CR.42s fighter aircraft of Italian Regia Aeronautica’s 413rd Squadriglia based at Assab, Eritrea, during the operations for the short-lived Somaliland’s conquest, August 1940. Victor Sierra

On a far sky

A service man of ANR, Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, at work upon the left wing of a Fiat G.55 Centauro (Centaur) fighter plane. Clearly visible on this picture one of two wing mounted 20 mm Mauser cannon, one of the two nose mounted 12,7 mm machine guns and the wing insignia of the Repubblica Sociale Italiana’s air force, Northern Italy, 1944. Victor Sierra

At work upon the Centauro

The only G.55S (S for Silurante/Torpedo Aircraft), an airframe of Fiat G.55 Centauro converted in torpedo aircraft on 1945 upon requirement of the Repubblica Sociale Italiana’s Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, or ANR. The modification’s project was developed by Sergio Stefanutti, engineer of ANR’s Technical Direction and designer of the SAI Ambrosini’s aircraft, despite the fierce opposition of the Fiat and of his designer Giuseppe Gabrielli. The aircraft employed was a normal G.55 Series 1, airframe number NC37, military code MM91086 modified at Venegono, near Varese, by the local SRAM (Squadra Riparazione Aeromobili e Motori/Repair aircraft and engines team) replacing the original central radiator under the fuselage with two under wings radiators and arranging in its stead the attacks for a 987 kg Whitehead torpedo electrically controlled. Other changes was a new and more high tail wing and the removal of the two nose machine guns. The G.55S was tested at Venegono and afterwards, with a torpedo’s concrete mock up, at Lonate Pozzolo by the captain Adriano Mantelli, a Spanish Civil War’s Italian ace and test pilot, on March 1945, eluding the German’s rigid control. The tests was a success and ten aircraft was commissioned to Fiat despite the Gabrielli’s aversion. The end of the war stop the project, but the G.55S survived and on April 1946 was switched to Lonate Pozzolo to Fiat-Aeritalia on Turin for the reconversion to series standard. On August 1948 the former G.55S was converted in G.55A (the Centauro’s post war model) for the Lecce’s Flight School. On 1949, after his return to Fiat, was employed for weapons tests and finally converted in G.59-1A (the G.55’s airframe with Rolls-Royce Merlin engine) with the new code MM.53037. Victor Sierra

Centauro torpedo aircraft

Another rare shot of the SLC in training. DVX

SLC in action

Detail of a Fiat G.55 Centauro’s front section of ANR-Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana (National Republican Air Force), the air force of the Repubblica Sociale Italiana, or RSI, the Fascist Italian Republic established by Benito Mussolin on October 1943. The aircraft is a G.55 Serie I (Series 1), with two 20 mm Mauser cannons wing mounted replacing two of four machine guns nose mounted, of II Gruppo Caccia’s (Second Fighter Group) 5th Squadriglia "Diavoli Rossi” (Red Devils). Photo taken on 1944 but prior July of this year, when the II Gruppo was equipped with Bf 109G. During this span of time the II Gruppo’s Squadriglie was based at Bresso (Milan), Villa Masone (Reggio Emilia) and Cascina Vaga (Pavia), all on Northern Italy. The “Red Devil” is today the insignia of Aeronautica Militare’s (Italian Air Force) 6th Stormo based at Ghedi (Brescia) and equipped with Tornado-Interdictor Strike. Victor Sierra

“Red Devils”

A serviceman guard duty with the pistol service on the case, likely the classic Beretta, of an Italian fighter Fiat G.55 Centauro (Centaur). The white band on fuselage suggest one of Regia Aeronautica’s aircraft, in this case a G.55 Sottoserie 0 (Sub-Series Zero) without wing cannons but with the weapons on the nose. Note also the absence of the Fascist symbol (Fascio Littorio) under the cockpit, sign of a photo taken after 25 July 1943 (Mussolini’s fall) and prior of 8 September 1943 (Armistice of Italy). Another detail: the plane hasn’t the individual aircraft number and the Squadriglia’s number., perhaps is an aircraft just delivered waiting for the unit’s code. But may be one of few Centauro not delivered to Regia Aeronautica and afterwards embedded in Repubblica Sociale Italiana’s air force. A photo of a G.55 commandeered by the Germans show an aircraft still the white band. In effect it’s impossible in this photo to watch the exactly the lapel badge of the Sahariana’s serviceman: “stellette” (five points little stars) for Kingdom of Italy’s Armed Forces or Gladio (Roman sword) for the RSI’s Armed Forces. Victor Sierra

Centauro’s guarding duty 

With her Duce to the end - although she had alternatives.  Best regards, JR.

Clara Petacci.

Refueling and servicing of an Italian fighter Macchi MC.202 Folgore (Lightning) fighter at Abu Haggag, Egypt, Summer 1942. The number 75 on the fuselage indicate an aircraft of the 75th Squadriglia, unit of 23rd Gruppo of the 3rd Wing. The pilot of this plane, note his Salvator parachute on the left stabilizer, was the Capt. Mario Pinna was credited with five individual victories plus four shared. Victor Sierra

Folgore at Abu Haggag

Pre-flight check by an Italian fighter pilot, aided by his aircraftman, seated on the his Macchi MC.202 Folgore’s cockpit. In evidence, on front to pilot, the armored glass windscreen and, over the instrument panel the San Giorgio gun sight. In back of the pilot the armor plate, part of the pilot’s protection. Victor Sierra

Folgore’s pilot

The red baby elephant, the insignia of 10th Gruppo’s 90th Squadriglia, of the Italian Regia Aeronautica, on the engine cowling of a Macchi MC.202 “Folgore” of this unit, Libya 1942. The red is also the color of the propeller’s tip. Note the large anti-sand filter and the typical “African” camouflage. Victor Sierra

With a red baby elephant on the nose

Tirana Airport, Albania, December 1940: the large Ala Littoria’s hangar with some Breda 44s (an Italian version of the British de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide) of the airline transferred, after the Italy’s entry in the war, to 611st Squadriglia Trasporto of the Comando Aeronautica Albania (Air Command Albania) for liaison and light transport within the Albania and from the Albania to South Eastern Italy. The planes are still the civil registration, but has the military registration, colors and markings. The fate of the I-ORSA, military registration MM 60426, the plane on the foreground, was tragic: on 9 March 1941 in flight to Tirana to Valona (Vlorë), with a load of 50 small oxygen cylinders, crashed after only 15 minutes from the take-off and burned on impact with the terrain. All the three people on board, pilot, air mechanic and a Carabinieri’s office was killed. Note in the photo, left, a Luftwaffe’s transport aircraft Junkers Ju 52. Victor Sierra



Tirana Airport

One of Avio Linee Italiane’s Fiat G.18 on Tirana Airfield, October 1940, committed in troops transport at beginning of the Italy’s war against the Greece. The plane, a classic airliner “DC-2 style”, has still the pre-war colors of Italian land airliners: all surface silver, large black I (I for Italy) on the fin and the tricolor strip on the fuselage adopted when, after September 1939, the Italy declared the status of non-belligerant Nation. After the entry of Italy in the war (10 June 1940) all the Italian airliners was embedded on the Nuclei Comunicazioni (Communications Unit), one for each airline. In the case of Avio Linee Italiane S.A. (Fiat Group) this was the Nucleo Comunicazione Avio Linee and the plane received a military code (MM for Matricola Militare). The plane of this photo is one of three G.18s produced by Fiat (I-ELIO, first flight 11 March 1937, I-ETNA and I-ETRA) afterwards followed by six G.18V (V for Veloce/Fast, civil registration I-ELCE, I-ELFO, I-EION, I-ENEA, I-EURE and I-ERME) with most powerful engine (1,030-HP Fiat A.80 RC.41 radial engines with compressor) and new tail with braced horizontal plan. The I-ELIO in flight from Tirana to Milan (military flight) crashed landing at Linate Airport, on 26 November 1940 while the I-ETRA was destroyed for ground collision on December 1940. After the Italy’s Armistice (8 September 1943) the G.18V I-ELFO, I-ERME and I-ENEA was commandeered by Germans and assigned to Deutsche Luft Hansa, with German civil registration, for the Milan-Munich-Berlin line, the I-ETRA was assigned to Avio Linee Italiane, under the control of air force of the Fascist Repubblica Sociale Italiana. At least G.18 was employed by the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force on Southern Italy. All this planes disappeared during the war years or immediately after. Victor Sierra

The Italian airliners going to war

The only prototype of the Savoia-Marchetti S.84 twin engine airliner on Munich Airport before the outbreak of the war. The S.84, designed by Alessandro Marchetti, was one of the two planes (the other was the Fiat G.18) which Italy proposed for respond to Douglas DC-2. But, on the contrary of the modern all metal DC-2 and G.18, the S.84, two French-made Gnome & Rhone K14 Mistral, retractable landing gear, cabin for 18 passengers, had still a mixed structure with wooden wing. After the flight tests, on October 1936, the S.84, construction number 30001, date of certificate of airworthiness 22 June 1936, owner SIAI Cameri Airport, civil registration I-SIAI, was employed for a presentation tour on Northern Europe, but without success. Returned in Italy and dismissed (in maintime the Avio Linee Italiane purchased a DC-2 and some G.18s) the S.84 was transferred on December 1942 to Military Administration and took up by the Italian Air Force with the military registration MM446. Afterward lose the track of this plane and the number 84 was assigned to the three-engine bomber SM.84 designed as successor of S.79. Victor Sierra

An airliner’s prototype

A pair of Italian Regia Aeronautica’s Fiat G.50bis “Freccia” (Arrow) fighters on servicing (note an air compressor on the right), on the chock and with split flaps down, on a Libyan airfield, perhaps Tripoli Castel Benito airfield. The planes are two different camouflage’s types and also the engine cowling’s camouflage of the aircraft Number 15, that in foreground (note the number over the chock and over the leading edge), is different from those of entire plane. Both are the propeller spinner painted in red and only the half of the engine cowling painted in yellow on the contrary of other G.50s in North Africa with had the entire engine cowling in yellow. Over the engine cowling is clearly visible the sand filter. Victor Sierra

Italian Forces

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