The personnel of Italian Air Force Museum’s Section Restoration and Maintenance standing in front of Ro.43 ORB-23 on 17 November 2011, day of seaplane’s return at exposition line of Vigna di Valle. In background the Museum’s CR.32. Victor Sierra

The Ro.43 again at Museum

On November 17, 2011, the only floatplane IMAM Ro.43 still existing is returned at Italian Air Force Museum of Pratica di Mare, Bracciano Lake, near Rome, after the restoration performed, on two years of work, by the Section Restoration and Maintenance of Museum itself. This Ro.43, military code MM2705, was part of a batch of 23 aircrafts built by IMAM-Industrie Meccaniche Aeronautiche Meridionali SpA at Naples in the first half of year 1937. During its career with the Regia Aeronautica was employed like maritime recce plan by the Italian Navy on board of some cruisers and took part at Battle of Punta Stilo on 9 July 1940. Afterwards was assigned to Scuola Osservatori Marittimi (Maritime Observer School) of Orbetello and took the code ORB-23 (Orbetello Number 23). Missing after the phasing out, ORB-23 was discovered and recovered, still with code ORB-23, at Rome-Centocelle on 1972. In the photo the Ro.43 ORB-23 after the restoration on the slipway of the air harbor of Vigna di Valle, site of Italian Air Force Museum. Victor Sierra

The return of Ro.43

Kaysersberg/Kientzheim monument indicating U.S. units that fought in this area in WWII. Some Regular Army Divisions as well as Reserve and National guard. texag57