Other Forces

Italian seaplane interned in Spain

One of Italian seaplanes IMAM Ro.43s interned in Spain on 9 September 1943 photographed after they entry in service with Spanish Air Force. The day after the Italian armistice’s announcement (8 September 1943) the crews of some Ro.43s on board of Italian Navy’s ships refused the surrender and the delivery of the same ships to Allies and took off in the direction of the Balearic Islands. Four Ro.43s landed on Mallorca Bay, one at Pollensa and another on Alcudia. After one internment’s year, the floatplanes was purchased by Spanish Government to Italian Government and assigned to 2nd Escadrilla of 51st Floatplane Regiment of Spanish Air Force with the name of HR-7. The Ro.43s served in the Spanish Air Force until 1951. Victor Sierra