Old photos Vigna di Valle

[DaveM2]

Some great pics here of the IAFM, showing some exhibits in the original state..pity they painted over the original Macchi camo again

Dave


http://www.airwarfareforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2502

[Gregory]

David

Thank you for bringing those photos to my attention.
I badly want/need them for my opus magnum on the Museum about to be published by the Italian Air Force Historical Office.
Does anyone know how to contact RJC?

Gregory

[DaveM2]

Gregory

If you go to the bottom of his message you can 'PM' him, just the same as here.

Dave

[Gregory]

The Vigna di Valle Macchi C.200 is MM.8307, built by Breda in early 1942.
It served with the 86th Squadriglia, first at Pantelleria and then at Araxos, in Greece. It was damaged on 10 August 1942 in combat with two British aircraft, one of which they claimed. Lt Robetto nursed his aircraft back to base, where it was found to require major repairs and was shipped to Megara. It then re-emerged in a technical school in Rome, painted red overall. The Air Force recalled it in 1961 and displayed it several times, still in red, until at least 1973. In 1975 it was repainted green overall for a reunion. Unfortunately, hopes that the original camouflage might survive under the green were dashed by interviews with the people who prepared her: in 1975 they had done a proper job, stripping away all that old paint! And apparently no-one bothered to record unit markings, codes etc. That’s what makes those photos so precious.

Gregory

Last edited by Gregory on Sun Sep 19, 2004 2:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Mike]

Great link Dave, thanks for posting, and thanks for the additional info, Gregory.

Now have a guess where I'm going later in the week.....