Italian Air Force Museum - Pics

[StangStung]

Hello all, I've added some pics of the Italian Air Force Museum's Hangar One here:

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=42501

As I can't seem to update the topic title, I'm adding pics from the rest of the museum to this thread.

Here are some selections from Hangar Velo (the second hangar).

As we enter, we see a bust of this famous fellow:


Quickly followed by an airship gondola, but I'm not sure which one it is. I'm sure someone here has an idea:


Here's some beautiful art deco propaganda for Italo Balbo's long distance flights. Love this stuff:


And here's the last piece of an S.55 anywhere. Looks pretty sturdy to me!


Look up and there's the SIAI S.56.


But here is what some may say is the height of Italian design. If you could put sexy on floats, here it is. The Schneider Trophy racers of the late 20s and early 30s.


I'll leave it there for now. More to come.

[old iron]

And here's the last piece of an S.55 anywhere. Looks pretty sturdy to me!

There is a complete Savoia-Marchetti in Brazil.

Thanks for the pictures - one of the world's best aviation collections, though too many aircraft are still in storage.

[Pat Carry]

An interesting place! I cant help but notice how well lit the place is.

[ffuries]

Here's a link to the photo of the Savoia-Marchetti S-55 in Brazil.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Savoia-M ... 1822059/L/

[cooper9411]

Nice pictures and too bad museums around here aren't as well lit.

[Pat Carry]

Nice pictures and too bad museums around here aren't as well lit.

YES!

[kalamazookid]

All those Schneider Trophy racers... Wow. What a lineup!

[StangStung]

And here's the last piece of an S.55 anywhere. Looks pretty sturdy to me!

There is a complete Savoia-Marchetti in Brazil.

Thanks for the pictures - one of the world's best aviation collections, though too many aircraft are still in storage.

Thank you sir, I stand corrected. After going over my notes again, it appears this is the last bit of this particular aircraft, not of all S.55s, which is now obvious. My Italian translation...it leaves something to be desired!

An interesting place! I cant help but notice how well lit the place is.

The first three hangars are exactly that: hangars. They're big open spaces which were used actively back in the day. The doors to the hangars are pretty much floor to ceiling transparent, which lets a ton of light in and also provides a beautiful view of the lake it sits on. The last hangar was apparently built more recently (no ramps from the lake to it) and is a bit darker in general. You'll see what I'm talking about.

[StangStung]

Carrying on with Hangar 2:

Macchi M.39 (1926)


Macchi M.67 (1929)


Just between those last two (you can kind of see it behind the M.67) was a tiny thing, the Fiat C.29. In comparison with the others, I thought it was a large model! In any case, it was tucked in too tight and I couldn't really get a good pick. Go look it up, it was very interesting. Little more than a man and an engine.

Then there's this guy, the Macchi M.72 (1931). What a beast!




That's it's 24 cylinder (2 12's mated) sitting beside it.


Facing the racers, there's this intriguing pic:

If the dating is accurate, it should be there by now. Someone else's job to post a pic of that one.

Hispano Ha-132-L (Fiat CR.32)
Evidently, this one was built of bits made in Spain. Maybe they were knock together kits? I don't know. Appropriate markings though.


Fiat CR.42 - The placard said this one is 60% original parts.


Then a couple of odds and ends:
Caproni Ca.100:


Libratore Bonomi BS.17


Nardi FN.305


And then we arrive at the Campini-Caproni 2, which is quite a large aircraft. I've always been fascinated with this aircraft. Seems like a really interesting bridge between piston engines and pure jets. Impressive:




Then it's on to Hangar 3

[Flagon]

Hi .Strange that you've beeen there recently from so far and last time i've been there was back in 2002.
The fourth hangar is called Vela (Sail) and is indeed new build (2002/04),the first,the one with the older exhibits in it,is a genuine WW I Austro/Hungarian hangar,called Troster type.
The SPADs,well our SPADs,are both original,the second was tought to be a replica,until,during restoration,original factory stamps were found on some of the wooden parts.
The CR 32 is a Chirri,spanish built CR 32,so not a replica,it was taxiable to the late 60s,early 70s,and has always been a complete airframe with engine,not made up of bits,while the CR 42 is exactly that,and we are SO HAPPY to have one,at last.
Glad you liked the museum,looking better than ever,Ciao.

[Flagon]

No more photos ?Peccato !

[JDK]

As to the MC 72, we had a discussion on hat here some time ago; see: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=42359 for more...

No more photos ?Peccato !

It would be good to see more pics, but not surprising - I also know how much not-fun it is to prepare and upload them, sometimes for a disappointing response - so yes, let's have more please!

Regards

[The Inspector]

It would be sweet beyond belief to hear those ALFAs fire up and run, particularly the Macchi M.72

[StangStung]

More will be forthcoming I assure you, but the real world has intervened! We are trying to spruce up and sell our house and that is pretty much all I have time for after normal work duty these days. I should get a few free hours over the holidays and then I'll fill in the blanks, plus bonus pics of my visit to the Science Museum and RAF Club in London. I am a man of my word, it'll just require some patience on your end!

But I am glad that you all are enjoying them. I really enjoyed the museum, I just wish I had a bit more time there.

And I'm glad Flagon has made his comments. The labels in the museum were in English and Italian, but there were some items which remained unclear in translation. When this occurred, I would then read the Italian and try and filter it through the closest linquistic relative I have a grasp on, Spanish, and fill in the gaps on my own! So it's good to have a local aboard who can give us some clarification!

[Flagon]

Grazie.