Photos Italian Aircraft

[musec04]

Hi Stig,


Thanks. I believe you're correct. As well as the facts you list, in neither of the photos does the machine have an engine. That seems a bit too much of a coincidence.



Which I'm afraid leads to a couple of follow up questions.


Was the machine flown actually used at Guidonia for any reason,or was it simply an exhibit of some kind?.


I would also like to ask, given that both the S.16 ter and the S.59 bis appear to have had a long life after withdrawl from front line use with the Regia Aeronautica,does any evidence exist for the use of the machines after June 10 1940? I have a note, I believe from the table in Wawrzynski & Lalak's Regia Aeronautica 1935 - 1943 (though I'm struggling to find my copy at the moment) that the S.59 bis did remain on strength at that time. So has anyone anything further at all?


Rgeards,


Clint

[musec04]

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a photo of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 at:


https://www.ebay.de/itm/384619261102...oAAOSwOzFhwPmw


Reversed negative 22 Squadriglia or ss on the fuselage? The reason I ask is that 22 Squadriglia is shown as Middle East baed in Chris Dunning's Courage Alone and in any event in January 1942 disbanded,whereas the machine shown wears a european camouflage scheme and the information provided by the seller would seem to definitely indicate the photo dates from 1942.


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Clint

There is a photo of SS-2 around, so I can only assume SS-1 is correct here.

I would be interested to know what the code SS stood for.

Cheers
Stig

[musec04]

Stig,


Unfortunately I can't remember where I saw it, but SS = Sottosegrettario?.
That is the under secretary of state for the Regia Aeronautica.But I'm not definite that the SM.81 shown was assigned to this depertment and perhaps someone better informed can provide confirmation/refutation.


Have you further information on SS-2? Specifically the type of aircraft? I guess if a liaison of transport type tht increases the probability of what passes for memeory in my case being correct.


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by musec04

Stig,


Unfortunately I can't remember where I saw it, but SS = Sottosegrettario?.
That is the under secretary of state for the Regia Aeronautica.But I'm not definite that the SM.81 shown was assigned to this depertment and perhaps someone better informed can provide confirmation/refutation.


Have you further information on SS-2? Specifically the type of aircraft? I guess if a liaison of transport type tht increases the probability of what passes for memeory in my case being correct.


Regards,


Clint

Thanks Clint

So in other words a politically assigned meaning. OK works for me.
The SS-2 was another SM.81 as far as I can judge.
Just a photo, nothing else.

Cheers
Stig

[Gianandrea Bussi]

SS is for the Squadriglia Autonoma of the Napoli-Capodichino based Scuola Specialisti.


The picture had been taken there: in the background is visible the dome of the still existing church of San Pietro a Patierno



ciao


Gianandrea

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by Gianandrea Bussi

SS is for the Squadriglia Autonoma of the Napoli-Capodichino based Scuola Specialisti.

The picture had been taken there: in the background is visible the dome of the still existing church of San Pietro a Patierno

ciao
Gianandrea

Thanks Gianandrea

Takes a Specialisti to know that....

Cheers
Stig

[Gianandrea Bussi]

About the Clint’s questions in post #21, I may answer that probably the Gennariello was preserved at Guidonia together with other historic aircraft. In fact, in another picture published in an old issue of the italian magazine JP-4 - and taken by the australian when had been made that one of the De Pinedo’s S.16 linked in post #18 - were visible also a Pegna aircraft and a SVA of the 87a Squadriglia (that performed the flight over Vienna on 9 august 1918 lead by Gabriele D’Annunzio). The SVA is probably that one now preserved at the Italian AF museum at Vigna di Valle.
The mountain skyline in the picture on auction in Ebay could be that one surrounding part of the background of the Guidonia airport even though it seems different to me.
About the last use of S.59, in the book written by Gen. Francesco Pricolo “La Regia Aeronautica nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale settembre 1939-novembre 1941” is reported that on 31 october 1939 37 seaplanes of the older types – S.59bis, S.62 and S.68 - were on charge and other 7 were on repair at the producer’s plants. According to “La Storia dell’Aeronautica Militare – i velivoli” by Gregory Alegi, S.59 were phased out at the end of 1939.

[musec04]

Hello Gianandrea,


Thanks for the full and interesting response.I am intrigued by the information from La Regia Aeronautica nella Seconda Guerra Mondiale settembre 1939-novembre 1941 that you mention and believe I might be inclined to buy a copy. Can you tell me, does the book contain more information in terms of aircraft available to the Regia Aeronautica in the 1939-41 period,particularly more elderly aircraft?


Regards,


Clint

[Gianandrea Bussi]

The book include one chapter with author's opinion about the situation of the Regia Aeronautica aircraft when he took command of the Air Force in november 1939, but he don't deal with the older type of aircraft that are only mentioned in a list with indications of number in service ect.


ciao


Gianandrea