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100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force Airshow

Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 7:41 pm
by n33d4sp33d_85
100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force Airshow
June 16th - 18th
Pratica di Mare, Italy

Featuring
Italian AF Frecce Tricolori
F-104 Starfighter (x 2) *TBC*
FIAT G.91

Re: 100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force Airshow

Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 5:49 pm
by Adam
Hat tip to fellow user @Kieran for spotting the article, but the news is out regarding the long-rumoured Starfighters. Except it's so much better than expected. Two F-104s coming over from Florida! Hopefully official confirmation soon. The effort being poured into this show is insane.
https://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/ ... rshow.html

I believe the plan is for 100 aircraft in the flying display and 40-60 warbirds representing as many ex-Italian types as possible (not sure if the "100 aircraft" figure includes the warbirds or just current operational aircraft). Foreign militaries have not generally been invited to contribute aircraft, it's an all-Italian affair.

Some practical stuff to populate the thread with: The show will be free to attend but accessible on Saturday and Sunday only (Friday for Air Force staff and families). There will be a spotter grandstand at show centre but the initial site plan shows a capacity for a mere 150 people, so probably quite hard to get access to. Shuttle buses are expected to run from Pomezia town, the Castel Romano out-of-town shopping centre and the Santa Palomba railway station, but the specifics are TBC. It looks like a large amount of the car parking will be off-site at Castel Romano. The above practical info from the Italian Air Force website - but is well hidden. Hopefully the show gets a dedicated website soon.

What an extraordinary show this will be!

Re: 100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force Airshow

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2023 12:12 pm
by kalamazookid
I am extremely envious of anyone who gets to see the F-104s. The howl of the Starfighter is unforgettable.

Re: 100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force Airshow

Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2023 1:51 pm
by Adam
Further confirmation. Also hints that they might do another event(s) outside of Italy while in Europe.


Re: 100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force Airshow

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2023 7:15 am
by Adam
The airshow now has a placeholder website: https://centenarioam.aeronautica.difesa ... one-aerea/

So far it doesn't include much information, but ends with the line: "On this page will soon be available the program and all the details of the event."

Re: 100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force Airshow

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2023 9:01 am
by Flightline Uk

Re: 100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force Airshow

Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2023 3:01 pm
by n33d4sp33d_85
Registration for the show is now available. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you'll see the "reserve" button.
https://centenarioam.aeronautica.difesa ... one-aerea/

Also here's the page for the list of participating aircraft for this year's show.
https://centenarioam.aeronautica.difesa ... ramma-maf/

Re: 100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force Airshow

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2023 11:45 am
by Flightline Uk
The G-91 was a combat aircraft that today represents an important piece of the wonderful history of the Arma Azzurra. Reconnaissance fighter-bomber, single-engine jet and swept-wing, it is also known for having long been the aircraft of the National Aerobatic Team, our Frecce Tricolori, until its replacement with the Aermacchi MB-339PAN. Its last active duty flight was in April 1992.

This beautiful aircraft will fly again! A feat that will materialize on the occasion of the event organized for the Centenary of the Air Force on the Air Base of Pratica di Mare, near Rome!

A race against time to realize the dream of many pilots and aviation and flight enthusiasts that can come true thanks to the entrepreneur Renzo Catellani, promoter of the fantastic enterprise, at Ten. Col. Francesco Dante, head of the Enhancement of the historical aeronautical heritage Section together with his team in Piacenza, Gen. S.A. (r) Maurizio Lodovisi, pilot experimenter and director of the Aeronautical Activities Department of the Arma Aeronautica - Aviatori d'Italia Association who will be at the controls of the legendary G-91 at the Pratica di Mare Air Base next June and, of course, thanks to the Italian Air Force!

Exceptional godmother of this enterprise Marianna Bonavolontà, journalist, author and former Vice-World Kung Fu Champion!

Marianna is not new to the Aeronautical world. Member of the Associazione Arma Aeronautica - Aviatori d'Italia and honorary member of the Club Frecce Tricolori of Rome, she is the daughter of "Goodwill", Luigi Bonavolontà, a well-known "Top Gun" of the 60s - 70s who was an air-to-air, air-to-ground flight and shooting instructor, and was part of the 101st CBR group (Fighter Bombers Reconnaissance) , the Red Devils of Ghedi, the 156th Group, the 14th Wing, the Winged Lynxes and many other flight departments of the Italian Air Force. He was also an instructor in Libya, in Cervia, Foggia, Rimini and Decimomannu in Sardinia.

"Our" exceptional godmother will follow all the phases of the restoration of the historic combat aircraft. On March 28th in Piacenza he attended the start-up of the G-91 engine and the emotion he felt was really strong! After the ignition test, in fact, he revealed: "We did not know if the new compressed air starting system would work and when Gen. Lodovisi roared the engine, we all looked into each other's eyes and the dream ignited!"

We will continue to keep you updated on the developments of the enterprise, waiting for the appointment of 17 and 18 June in Pratica di Mare for the air show of the Arma Azzurra with Marianna Bonavolontà, where we all hope to see the legendary fighter again in flight together with the many other aircraft of our fantastic Air Force!
http://www.assoaeronautica.it/post/lo-s ... yaH_U4F0WY

Re: 100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force Airshow

Posted: Mon May 15, 2023 2:07 am
by Maverick_Kenwei
Is it gonna be on base or is it a performance taking place in mid-air?

Re: 100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force Airshow

Posted: Mon May 15, 2023 5:18 pm
by Adam
Just curious, but have you tried reading the thread before asking the question? Might help!