My Favorite WW1 Topic~~

[cirelaw]

For our Italian friend~~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9zHmrrHqO0 Sergio!

[GySgt1811]

Originally Posted by luger.parabellum

Gunny John

As you now the original Franecsco Baracca's SPAD VIII went destroyed when the pilot got shot while flying over the Austrian lines on 19 of June 1918 still you might be interested to see the video of the very exact copy rebuilt and flying:

http://www.museobaracca.it/Video2/Un...o-del-Montello

Sergio

Sergio,

I knew that Franecsco Baracca is, perhaps, Italy's greatest ace. I didn't realize that the Spad in the picture was a replica of his. From what I've heard (obviously!) the Spad was a powerful and tricky aircraft to master, but Baracca did it well.

Italian aircraft, by the way, are greatly underrated in my opinion. The WW1 Caprione's were intriguing and radical for their time; and WW2's Folgories (Please pardon my very bad Italian spelling ) were flying Ferrari's!

And what a great video! Thanks for sharing, but I have two questions. Instead of an American rock group sing some insipid song, why wasn't the background music Verdi's "Te Deum" or Va Penserio?" And I wonder what engine they put in the replica instead of the water cooled V-8. If I recall correctly the original was a Marc Birget designed Hispano-Suiza. Of course, there may not be any H-S's left, or any left that could be risked in an operational aircraft.

Very Best Regards,

Gunny John

PS. My wife and I hope to make our 5th trip to Italy sometime in 2015. We can't get enough!

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by GySgt1811

...and WW2's Folgories (Please pardon my very bad Italian spelling ) were flying Ferrari's!

I had to pull out my Illustrated History Of Fighters to try to find that one; I would have to say the G.55 Centauro [Fiat], the C.200 [Machi], the C.202 Folgore [Machi], and the Re 2001 Reggiane were all handsome mono-wing Italian fighter aircraft of WW II.

Many years ago, I read a fascinating article in Vintage Motorsport [IIRC] about the son of an Italian aeronautical engineer who rose to fame & fortune here in the US in the 50's/60's and had a replica of a 1959 Ferrari Testa Rossa built using original leftover parts, damaged cast-offs, a boat engine [from an original Testa Rossa], hand hammered 'new' parts, using the original tree stump forms used back in the 50's, a taxi chassis/brakes/suspension...All period pieces or made by the original craftsmen using their tools and fixtures...No expense was spared...Retro Italian craftmanship...

IIRC, the father was brought here by Howard Hughes to assist in the war effort after Italy capitulated...It seems Hughes had connections and whenever an Axis aircraft was captured, it was brought back for Hughes Aircraft to test and evaluate...I do remember they mentioned the ME262 painted in USAAF colors and actually flown here...