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Aviation History
1947
1947 - 1989.PDF
NOVEMBER 13TH, 1947 h I Meeting in Italy 553 EIGHT aeromodellers from the Northern Heights,Bradford and Halifax Model Flying Clubs flew toRome on October 23rd in response to an invitation from the Italian Aero Club to attend an Aviation Day at Centocelle airfield, near Rome. They were joined by two others who travelled overland, and by Mr. S. Cotton, who flew out in his Lockheed 12, with two friends. A cold front which swept Italy on the 25th caused a postponement of the Day until November ist, so that the British visitors were able to fulfil a number of l functions. Guests of Dr. A. P. Thurston at ' dinner included Prince Ruffo della Scallatta, Colonel Guiliani (President and Vice-President of the Aero Club of Rome), General Mazucco (Vice- President of the Aero Club of Italy), General Ram- pelli and Commander Francesco Grutter. W/C. C. M. M. Grece, D.F.C., the acting British Air Attache, was also present. Dr. Thurston conveyed to his guests a message of good wishes for the success of their Day from Lord Nathan, and Prince Ruffo was made an Honorary Member of the Northern Heights Model Flying Club. Later the British visitors were entertained by Prince and Princess Ruffo. On the day of the _, , ...... disDlav at Cento Tbe bust of Wllburdisplay at Cento- Wrignt<who instructed celle 100,000 people ^ ^ /tfl/,fln ^ arrived. The Minis- onve,/ed at Centocelle ter of Defence, Sig- by the Italian Minister nor Cingolani, un- of Defence. It will be evident from the above that Italian pilots have lost none of their skill in formation flying. The aircraft are Boltimores. On the left Dr. Thurston chats with aeromodellers. British Enthusiasts Attend Aviation Day at Centocelle veiled a bust of Wilbur Wright and recalled that MarioCalderara, the first Italian pilot, had received his tuition from this great pioneer at Centocelle. The Chief Chaplainof the Italian Air Force said that, just as Christianity first spread from Rome, so Wilbur Wright came to Rome tospread aviation. In the name of all pioneers, Signor Caproni honoured the name of Wilbur Wright. Distin-guished spectators included the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force. Model Flying The afternoon opened with a display by every kind of model, including control-line types, diesel and petrol models. This was followed by formation flying by Balti- mores and aerobatics by a Fiat G.55. An outstanding event was the parachute descent in which Irvin and Sici parachutes were employed, the latter being of variable area, under the control of the pilot. Italian journalists then flew past in their own aircraft. On Saturday, November ist, a reception was held at the Aero Club of Rome, and a silver-gilt cup was presented by Prince Ruffo to British model flyers who attended the meeting as a souvenir of the re-establishment of friendly relations between Italy and Great Britain. The following day a reception was held by His Excel- lency De-Cesare, acting Lord Mayor of Rome, in his chambers on the summit of the Capitoline, one of the greatest honours which can be bestowed by the City of Rome upon visiting foreigners. Before the British team left Rome the following message was received from the Italian Minister of Defence by Dr. Thur- ston : " Please accept my personal and heartfelt thanks for your having partici- pated in the flying display at Centocelle. Your stay in Italian territory will serve so much as a means of creating sincere friend- ship bewteen Italian and English aviators as both are working together towards the diffi- cult conquest of the paths of the air for the benefit of mankind." Much of the credit for the success of the Aviation Day was due to Signor Guido Matteoli, one of the veterans of Italian aero- nautical journalism.
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