Reggio Emilia airport, in Italy, hosts the only flying museum in the country with historical jet airplanes: Volafenice, founded by enterpreneur Renzo Catellani.
A short premise: for most of you, seeing airworthy historical jets is quite normal. However, in Italy general aviation is considered an expensive toy for rich guys, and is generally frowned upon by both the people and the authorities. Airshows are seen as a useless waste of money, and even the Frecce Tricolori, despite being very popular abroad, are appreciated by only a small portion of the populace.
That's why, when it was announced that an historical jet would have been returned to airworthiness by a private organization, the announcement was met with skepticism.
Luckily, we were proven wrong when this beautiful Aermacchi MB.326E trainer returned to the air few years ago.
Rear cockpit
The group owns another airworthy jet, an Hunting Jet Provost T.3A.
Cockpit
Currently they are restoring an Aermacchi MB.326K, single seat attack version of the MB.326 for the export market. As far as I know, only 2 aircraft entered service with the Italian Air Force, both serving with the Reparto Sperimentale Volo (Flight Test Wing) instead of operational wings.
Cockpit
They are currently rebuilding also a Piaggio P.148 trainer...
...and a Saiman 202, general aviation airplane built before WW2. During the visit only few ribs were visible.
In the "on hold" hangar there were another Piaggio P.148...
Cockpit
...and a Fiat G.91R light attack plane.
The group owns also a CAP 10 aerobatic plane...
Cockpit
... and a Cessna L-19 Bird Dog liaison plane which flew with the Italian Army:
Volafenice flying museum, Reggio Emilia, Italy
Volafenice flying museum, Reggio Emilia, Italy
My aircraft spotting website: GolfVictorSpotting.it
Re: Volafenice flying museum, Reggio Emilia, Italy
Interesting stuff Giorgio Would love to see more pics of the MB.326K if you have any?
Are the group planning to restore all the airframes to flight? Especially the G.91R?
Are the group planning to restore all the airframes to flight? Especially the G.91R?
Re: Volafenice flying museum, Reggio Emilia, Italy
Wes_Howes wrote:Would love to see more pics of the MB.326K if you have any?
No, sorry, it was in a "crowded" hangar and it was quite difficult to get a "clean" angle
Wes_Howes wrote:Are the group planning to restore all the airframes to flight? Especially the G.91R?
The 326K will hopefully join the airshow circuit in few years! The group hopes to get the G.91 flying too, but they are encountering a number of tecnical and bureaucratic difficulties (e.g. how to train civilian pilots to fly it).
My aircraft spotting website: GolfVictorSpotting.it
Re: Volafenice flying museum, Reggio Emilia, Italy
No problem, thank you for responding I hope they can get the G.91 back in the air as I've never seen one fly
Re: Volafenice flying museum, Reggio Emilia, Italy
Dysko wrote:Wes_Howes wrote:Would love to see more pics of the MB.326K if you have any?
No, sorry, it was in a "crowded" hangar and it was quite difficult to get a "clean" angleWes_Howes wrote:Are the group planning to restore all the airframes to flight? Especially the G.91R?
The 326K will hopefully join the airshow circuit in few years! The group hopes to get the G.91 flying too, but they are encountering a number of tecnical and bureaucratic difficulties (e.g. how to train civilian pilots to fly it).
Don't worry about pilots, we have many here in the UK with plenty of time to fly-it for you ...or train some local candidates?
Re: Volafenice flying museum, Reggio Emilia, Italy
Quality posts, great to see some stuff can still go on in Italy despite the scepticism. Nice photos too.
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