A week of initiatives and events at the AM Historical Museum with students and experts from all over the world, and an open day with free admission on Saturday, October 26, featuring a special “Red Race” route in collaboration with the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, attended by over 4,000 visitors
Exactly 90 years ago, on October 23, 1934, at the hydroplane landing dock in Desenzano del Garda, headquarters of the High-Speed Department, Marshal Francesco Agello, at the controls of a Macchi MC.72, It set the world speed record at 709.202 km/h, a record that still stands today for conventional piston-engine airships.
The undertaking of Agello, which fits into the golden period of records and firsts of which the then Royal Air Force It was a phenomenon that swept the world during the 1920s and 1930s of the last century, and it was remembered these days at the Museum of Vigna di Valle History, which boasts the largest collection of historic hydrocycles in the world, including the record holder with an original engine, with the event “Rosso Corsa – the myth of speed”, a series of initiatives organized in collaboration with the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and with the Ferrari Museum. And it was from the Maranello collection that it came to Vineyard of the Valley – where it will remain on display until November 3rd – the Ferrari 126CK – 1980 by Gilles Villeneuve, who took part in a historic challenge with an interceptor fighterand F-104 of the Air Force on Airbase of Istrana in the distant November of 1981, as well as other valuable items and racing clothing from the Charles Leclerc and a Ferrari engine that has been completely rebuilt and is working, explained by the students of the Maranello Vocational Institute who have carried out the restoration and electrical operation of the engine.
A combination, that of the’Italian Air Force and the Ferrari, which comes from afar, from the famous Cavallino Rampante by Francesco Baracca, Donated by the mother of the’Association of Aviation after his death in Enzo Ferrari, As a symbol of good luck for the fortune of the then-emerging automotive company from Modena. A link of history and symbols, therefore, under the sign of “Rosso Corsa”, the color that identified the Italian aircraft in the aeronautical competitions of those years and that would later become the characteristic color of the Italian motorcycles and cars competing in the race. A tapestry that over the years has been marked by events, partnerships and, indeed, extraordinary challenges between machines and aircraft: that of 1981 with Villenueve This was followed by another, equally iconic one on December 11, 2003’military airport of Grosseto, Among the Michael Schumacher's Ferrari F2003 GA and an Eurofighter fighter jet.
The anniversary of the record was the occasion to inaugurate a special museum trail, under the sign of the color red, speed and Italian excellence, through which visitors can trace the technological evolution in the field of aeronautics – from the dawn of flight history to the present day – as well as experience first-hand the deep bond and the engineering and industrial fervour that, especially at the crossroads of the two eras, has led to the development of the Italian aerospace industry. World Wars, It has characterized many sectors of our country, first and foremost the aeronautical and automotive sectors. For
On this occasion, on Saturday 26 October, the gates of the airport “Luigi Bourlot” by Vigna di Valle, The oldest hydroport in Italy, opened to more than 4,000 visitors with free admission, and provided guided tours, play areas for children, gaming areas, and stands dedicated to graphic novels, model making, and 3D printing. Also on display the F-104 Special Color 9-99 of the Air Force, temporarily loaned from the 9th Stormo of Grazzanise, which on October 14, 2004 raced a Ducati 999 on the runway of the Campania military airport, as well as many interesting memorabilia from the past. National Museum of United States Air Force, such as the Stratospheric Pilot Suit of the SR-71 (the fastest in the world) and a test-model of a supersonic and stratospheric aircraft.
The Commemoration of the record It actually began on October 23 with a specific focus on schools and the official opening of the museum tour dedicated to speed, which took place in the presence of Commander of the AM Rome Command, Air Squadron General Giandomenico Taricco, of Head of the 5th Department of Communications of the Air Staff, Gen. B.A. Urbano Floreani, by the Director of the Ferrari Museums, Dr. Michele Pignatti, and by Dr. Harry Raffal of the Royal Air Force Museum, and Dr. Doug Lantry of the National Museum USAF in Dayton.
More than 300 students from various secondary schools in Rome and its province, welcomed by Commander of the Historical and Sports Center of Vigna di Valle, Colonel Dario Bovino, And the staff of the Museum were able to experience a day of study and in-depth exploration of the “myth of speed” and the historical and technological elements of an enterprise like that of Francesco Agello and many other pioneers of aviation of his contemporaries. On this occasion, an official call for tenders was also launched, conceived and promoted by’Historical Office of the Air Force in collaboration with l’Regional School Office of Lazio, It is open to all regional educational institutions, precisely to promote reflection and increase knowledge about these historical topics.
On Thursday 24, however, a meeting was held between historians, academics and representatives of industry and important international museum institutions to analyze – from a historical and scientific perspective – the Italian tradition and excellence in the hydrocarburization sector.
The CSSAM (Historical and Sports Center) of Vigna di Valle It is located on the banks of the Lake of Bracciano, in a natural setting of rare beauty and hosts two unique realities of the’Air Force: the MUSAM (Historical Museum of the Air Force), It has the task of disseminating aeronautical culture, history and traditions of the Armed Forces. Within the framework of the celebrations for the Centenary of the establishment of the Air Force It has been expanded and completely renovated and is now open to visitors according to the procedures indicated on the official website. Since reopening in May 2023, well over 100,000 visitors have already visited the site. Italian Air Force Sports Centre contributes to the protection of national sporting heritage through careful research into the best talents of national and international interest. Thanks to a top-level staff, it ensures athletes adequate support during all phases of competitive preparation, contributing to their technical development at both practical and theoretical levels.
