The “Pagliano e Gori” has opened a permanent exhibition of historical photos and memorabilia, open to the public. For the occasion, numerous representatives of local institutions and veterans“ associations were present, including Pierfrancesco Galante, Prefect of Pordenone, several mayors of municipalities close to the Base, the Pordenone Section of the Air Force Association, the Frecce Tricolori Club of Roveredo in Piano, the ”Il Nastro Azzurro” Association, and retired personnel from the Air Force.
The event continued with the blessing of the hall by Monsignor Giuseppe Pellegrini, Bishop of the Diocese of Concordia – Pordenone.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the hundred or so guests present were able to visit the hall.
Comprising various memorabilia and around one hundred photographic reproductions displayed across 160 square metres, the exhibition retraces the most significant and important moments in the airport's history.
It begins in the first decade of the 1900s, with the “Aviano Military Aviation School” (1911), World War I, the birth of the Royal Air Force (1923), the establishment of the 18th “Ground Bombing” Wing (1936), World War II, the various air shows held over the years, including the last “Open Day” in 1996, up to the international operations in which the Unit has taken part, including the recent one in Libya.
In addition to all the photos displayed in the hall, there are others, no less important, which frame the corridors on the various floors of the historic Palazzina Comando, now restored and home to the Commander's Office and his staff.
A good portion of the images on display come from private archives belonging to collectors and friends of the airport.
The artefacts on display allow us to appreciate the evolution of pilot equipment from the dawn of aviation in 1911 to the present day, with an exhibition of mannequins dressed in period clothing up to the advent of the anti-gravity suit, known as “anti-g”.
Other memorabilia also adorn the hall, including the original propellers of the Caproni Ca3, helmets from the Second World War, complete with goggles and communication apparatus, the aerial torpedo that equipped the SM-79 aircraft (1940-1943), the Martin-Baker ejection seat from an F-104 aircraft, the “F.F.F.” motobomb and the Viper engine from the MB-326 aircraft.
Starting next week, the exhibition will be open to all citizens: from Monday to Thursday, from 09:30 to 15:30, with prior authorization from the Aviano Airport Command. Individual visitors will be admitted with at least fifteen days' notice, while groups and delegations from Military Associations can visit the exhibition on Thursdays at 09:30.
