“From school desks to university laboratories: the flight through history, techniques and passion”, is the title of the initiative undertaken in collaboration with the Turin Polytechnic that Friday, April 11th, at the Badoni hangar of Italian Air Force Museum (MUSAM) in Vigna di Valle, saw 16 students from the University of Turin share experiences and perspectives on the “sustainable” evolution of flight in front of over 200 students coming from secondary schools in the surrounding area, who attended together with a representation of Students Warrant Officers of the Viterbo School.
The event, sponsored by the Centre for Military Aerospace Studies (CeSMA) of the Air Force Association, was opened with a welcome from the Commander of the Historical and Sports Centre of the Air Force (CSSAM) of Vigna di Valle, Colonel Dario Bovino and from the greeting of the Director of MUSAM, Lieutenant Colonel Paolo De Vita.
16 students belonging to the TEAM S55 POLITO (Turin Polytechnic), accompanied by Prof. Enrico Cestino BEng. Vito Sapienza, they presented the implementation phases of the electrical model for’SIAI S.55 seaplane and anticipated the next development of the HERA projectHigh Efficiency Replica Model Aircraft), which foresees the creation of a long-range flying prototype, capable of retracing one of the stages of the flights completed with the S55X. The project, which foresees the use of a high-specific-energy power system based on hydrogen Fuel Cells, aims to produce electrical energy using water as the sole combustion product, in line with the Clean and Accessible Energy objective of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The interest shown by students from various institutes in the surrounding area in the studies presented was considerable, further amplified by the opportunity to participate alongside university students from the Politecnico di Torino in some practical activities concerning 3D printing of aeronautical components, the evolution of navigation from maps to the GPS, a demonstration of aerodynamic principles in addition to the flight experience in the simulation area Warehouse 22.
As part of the meeting, in addition, with an emotional account linked to the missions in North Africa during the Second World War, the latest restoration work on some [artefacts/items] was presented by two MUSAM specialists. components of the iconic SIAI SM.79 aircraft Sparrowhawk: One Whitehead torpedo, complete with wooden governance, housed in a rare transport trolley and a AR engine Recovered in the 1980s in the Algerian desert.
MUSAM The Historical Museum of the Italian Air Force), is tasked with promoting aeronautical culture, the history, and the traditions of the Armed Force. It is located on the shores of Lake Bracciano, where, at the beginning of the last century, the first experimental aeronautical shipyard was established for airship testing. Subsequently, Vigna di Valle also became the base for the first experimental seaplane unit. After the war, it hosted the first air-sea rescue unit, operating with seaplanes. In the 1960s and 1970s, it became home to the Sports Centre, the Air Force Personnel Selection Centre, and the Armed Force's Historical Museum. The MUSAM covers an area of over 16,000 m² of indoor space, plus large outdoor areas. It houses and displays, in chronological order, over 80 original aircraft, as well as engines, uniforms, and aeronautical memorabilia. As part of the celebrations for the Centenary of the Italian Air Force's establishment, it has been expanded and completely renovated and reopened to the public in 2023, and is now open for visits according to the procedures indicated on the official website. On the Google® information platform, which is based on direct visitor reviews, the MUSAM boasts a rating di 4,8 su 5 stelle che lo colloca al secondo posto al mondo tra i musei aeronautici, dietro solo al National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton (USA).
