{"id":52177,"date":"2023-06-25T23:20:07","date_gmt":"2023-06-25T21:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/?p=52177"},"modified":"2025-06-25T00:05:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T22:05:36","slug":"a-tour-of-the-spectacular-italian-air-force-museum-after-its-renovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2023\/06\/25\/a-tour-of-the-spectacular-italian-air-force-museum-after-its-renovation\/","title":{"rendered":"A tour of the spectacular Italian Air Force Museum after its renovation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Italy is a country with a long history of civil and military aeronautics. The latter began in the last quarter of the 19th century.<\/p>\n

US Army Aviation Museum: a place to see spectacular historic aircrafts<\/a><\/rel>
\nA tour of the fabulous contents of the aeronautical museum at RAF Cosford<\/a><\/rel><\/p>\n

In 1884 the Aeronautical Service of the Italian Army was founded<\/strong> (renamed the Aerostatic Section the following year), which operated hot air balloons. Italy used its first fixed-wing aircraft in military operations in 1911<\/strong>, specifically in Libya.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
The Troster Hangar of the museum contains the oldest aircraft in Italy, between the years 1904 and 1918 (Photo: Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica Militare<\/a>).<\/div>\n

During World War I, Italy built some 12,000 aircraft, being part of the Army Aeronautical Service. The formation of the Italian Air Force as an autonomous branch of the armed forces took place on March 28, 1923<\/strong> with the creation of the Regia Aeronautica (Royal Aviation), which after the establishment of the Italian Republic, it was renamed Aeronautica Militare (Military Aviation) in 1946<\/strong>, a name it maintains today.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
The Velo Hangar of the museum, in which aircraft from the interwar era are preserved (Photo: Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica Militare<\/a>).<\/div>\n

The Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica Militare<\/ a> (Historical Museum of Military Aviation) was inaugurated on May 24, 1977 in Vigna di Valle<\/strong>, 19 kilometers northwest of Rome and on the shores of Lake Bracciano. It exhibits 79 aircraft in four hangars and in an outdoor area<\/strong>, with a total area of 16,000 square meters.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
The Skema Hangar exhibits post-World War II aircraft. In the foreground we see a Fiat G.91 Gina and a North American F-86 Saber (Photo: Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica Militare<\/a>).<\/div>\n

The museum recently underwent a renovation process<\/strong>, reopening its doors to the public on June 16, in time to coincide with the centenary events of the Italian Air Force. The result of the renovation is excellent<\/strong>, as you can see in these images. In addition to offering the opportunity to visit it physically, the museum's website includes a virtual tour (click here)<\/a>, with which you can see its contents without leaving home.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
Several of the helicopters on display in the museum. The HH-3F Pelican seen in the background was used in some of his movements by Pope Saint John Paul II (Photo: Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica Militare<\/a>).<\/div>\n

In the museum you can see planes from before the First World War <\/strong>, (some are replicas), as well as planes from the two world wars (not only Italian), from the interwar period, the Cold War and the present. Among the most modern aircraft there is an F-16A<\/strong> (in the colors used while this fighter was in service with the Italian Air Force) and a Panavia Tornado F3 ADV.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
An F-16A and a Panavia Tornado F3 ADV on display at the museum (Photo: Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica Militare<\/a>).<\/div>\n

In addition to the planes, the museum also exhibits engines, vehicles, weapons, uniforms, etc.<\/strong> A fun destination if you travel to Rome and are a fan of planes. This Friday, Vintage Aviation News<\/a> posted a video showing the inside of the museum after your renewal:<\/strong><\/p>\n