U definitely made a superb job with yr Rearwin mate 🙂
I think I’ve never seen the interiors, do u have some pics of it? Sorry if I’m invading yr privacy 😉

Alex

Melvyn, what prompted u to choose the red livery for your bird? ever thought of a military one? 🙂

Alex

According to a FlyPast article a good few years ago, the Fiat should have a more elaborate scheme but the Italian millitary are not keen about civil aircraft carrying unit badges and codes. Hopefully when it makes a return to full health it will be able to visit the UK again, I would love to see it!

I didnt know about this, and honestly I dont think it’s true.. The ITAF museum donated original ww2 stencils to a a chap I know for his Avia FL.3 some time ago, and helped him to obtain the permission to fly with the Regia Aeronautica roundels too. Most of the time it’s a matter of accuracy of the owners..
I partecipated to the building of a Fokker Dr.I replica here some time ago, the owner asked me to redo all the stencils and lettering according to the original drawings. He painted it like the Paul Baumer’s Fokker, but he made me do a couple of customizations I didnt appreciate.. Sometimes it’s just a matter of taste I guess.

Moggy u r right, it’s a Bell 47, seems like he as at least 7 of ’em!

Alex

the mishap happened in 2002 I think(not 100%, but it was after the shooting of U-571 for sure).

Alex

a REAL shame there’s no Bf109 and FW190 in the list!!! 🙁
So can we officially consider them out of Legends for this year?

Alex

yeah, but that was in the late 90s, isnt it?
I visited Mr. Valenti’s hangar last year and he has so many goodies u wouldnt believe! 😉
The day I was there I saw the 59, a G.46, a SNJ 5, an L-29 Dolphin (?) and the MASH chopper (dont remember the name of dat!)!

Alex

yeah, italian planes are famous for awkward solutions.. u know that until the end of the war we still had the inverted throttle?(pilots used to say”throttle in your pocket”, meaning “full throttle”) Not to mention the wheel brakes operated by a button on top of the control stick or the double altimeters..

Alex

Will give u some lessons about italian planes mate, dont worry 😉
The G.55 we have here in italy is a converted G.59, the major work being done on the nose section. It wouldnt be hard to have a flyable G.55 out of a G.59 airframe, but u need a DB605, and those are getting harder and harder to find. There are all of the original drawings, even for the propellers, it would just need a good financer.. Besides it would be a really great looking machine!! 🙂

Alex