ITALIANS ADD TOUCH OF FLAMBOYANCE TO THE AIR TATTOO
When it comes to creating a dazzling spectacle in the sky, the colourful flamboyance of the Italian aerobatics display team, the Frecce Tricolori, are hard to beat.
The Frecce Tricolori (meaning three-coloured arrows) are hugely popular visitors to the Air Tattoo and this summer's visit will see them mark their 50th anniversary. The team comprises 10 Aermacchi MB-339 jets who pump out a colourful plume of coloured smoke immediately prior to take-off, making them not only the largest aerobatic team in the world – but arguably the most colourful!
The team is among a number of Italian aircraft that have confirmed their participation in this summer's Air Tattoo.
Also taking part will be a Tornado and a C-27J Spartan from the Reparto Sperimentale Volo, the Italian Flight Test Wing located near Rome. It is where flight testing is carried out for all new aircraft introduced to the military.
The C-27J Spartan, which will be on static display, is a medium-sized military transport aircraft that first came into service with the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) in 2006. In 2008, the Italians sent two C-27Js to Afghanistan in support of NATO airlift operations.
The aircraft is extremely maneuverable and versatile, boasting the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class that enables it to perform tight turns as well as rapid climbs and descents. The C-27J can fly farther, faster and higher than any other twin engine military transport aircraft in its class.
Italian Tornados were among the aircraft that recently participated in the enforcement of a NATO no-fly zone in the military intervention in Libya and the one that will be on static display at the Air Tattoo will arrive from 311 Gruppo.
Joining the Frecce Tricolori in the Air Tattoo's flying display this summer will be an Alenia Aermacchi M-346 military training aircraft.
The M-346 is tailored to train pilots to fly new generation combat aircraft and is well suited for every phase of advanced and pre-operational training, to reduce the flight hours on the more expensive aircraft.
The aircraft features avionics modelled upon those of new generation military aircraft such as Eurofighter, Gripen, Rafale, F-16, F-22 and the future JSF.
