ALI D'ITALIA Monographs These large size (cm 21 x 29.7) monographs each cover specific Italian aircraft. Ranging from 48 to 56 pages with English and Italian text, each gives a comprehensive over-view of the subject aircraft. The plastic fold-out front and rear covers have color profile drawings and a 5 view color drawing of the aircraft. They also have a close up drawing of the cockpit and photos of various kits of the aircraft. Please be advised that some of these kits are no longer available. Please check at each monograph to see if we list a kit. Each monograph has 1:48 and 1:72 scale drawings (multi-engine aircraft 1:72 only) along with numerous black/white photos and illustrations from the original factory manuals. Many of these photos were previously unpublished. Interesting, informative and a must for all who are interested in Italian aircraft. AD01 Fiat CR.42 "Falco" 48 pages The best biplane fighter in the world. Fast, agile and a dream to fly, this was the aircraft with which most Italian pilots began their combat flight careers. Sold to Belgium, Hungary and Sweden, even entering service with the Luftwaffe, it was produced long past its' prime, finishing its' service as a nightfighter and providing escort service. This monograph is a great starting point for those interested in the fighter aircraft of the Regia Aeronautica. $18.99. AD02 Macchi C.202 "Folgore" 56 pages A greatly improved version of the C.200 with a Daimler-Benz DB601 V-12 cylinder liquid cooled, fuel injected engine. With speed and agility enough to dominate the early Hurricanes and P-40's, the "Lightning" put Italy back into the airwar. With this aircraft, the Regia Aeronautica took back control of the skies over North Africa, enabling Rommel to take Tobruk. Almost all of the Italian aces, including Luigi Gorrini and Enio Tarantola, flew this aircraft during their careers. The workhorse of the RA. $18.99. AD03 Reggiane Re.2001 48 pages The Re.2000 with a Daimler-Benz DB601 V-12 cylinder liquid cooled, fuel injected engine. One of Italys' first really competitive fighters, it could hold its own against Hurricanes, P-40's and early Spitfires. The outcome of many of these combats was determined more by the skill and luck of the pilots, rather than by the capability of the aircraft involved. Due to the almost complete inability of Alfa-Romeo to supply adequate quantities of the license built DB engine, the Re.2001 never influenced the airwar to the full extent it was capable of doing so. $18.99. AD04 Fiat CR.32 Precursor to the Fiat Cr.42, this aircraft was powered by a 600HP Fiat V-12 cylinder liquid cooled engine. Unfortunately, attempts by Fiat to develop a more powerful version of this type of engine failed and its successor, the CR.42 was powered by an aircooled, radial engine. The Cr.32 saw combat in the Spanish Civil War against Russian fighters which it generally out classed and its' pilots outflew. This performance led the Regia Aeronautica to mistakenly conclude that the biplane fighter was worthy of further development in spite of the fact that the Me.109B was also flown there and available for inspection by the Italians. $18.99. AD05 C.R.D.A. Cant Z.506 48 pages A large 3-engine floatplane originally designed for commercial use, the "Airone" (Heron) became one of the premier maritime aircraft of WWII. Setting many speed, altitude and distance records prior to the war, the Airone was first used as a level/torpedo bomber and then used for recon and escort duties as it was thought to be to slow for attack purposes. It was also produced in an air/sea rescue configuration being flown in this manner by both the Italians and the Germans. A real beauty of a floatplane able to land in Force 4 and take-off in Force 5 winds. Floatplanes lovers, line up here! $18.99. AD06 Fiat G.50 "Freccia" 48 pages Fiats' first attempt to build a successful single wing fighter. Its design shows the insistance of the RA that the pilot have almost unrestricted vision. This requirement bought about the "hump" characteristic to the "Arrow" and to the Macchi C.200 which the designers hated. Its service record was adequate at best for the Italians, but it did lead to the design and manufacture of the Fiat G.55, one of the best fighters of WWII. In the hands of the Finns, it had a 50-1 kill ratio against the Soviets! A must for Fiat fans. $18.99. AD07 Breda Ba.65 48 pages This assault aircraft was literally pulled from the scrapyards to be put into action. Extremely unpopular at first with its' pilots, because they didn't know how to fly it and didn't want to listen to those who did know, it proved itself in action in North Africa. With an interesting and varied history, it was flown by one of the great Italian fighter aces, Adriano Visconti who was later murdered by communists in Northern Italy after agreeing to disband his unit at the end of the war. The inability of Breda to perfect the aircraft and its poor first impression led to the RA purchasing Stukas from Germany. $18.99. AD08 Macchi C.200 "Saetta" 56 pages After devoting most of their efforts in the Thirties to winning many of the Schneider Cup Races for floatplanes, AerMacchi and its' chief designer, Mario Castoldi produced their first monoplane fighter, the C.200. With finger light handling from the neutral position due to its' unique wing design, the C.200 had great manoeuvrability. It was consistently able to get on the tail of Hurricanes, P-40's and early Spitfires. With only two 12.7mm machine guns, it didn't always have the punch necessary to destroy its' enemy and it didn't have the horsepower to carry two more machine guns without sacrificing too much speed and endurance. Still, a joy to fly and able to acquit itself against its' early war opponents, the C.200 was a good first effort for AerMacchi. $18.99. AD09 Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Part 1 48 pages In service for all of the war years, this aircraft along with the Cant Z.1007, was the most popular bomber in the mind of the Italian public who lionized its' pilots and crews. The "Hunchback" as it was fondly known, could absorb alot of punishment and still bring its' crews home. Very maneouvrable for a large aircraft, during a competition in Argentina, the test pilot after being challenged, flew four consecutive loops with it This section covers its' development as a civilian aircraft and then, its' early war years as a level bomber. $18.99. AD10 Fiat G.55 "Centauro" 56 pages Ah the G.55, the Italian answer to the Mustang, Spitfire and Focke-Wulf 190-D9 and what an answer it was! Fast, heavily armed and very maneouvrable at altitude, it put the raiding bomber forces at risk. Built in too few numbers to make a difference in the air war, it firmly established itself as a premier fighter and was built after the war in several versions. With the typical finger-light controls prevalent on Italian fighters, a competent pilot became very dangerous to his opponents with this aircraft. The beginning of Fiats' real international level fighters and a must read. $18.99. AD11 Savoia-Marchetti S.79. Part 2 With no Italian aircraft carriers, the S.79 was pressed into service as a torpedo bomber and became the scourge of the British Mediteranean fleet. Sinking thousands of tons of merchant ships and warships, including the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, the S.79 left its' mark on those who cast aspersions on the equipment and bravery of the Italian Air Force. Many previously unpublished photos of aircraft and crew. $22.80. AD12 IMAM Ro. 43/44 56 Pages. Laminated Cover The Ro. 43/44 series of floatplanes were developed for use by the Italian navy as reconnaissance and spotter aircraft. Rugged and reliable, the Ro.43/44 series served the Navy well throughout its' service life. This monograph because of the nature of the aircraft chronicled, gives the reader alot of information about the combat activities of the Regia Marina. Used on both battleships and cruisers, the Ro.43/44 series saw action in every naval engagement of the RM. Interesting and fun to read. $18.99 AD13 Aermacchi MB.326 64 Pages The MB.326 two seat trainer/attack aircraft has been the biggest commercial success of the Italian aircraft industry since WWII. Used by the Italians and exported to multiple countries, both as a trainer and a light strike aircraft, the MB.326 has been considered a complete aeronautical success. Using the latest equipment available, the MB.326 re-established the reputation of Macchi and the Italian aircraft industry in general. Flown by air forces around the world, it has done yeoman service for all of them. Possessing all the good flight characteristics and none of the vices, it paved the way for the MB.339A. $22.80 AD14 Marchetti SM.82 56 Pages The SM.82 was the first aircraft in the world designed and built as a military transport aircraft. It was a complete project involving both the Italian Army and Air Force, as well as the national airline. As well as payload considerations, armament and bomb loads were also designed in the aircraft. Capable of carrying 82 paratroops, the SM.82 also could carry a Fiat CR.42 fighter and do so, re-supplying their East African colonies with 50 of them. Flying the longest combat flight to date, on October 19, 1940 four SM.82's bombed the Manama oil refineries in Bahrain with a total of 400 X 15 kilogram incendiary bombs. They flew 4200 kilometers in 15 hours and 30 minutes with no losses. Its' reputation was such that the Luftwaffe ordered 300 and used them extensively on all fronts. This is an interesting aircraft deserving of much more attention than it has had. $22.80 AD15 Piaggio P.108 56 Pages The Piaggio P.108 was designed to fulfill the Regia Aeronautica's concept of a 4 engine strategic bomber. Completely modern in its' design, it featured two remotely controlled turrets mounted on the wings behind the outer engines with 2 X 12.7mm machine guns in each turret. It was capable of carrying a 2000 kilogram (4400 pound)bombload and was the aircraft Bruno Mussolini used as his "signature" aircraft. It took part in night raids on Gibralter and flew combat missions throughout the Mediterranean theater. Unfortunately for Italy, a sufficient quantity was never built due to a failure to develop an effective operational plan for them. A transport version was also built and used by the Luftwaffe. An interesting and informative monograph. $22.80