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In addition to writing more than 220 articles and 70+ pages on this blog (that has been visited in 2008 by 200.000 unique visitors from all around the world), I’ve been writing hundreds articles for the major worldwide aviation magazines since 1996. My bio can be read in the About page. I’m an ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, ITIL v3 certified and have a deep know how in IT security and can provide a unique view about airport LAN and on board network and data security.
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I'm the author of "F-104 Storia di un mito", the only official book published by the Italian Air Force to celebrate the retirement of the Starfighter in 2004. I'm also a photographer and my pictures have been used in books, magazines, websites and calendars.
This is a place to talk about military aviation, flying, photography and much more.
The above image was created by Andy Spagna, as a gift for my first trap landing on the USS Nimitz, by modifying a real "Centurion" patch celebrating the 100 arrested landing on the aircraft carrier.
David;
Greetings!
I work for the Colombian National Museum of Transportation, I have always been interested on the whereabouts of the Italian F-104S fleet. Could you be able to tell what was the fate of the Starfighter fleet after the Pratica di Mare farewell exhibition on may 2004?
Is there any chance to save some of the F-104S for future conservation at Museums around the globe? I spoke to Paolo Barriale, Italian historian, about the aircraft and he said to me that getting one for conservation was out of the question if not impossible. This was around the same time the aircrafts were due to retirement.
What happened to the fleet since?
By the way, nice blog and great bank of images you have gathered here.
Alberto Silva Borrero
Aviation Division, Advertising.
Colombian National Museum of Transportation
Cali – Colombia
Hi,
thank you for you comment.
Dealing with the F-104, starting from 2004 the phase out interested both Grazzanise and Grosseto airbase. Grosseto based aircraft moved to Grazzanise and on Oct. 31, 2004, the remaining airworthy F-104s of both 4° and 9° Stormo made their last operative sorties landing after performing a flypast above the airbase as a 5 ships formation.
Actually, many Starfighters, comprising the world famous 9-99, were still airworthy at that time. At least one of the TF104s was operated until Jul 27 2005 by the RSV at Pratica di Mare, as a chase aircraft for the F-2000 Typhoon. Jul 27, 2005 is the date of the last flight of an F-104 in the Italian Air Force history.
Many aircraft lying in the Grazzanise scrapyard have been restored since. Some where donated to museums, others were preserved to become gate guardians or monuments. I don’t know if getting one is impossible now, but it could be worth a try.
Best Regards,
David
salve, sto conducendo una ricerca sul servizio di radiomisure. vorrei capire come si effettua operativamente il servizio (quanti passaggi sono necessari, quanto dura un volo, ecc) ma non trovo nessuna fonte attendibile. saprebbe consigliarmi una pubblicazione o un sito che possano essermi utili? grazie mille
My friend & I recently had the pleasure of meeting 3 pilots from Italia’s Aeronautica, in Las Vegas.
These fine gentlemen left the city on August 29th, and they will forever be our friends. Very fine men the all of them.
Although this email is not about these plane’s literature,etc. I just wanted to note that.
Sincerely,
Hi David, I will be visiting Rome from the 12th to the 21st of September. I would like to pay a visit to the Italian Air Force Museum at Vigna de Valle. I will be using public transportation eg buses or trains. Is it possible to get to the museum using public transport?
Best wishes, George Nixon.
Hi George,
yes you can plan your travel at the COTRAL site (http://www.cotralspa.it/TrovaPercorso.asp) by using the following as destination:
Bracciano, Museo Storico dell’Aeronautica Militare [POI]
You will be given a few choices, maps, etc.
Best Regards,
David