Frecce Tricolori
We present you only old Frecce Tricolori airplanes, because it's not difficult to find today's Frecce Tricolori gallery.
Prehistory
The first aerobatic flights in Italy date from the 30s of the 20th century, when planes from Campoformido aviation school made some flight demonstrations.
The first aerobatic team after the World War II is Cavallini Rampanti (Rampant Horses). The team is created in 1950 and flies with De Havilland Vampire MB Mk.51 planes until 1952, when the team disbanded. In 1956 the team has been established again under the name Cavallino Rampante (Rampant Horse), but this time they used to fly with Canadair Sabre Mk4 (F-86 Sabre). This team existed until 1957.
From 1953 till 1954 in Villafranca airbase exists aerobatic team Guizzo, flying with four F-84G Thunderjet planes.
From 1955 till 1956 exists Tigri Bianche (White Tigers) aerobatic team, which flies with F-84G Thunderjet planes. This team was the first Italian team visit Canada and USA.
In 1959 in Rimini airbase was created an aerobatic team carrying name Getti Tonanti (Thunder Jet), flying with F-84F Thunderstreak planes and existing till 1960. This team take part at the opening of Olympic Games in Rome in 1960. For this reason plane's tails painted in Olympic Games colours and circles.
From 1957 till 1959 in Ghedi airbase exists Diavoli Rossi (Red Devils) aerobatic team, flying with F-84F Thunderstreak planes.
In 1958 in Cameri airbase has been established Lanceri Neri (Black Lancers) aerobatic team, flying with Canadair Sabre Mk4 (F-86 Sabre) planes, but the team existed only till 1959.
Frecce Tricolori History
Frecce Tricolori (Three-colored Arrows) have been created on 1 March 1961, as the 313th aerobatic training group in Rivolto airbase. At the beginning the team used to fly with Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk.4 (F-86E) planes. Two years later, they transited to Italian made fighters Fiat G-91 and flew with them till 1981, when the team receive the new Italian training plane Aermacchi MB-339. In 1971 released a movie "Forza G" based on inside life of Frecce Tricolori pilots. You may watch it on our video page.
On 28 Aug 1988 in Ramstein airbase on West Germany territory, happened the worst accident in aerobatic teams' history. During "Broken Heart" manoeuvre, the formation of ten airplanes separated to three formations in the top of the loop: one in five planes, one in four planes and a solo pilot. The first two formations separated in opposite directions, while the solo pilot separated from the other two formations in 90 degrees direction. From these directions they continued looping until they crossed at the bottom of the loop. The wrong execution of this manoeuvre from solo pilot side, Lt. Col. Ivo Naturelli, caused the collision with the first formation. The solo pilot plane #10 collided with the upper surface of the #2 fuselage, and then crashed on rear section of the #1 fuselage. #1 started to spin and crashed onto #2. Then #1 and #2 crashed on taxi way. The solo plane hit the ground in front of the public, and then crashed on an ice-cream van killing immediately 31 people. Later other 44 peoples died from their wounds. 500 people approximately where injured, and three of the team pilots died. One of the other two planes involved in the crash, hit the taxi way, but other hit the standing UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, killing its pilot who was in the cockpit. Other seven airplanes landed on the nearest airbase Sembach.
What are Frecce Tricolori
The team consist of 13 jet training Italian made planes Aermacchi MB-339, but only 10 take part in the airshow. All team members carry callsign Pony, following the number of the plane. On #0 plane flies the commander of the squadron, who is a former team member, and he don't fly in the demonstration. On #1 flies the leader of the team, who must be former team member, excluding leader position. On #10 position flies the solo pilot. The support team consists of approximately 60 members, carrying responsibility for the perfect repair of the planes, administration and other support duties. 750 flying hours on jet plane are required by the candidate-pilots. Every show season of the Frecce Tricolori begins on 1 May and consists of about 35 air demonstrations. The team have three types of shows depending on the weather condition - low, flat and full. After every 60 flying hours, the airplanes of the team go to service check. Team's planes are equipped with smoke generators emitting green-, red- and white-coloured smoke.
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