Title: Decennial Aerial Cruise
Artist: L. Martinati
Year of Publication: 1933
Publisher: Milan: officine I.G.A.P.
Language: Italian
Size: 36 1/2" x 52"
Index Number: 00196

Description:

Rome - Chicago - New York - Rome. DECENNIAL AERIAL CRUISE, 1933-XI. S. 55X Savoia-Marchetti Seaplane; Isotta-Frachini "Asso" Engine; Magneto, Spark Plugs and Battery by Magneti Marielli; Fuel by Stanavo Aviation of Italy-America Petroleum, Genova.

Conceived as a grand propaganda event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Mussolini’s Fascist regime in 1933, Italian General Italo Balbo flew an armada of 25 seaplanes manned by nearly 100 officers on a great mass flight from Rome to Chicago and New York and back to Rome. General Balbo’s huge Savoia-Marchetti S. 55X Flying Boats flew in perfect formation for much of the 12,000 mile journey, an impressive feat to accomplish at a time when any North Atlantic crossing was considered a risky endeavor. This flight was inspired by a similar long distance flight led by Balbo in 1930 from Italy to Brazil, but the 1933 trek to North America did more than any other single event to establish the reputation of the Italian government and its Air Force as well as showcase the famous Savoia-Marchetti S. 55X seaplane.