This year sees the centenary of an exceptional event in Italian aeronautical history. On 14 February 1920, with the take-off from Centocelle of two Ansaldo SVAs piloted by Arturo Ferrarin and Guido Masiero, an epic flight began, one that would last for more than three months and saw the biplanes bringing Italy’s colours to far-off Tokyo
After the end of the First World War, poet Gabriele D’Annunzio, honorary commander Servizio Aeronautico’s 87ª Squadriglia ‘Serenissima’ proposed to its pilots that they should launch an ambitious long-range flight from Italy to Japan. Already aware of the ability of the aviators and the characteristics of the Ansaldo SVA biplanes flown by the unit, D’Annunzio had developed the concept with his friend, the Japanese poet Harukichi Shimoi, who had settled in Italy, enlisted in the country’s armed forces in 1917, and would become a fellow supporter of Italian fascism. The intention was to “promote and celebrate the name of Italy in that far-off country and bring prestige to the numerous Italians who lived there” Moreover, it would represent an excellent shop window for the Italian aviation industry, in crisis following the post-war cancellation of lucrative contracts.
D’A…
