Cavallino Rampante in WWII

Noblesse Oblige · Oct 13, 2012

I was leafing through the latest issue of Aviation Magazine and was attracted to a story about early WWII aces in the North African campaign between the Italians and the British. I came upon a photograph of a Fiat CR42 biplane which was piloted by Italian ace Enzo Martissa (second photo). The year is 1940. What caught my eye is what looks like the Cavallino Rampante logo on the fuselage. We all know that the logo was first displayed by Francesco Baracca as his squadron's emblem in the first war. Later Enzo Ferrari adopted it for his Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Romeo racing team in the 30s, and of course it later became the emblem for Ferrari automobiles. What is new to me is the possible use of the logo by at least this one Italian ace in the second war.

Does anyone have further information on this?
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

the_stig · Oct 13, 2012

Also used by Tenente Vittorio Pezzé in 1938.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

the_stig · Oct 13, 2012

found this after googling "cavallino rampante WWII"

http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it said:

History
The 4th Wing is one of the eldest unit of the Italian Air Force: 80 years of effective continuous activity, from 1931 until now. The two Squadrons and some of its Flights were born during the First World War. Its traditions are bond under the symbol of the Cavallino Rampante (Rampant horse) and they are among the earliest traditions of the Italian air fighters, a background that arose from the outstanding victories of Francesco Baracca. At the end of May 1931, the 84th and 91st Flights, combined with the VII autonomous fighter Squadron on Ciampino airbase, were moved to Campoformido Air Force station to be part of a new Wing to be headed by Lt.Col. Roul Da Barberino and formed by two Squadrons. On May 30th 18 Fiat CR.20 ASSO of the 84th and 91st Flights took off from Ciampino to land in Campoformido, at that time base of the 1st Wing. From this Wings personnel, aircraft and resources, came out the IX Squadron with three Flights: 73rd, 96th and 97th and the X Squadron with the 90th, 84th and 91st, known as Squadriglia degli Assi (Aces Flight). On June 1st 1931, the 4th Fighter Wing, composed by the IX and the X Squadrons, was born. The 4th Wing can count among its numbers the most emblazoned Flights of the First World War, such for example the 91st Squadriglia degli Assi with its 60 enemy aircraft shot down, 3 Gold Medals assigned to its pilots (Baracca, Piccio and Ruffo), 16 Silver Medals and 7 Bronze Medals, 10 fighter aces among its personnel, first above all the outstanding Francesco Baracca with his 34 victories with the Spad marked by the Rampant Horse. The Wings insignia, originally a winged man, did not last very long. In fact, in 1933 it was replaced by the Rampant Horse as the two Squadrons were applying this symbol on their airplanes: the IX Squadron chose a white horse on a black layout, whereas the X Squadron chose a black horse on a white layout. The figure-of-eight knot, surmounted by the Ducal crown was introduced in the honor of Duke Amedeo DAosta, Commander and charismatic leader of the Wing through the years 1933 and 1934. By the end of 1939, the Wing was equipped with the first aircraft FIAT CR.42. In 1940, just before Second World War started, the Wing had received the aircraft MC.200 Saetta. In 1941 the IX and X Squadrons were involved in the Yugoslavian area. Soon, after IX Squadron started training with the new MACCHI C202 Folgore, an aircraft that was considered the best Italian fighter of the WWII. The Wing played an important role during the Battle of El Alamein and took part, in 1943, to the air defense over Sicily and Calabria. After the Armistice along with the Allied Forces, the unit took part to the operations on the Balkans until the end of the conflict, operating with the MACCHI C205 in the first period and then with P39, a fighter supplied by the United States. In 1944, the XII Squadron found a new life with 73rd and 91st Flights, taken from the other two Squadrons, but soon after it was disbanded and the Flights were absorbed again by the original Squadrons. In mid-1946, the American P38 J Lightning was assigned to the Wing increasing the efficiency of the unit. In 1948 the Wing moved to Capodichino airbase and, soon after, it received the first P51 D Mustang, known as the best WWII fighter. A new era begun for the Air Force when Italy joined NATO. Two years later, the unit acquired the first jet-engine planes DH 100 Vampire and the airplane was used for the first Italian post-war aerobatic squadron. In August 1953 the XII Squadron was re-established and, in June 1956, along with the Air Forces reorganization, the Wing changed into an Air Brigade, now equipped with F86 E Sabre at that time considered the best fighter - and moved to Pratica di Mare (Rome). In November 1962, the Wing Flag was brought from Pratica di Mare to Grosseto, from now on permanent site of the Air Brigade. In this period, the IX Squadron prepared to abandon the obsolete F-86 E in order to receive F-104 and become the first supersonic unit. In April 1963, while the IX Squadron was receiving the first F-104G Starfighter, the XII Squadron, moved to Gioia del Colle (Bari), received the F-86 K. In 1964, the transition to F-104 was completed and the Air Brigade changed back to a Wing: the X Squadron became part of the newborn 9th Wing and the XII Squadron of the 36th Wing. The brother Squadrons were now divided but still tightened by the same insignia: the Rampant Horse. During summer 1970, the 4th Wing acquired the new S version of the F-104 fighter, whose engine and weapon equipment were modernized. New training, new tasks and new operations that led the Unit to achieve several acknowledgments within NATO, that placed the Wing among the élite of the Italian Air Force.
Click to expand...

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Noblesse Oblige · Oct 13, 2012

Thanks for adding this information.

So it seems that the Italian Air Force continued to use the Cavallino Rampante throughout the 1930s at the same time that Enzo Ferrari was involved in the Scuderia Ferrari's racing activities. And then further into the jet age at least to 1970 and its adoption of the US F104 by Italian Air Force elite squadrons.

A fascinating sidelight on the history of the famous logo.

the_stig · Oct 13, 2012

Noblesse Oblige said: ↑

And then further into the jet age at least to 1970 and its adoption of the US F104 by Italian Air Force elite squadrons.
Click to expand...

I cropped the article. The unit continues and have moved on to the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

Noblesse Oblige · Oct 13, 2012

How cool is that! This should be more widely known.

the_stig · Oct 13, 2012

Noblesse Oblige said: ↑

How cool is that! This should be more widely known.
Click to expand...

I honestly had no idea that Baracca's insignia was anything more than that - his personal symbol. I had always assumed that it's use with regards to the Italian air force had died with him.

Gatorrari · Oct 13, 2012

I think that it started out as his personal emblem, but after his death, it was adopted by his squadron, and has been used that way ever since.

In the case of some other prominent pilots who didn't have personal emblems, their name has been what has been carried on. The Red Baron's squadron was called Jasta Richtofen, and the Richtofen name has been carried, now as a nickname, by a German squadron ever since.

Noblesse Oblige · Oct 13, 2012

The modern logo simply says "4th fighter squadron" and there is an Wiki entry on it in Italian. http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/4%C2%BA_Stormo

The Ferrari logo is of course done in black letters over yellow, with a crown in the colors of the Italian flag. The Italian fighter squadron is done in white over black. One wonders if there are any issues of rights to the logo involved. The Wiki entry for Baracca http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Baracca mentions the Ferrari legacy but does not discuss the later use by the Italian Air Force.

seb333 · Oct 14, 2012

On a less heroical purpose it is also used by the fashion maque "Aeronautica Militare" :
Image Unavailable, Please Login

Noblesse Oblige · Oct 14, 2012

Also the aftermarket carbon fiber Ferrari shields mimick the military colors http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/ferrari-carbon-fiber-shield-ferrari-360-430-pi-153027.html?image=2&osCsid=gtrq3m367r78hbhb6vqrmkrsl7

tonyhemet · Oct 15, 2012

Insignia for the 14th Canadian Light Horse.

sindo308qv · Oct 15, 2012

seb333 said: ↑

On a less heroical purpose it is also used by the fashion maque "Aeronautica Militare" :
Click to expand...

Now you did it! Where can we get one of those polo shirts???????

sindo308qv · Oct 15, 2012

Found the site, pricey but cool.

www.aeronauticaofficialstore.com

the_stig · Oct 15, 2012

sindo308qv said: ↑

Now you did it! Where can we get one of those polo shirts???????
Click to expand...

I took a quick look at their current collection and saw nothing with this logo except a t-shirt that displayed many squadron emblems including this one.

seb333 · Oct 15, 2012

You're right, it seems they're not using the logo anymore. I got a shirt a few years ago but didn't know the logo was related to Ferrari at that time. It's pretty good stuff, not cheap but nice.

Noblesse Oblige · Oct 15, 2012

seb333 said: ↑

You're right, it seems they're not using the logo anymore. I got a shirt a few years ago but didn't know the logo was related to Ferrari at that time. It's pretty good stuff, not cheap but nice.
Click to expand...

It all goes back to Franchesco Baracca.

The Aeronautica Militare stuff is pretty nice. We don't know how good the Italian AF is, but they sure have the fashions.

the_stig · Oct 15, 2012

Noblesse Oblige said: ↑

It all goes back to Franchesco Baracca.

The Aeronautica Militare stuff is pretty nice. We don't know how good the Italian AF is, but they sure have the fashions.
Click to expand...

If you think the polo shirt is cool check out the flight jacket. Also, if you google 4 stormo you will find all sorts of items with the logo - even a chronograph with a Lemania movement.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

sindo308qv · Oct 16, 2012

the_stig said: ↑

I took a quick look at their current collection and saw nothing with this logo except a t-shirt that displayed many squadron emblems including this one.
Click to expand...

Found the polo on a site www.cheapgrandtrade.com

tonyhemet · Oct 16, 2012

Ahh yes, simulated military style clothing for those fascinated by military things who had they actually worn the real deal would never even think of wearing anything that would berate the honour and prestige of the unit.

At least none of the retired or active duty soldiers I have had the honor of knowing.

As for the " How Good the Italian air force is " , I believe it was written : New training, new tasks and new operations that led the unit to achieve several acknowledgements within NATO, that placed the wing among the elite of the Italian air force.

the_stig · Oct 16, 2012

tonyhemet said: ↑

Ahh yes, simulated military style clothing for those fascinated by military things who had they actually worn the real deal would never even think of wearing anything that would berate the honour and prestige of the unit.

At least none of the retired or active duty soldiers I have had the honor of knowing.
Click to expand...

Oh good grief, lighten up man!

sindo308qv · Oct 16, 2012

the_stig said: ↑

Oh good grief, lighten up man!
Click to expand...

Exactly. If anything, it brings more anttention and interest to the squadron, not taking anything away from them. I've seen plenty of retired soldiers, especially from WW2, Korea, and Vietnam wearing their caps etc. and rightly they should.

Noblesse Oblige · Oct 16, 2012

There is a site that displays patches of various squadons and wings from different countries. This is the Italian page http://www.planefacts.co.uk/patch/italy/index.htm One of the patches is our Cavallino Rampante

986986 · Oct 16, 2012

tonyhemet said: ↑

Ahh yes, simulated military style clothing for those fascinated by military things who had they actually worn the real deal would never even think of wearing anything that would berate the honour and prestige of the unit.

At least none of the retired or active duty soldiers I have had the honor of knowing.

As for the " How Good the Italian air force is " , I believe it was written : New training, new tasks and new operations that led the unit to achieve several acknowledgements within NATO, that placed the wing among the elite of the Italian air force.
Click to expand...

Hmm . I think he mis-spelt his .....should read Helmet ......as for the Italian Airforce I can confirm from my cousins recent deployment (fast jet pilot in the RAF) that during recent deployments they are referred to as the "Armani airforce" and they spend a lot of time getting great tans and have a large amount of aircraft that suddenly go U.S.

tonyhemet · Oct 17, 2012

To the_stig: I stand at ease.
To sindo308qv : Your quite correct, I overlooked that.
To Noblesse Oblige: Thank you for your insight.
To 986986: helmet, hmm, that has a nice ring to it, isi'nt peace wonderful, I need to tell my wife to buy some shares in copper tone.

Conversations

Alerts

Cavallino Rampante in WWII

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

the_stig F1 Rookie

the_stig F1 Rookie

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

the_stig F1 Rookie

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

the_stig F1 Rookie

Gatorrari F1 World Champ
Silver Subscribed

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

seb333 Karting

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

tonyhemet Karting

sindo308qv F1 Rookie

sindo308qv F1 Rookie

the_stig F1 Rookie

seb333 Karting

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

the_stig F1 Rookie

sindo308qv F1 Rookie

tonyhemet Karting

the_stig F1 Rookie

sindo308qv F1 Rookie

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

986986 Rookie
BANNED

tonyhemet Karting

Share This Page

Cavallino Rampante in WWII

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

the_stig F1 Rookie

the_stig F1 Rookie

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

the_stig F1 Rookie

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

the_stig F1 Rookie

Gatorrari F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

seb333 Karting

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

tonyhemet Karting

sindo308qv F1 Rookie

sindo308qv F1 Rookie

the_stig F1 Rookie

seb333 Karting

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

the_stig F1 Rookie

sindo308qv F1 Rookie

tonyhemet Karting

the_stig F1 Rookie

sindo308qv F1 Rookie

Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

986986 Rookie BANNED

tonyhemet Karting

Share This Page

Gatorrari F1 World Champ
Silver Subscribed

986986 Rookie
BANNED