Anticipated by a press conference held on September 13th at the Terrazza Duomo in Milan, on September 23, 2023, we had the opportunity to witness at Volandia (Case Nuove – Somma Lombardo, Varese) the unveiling ceremony of the museum replica of the S.55 X I-BALB, the legendary seaplane from Siai-Marchetti, a symbol of Italian excellence and technology. It was a key player in the famous 1933 Decennial Air Cruise led by Italo Balbo, involving a formation of 24 seaplanes traveling from Orbetello to Chicago and back. This event, part of the celebrations for the Centenary of the Italian Air Force, was presented by Volandia’s president, Marco Reguzzoni, and the Chief Inspector General of the Italian Air Force, Basilio Di Martino, with the ribbon-cutting performed by Paola Balbo, Italo Balbo’s daughter-in-law.
A dream turned into reality, considering that it took seven years, from 2016 to 2023, to accomplish it. This achievement was made possible by the meticulous work of about ten volunteers and former Siae-Marchetti employees, coordinated by engineers Giuseppe Orsi and Filippo Meani, in Volandia’s restoration workshops. Each volunteer contributed a total of eight thousand hours of work.
This is a unique specimen that will remain on permanent display at Volandia. “It’s a beautiful moment and a day we will never forget,” proudly stated President Reguzzoni.
In the exhibition hall, next to the seaplane, there was also a display of memorabilia, including Ezio Vaschetto’s suitcase, provided by our member Luigi Farina and previously described in an article published in AIDAFlash No. 165 in 2020. Ezio Vaschetto was a radio operator who was aboard the I-NANN during the Decennial Cruise. As seen in the photos, the suitcase contains various flight instruments. Additionally, our member Giorgio Moretti’s beautiful collection dedicated to the aforementioned cruise was also on display.
There were numerous attendees, and the enthusiasm was palpable, as you can see from the selection of photos attached below.
