Italian Aircraft Camouflage and Markings

[Micdrow]

This thread will be for the discussion of Italian aircraft markings and camouflage.

[Earl]

I am trying to identify the marking on the cowling of the Reggaine 2002.
The photo is of King Victor Emanuel and 5th Storma commander, Major Carlo Rizzi.
Photo was taken October 1943 at Mandurie Air Field . The Americans are Brig General CH Ridenour and Colonel Taylor of the 47th Bomb Wing.

Thanks,
Earl

[Micdrow]

Hi Earl, Ive been trying to figure this one out most of the day, Is it possible that its a personal emblem of a pilot?

[Earl]

You may have a point there. This other photo was taken at the same time and place and there is nothing on them that I can see.
Earl

[Micdrow]

To bad you cant see more markings on the aircraft.

[Earl]

Thanks for taking a look. Let me know if you run across anything. I'll keep researching myself.
Thanks Again,
Earl

[ranger2692]

Earl,
Give me a few days I have seen this insignia, being Italian I sent to italy for Regio decals. I am almost positive I have this one!

Ben

[Earl]

Ben,
Thanks for looking. Let me know if you find something . I been researching this for a long time.

Earl

[jrb53]

My guess is 101 Gruppo, either Squadriglie 208 or 238

According to "Courage Alone" by C. Dunning, only two Gruppo flew the Re 2002 operationally. That was 101 and 102, both from Manduria in the summer of 1943. Both were nearly decimated by September, but did have a few still servicable.

Dunning also shows a photo of the 102 Gruppo's emblem, which he decribes as a "guitar-playing cockroach...used on the unit's Re 2002s." Your photo would be hard to construe as that description. It looks more like a bow-wielding figure to me.

This is still no guarantee however, as there are no photos or references for a 101 Gruppo emblem. Photos of the group's Ju-87s flown earlier in the war (1941) have no visible emblems whatsoever. Have not been able to find photos of the Cr 42s they flew in 1942.

Hope this helps,
Jack

[jrb53]

Slept on this one and came up with another thought: since 101 never used a special insignia before, maybe those are the other planes in the photos. None of the others shown had any cowl markings.

And since the Gruppo had just switched sides, MAYBE 102 didn't want to be identified by their earlier markings, so they changed them a little. They kept the shield, and slightly modified the internal drawing.

But I would bet money that the plane is from either:
Gruppo 101 -Squadriglia 208 or 238
Gruppo 102 - Squadriglia 209 or 239

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful,
Jack

[Earl]

Thanks Jack,
I believe you are correct. The Badge/Marking is one of these four .Gruppo 101 -Squadriglia 208 or 238 Gruppo 102 - Squadriglia 209 or 239 .Here is a photo a friend sent me taken about the same time and place. I'll keep looking and if I find anything I'll let you know.
Earl

[leefif1953]

what is the difference between the fascist symbol in the circle as opposed to the one in the square?

[PATI]

The fasci del littorio inside squares were used by the air force of Republic of Salo', a fascist mini state created by Mussolini in northern Italy by the end of 1943 that continued to fight alongside the Germans.