Last month I presented several unit badges & emblems from Italian
fighter units. This month I complement those with a selection of badges
& emblems found on Italian bombers, torpedo bombers, and transports.
I've compiled information on these from several sources, but by no means
am I to be considered the last word on the subject. Thanks to the help
of many readers, the information on these is more complete.
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235a Squadriglia, 60° Gruppo
This emblem was seen on the fuselage side of a Fiat BR.20 from
this unit. It has a diving bird in white, with a red circle
behind it. I am unsure as to whether this badge belongs to the
235a Squadriglia or the 60° Gruppo.
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9a Squadriglia, 25° Gruppo
Another
Fiat BR.20 emblem, this one is also found on the sides of the
fuselage. There are at least two variations of this emblem,
and probably more (a second example is seen at right). This
emblem was often surrounded by a thin white ring as well.
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60a Squadriglia, 33° Gruppo
This emblem is seen on the fuselages of Cant Z.1007bis bombers
of this unit, around 1941. It features a moon, owl and sign.
I am not sure if I have the text right on the sign, or what
it translates to. Does anyone out there know?
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210a Squadriglia, 50° Gruppo
Another Z.1007bis emblem, this one is somewhat interesting.
It appears to be a hat that has had an umbrella and a walking
stick stuck through the top of. A British flag is on the front.
If this shape looks familiar to anyone, please let me know what
it is....
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176a Squadriglia RST
This rather simplistic badge is found on the fuselages of 176a
Squadriglia's Cant Z.1007bis bombers and features what is likely
a devil of some sort giving a salute while asking a question.
Unfortunately I cannot make out what the words are, but I definitely
can make out the question mark at the end.
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256a Squadriglia, 108° Gruppo
Moving on to one of my favorite Italian bombers, this unit
badge can be found on the fuselages of SM.84s. Similar in appearance
to the SM.79, the SM.84 was almost exclusively a torpedo bomber,
which is why this emblem features a bird diving on a ship. The
phrase "Ocio che te sbuso!" translates to "Beware,
I sink you."
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41° Gruppo Autonomo
This unit badge is also found on SM.84s based out of Egeo Maggio
in 1941. It features a winged devil complete with pitchfork
flying down on some unseen prey. The phrase "Usque Ad Infernos"
is written in Latin below the figure and translates to "Go
to hell."
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218a Squadriglia, 54° Gruppo
Found on another Savoia Marchetti product, this emblem was
used on SM.81 transports in North Africa. It features a fox
climbing on a moon, with the phrase "Nocte Favente"
off to the side. This is also Latin, and translates to "Calm
Night."
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170a Squadriglia
The Fiat RS.14 was a float plane similar in both layout and
mission to the Cant Z.506. This particular emblem is found on
the fuselages of 170a Squadriglia RS.14s and features a bomb
searching for a ship.
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146a Squadriglia R.M.
This simplistic emblem is found on Cant Z.506 float planes
and features an observer perched on a broomstick, peering through
a telescope. He must be quite skilled in riding that broom,
as he doesn't even need to hold on....
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147a Squadriglia
Another Cant Z.506 squadron badge, this example features a
silhouette of a seahorse with some text above it. Unfortunately
the style of the text is a block style that is very hard to
make out, but it appears to say "Noli Me Tangere", which translates
as "Don't touch me".
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171a Squadriglia R.M.
The final emblem presented here is also found on Cant Z.506s
and features a stork flying across a shield inscribed with the
unit number and the phrase "Amor Addidit". Also in
Latin, this translates to "With Love."
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