Italian Semi-Rigid Cittä di Ferrara (M.2) Colors

A.W. Carson · 27 May 2009, 04:26 PM

Would anyone happen to know the paint scheme applied to Italian naval semi-rigids, such as "Cittä di Ferrara" of the M-class airships?

I can't seem to find anything that references their colors or wartime insignia. Any help would be appreciated.

paolomiana · 27 May 2009, 10:01 PM

Hi A. W. Carson,

If you're interested in the topic I strongly recommend you B. Di Martino "I dirigibili italiani nella Grande Guerra" Ufficio Storico - Aeronautica Militare.
It contains a lot of pictures and a chapter for every ship used by Italians during WWI
Some copies are available here:

Filatelia Editoria - Vaccari

best regareds

Paolo

Rod_Filan · 27 May 2009, 10:54 PM

M-type airship envelopes were of a 2-ply fabric, so I assume they were a rubberized cotton. My guess is they were a pale yellowish-brown colour. Photos show the M.2 had a hull number painted along the keel between the first and second scallop as was common with several, but not all Crocco semi-rigids. No other painted markings were present that I know of, but the Italians did indeed make a habit of flying the national flag at the stern.

Contemporary postcards commemorating the destruction of the M.2 (painted by non-Italians of course) always present the airship with the tail on fire but the colours of the envelope range from ruddy brown to light-tan. However, what makes it difficult to accept any of these examples as credible is that in all but one that I've seen, the Città di Ferrara is drawn as what looks to be a Forlanini and not a Crocco(!)

Besides the book Paolo mentioned, I'd look for a British source showing the S.R.1 in full colour. It probably had a very similar appearance.
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Cheers
Rod

A.W. Carson · 30 May 2009, 07:35 AM

Thank you all for your suggestions and information! I will see if I cannot get the book on interlibrary loan, as I cannot read Italian.

Varese2002 · 30 May 2009, 02:24 PM

Extra to the books given by Paolo there is a book written by Giuseppe Pesce in 1982 in Italian, which actually also appeared in an English version (see picture).

Quote:

Pesce, Giuseppe. 1982. I dirigibili italiani. Modena: Mucchi.

Cheers

Kees

A.W. Carson · 30 May 2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Varese2002

Extra to the books given by Paolo there is a book written by Giuseppe Pesce in 1982 in Italian, which actually also appeared in an English version (see picture).

Cheers

Kees

Excellent! Thank you for digging that up.