This year the Italian Navy celebrated 100 years since the birth of Naval Aviation, born in June 1913 to manage seaplanes embarked on board the ships of the Royal Italian Navy.
3 open days were scheduled in 3 different bases. The only one close enough was MARISTAELI Luni, the helicopter base near La Spezia.
AgustaWestland AW101, ASW version
AW101, assault version
AW101 cockpit
AgustaWestland NH-90, ASW version
NH-90 cockpit
NH-90 SONAR station
Coast Guard Agusta-Bell AB412
What remains of an Agusta-Sikorsky ASH-3D Sea King
The base’s gate guardians:
Agusta-Bell AB47J
Sikorsky SH-34J Seabat
Agusta-Bell AB204
Agusta-Bell AB47G on a monument to remember Admiral Giovanni Fiorini, one of the founders of the current Naval Aviation
AW101 first prototype
Some pics from the base guided visit:
Egress Training Simulator, used to train pilots to escape a wrecked helicopter in case of ditching
Mirach 70 target drone
Marshaller uniform
AB47J made with welded tubes
The base’s clocktower, built with SH-34 rotor blades and gearbox
RC model… err… drone
Propeller which commemorates the previous owner of the airport, the Italian Air Force