Author: Daniele Mattiuzzo of VMAS (Veneto Military Aviation Society). This is a rare photograph of an Atlantic equipped with an underwing pod. We made some research and this one could be a recce pod built by Alkan, hosting Omera 35 cameras, and possibly modified to drop chaffs during the operations over Balkans. It seems also from the research that the Atlantic could be equipped with a searchlight pod to help during SAR operations, since the fuselage bay could host a lifeboat that could be dropped on the sea. Any information on these two kinds of pods will be highly appreciated.

International Air Tattoo 1979. Operated by 30 Stormo - 86 Gruppo.

Delivery flight from Sigonella to Cagliari Elmas, home base of 86 Gruppo, after 3rd level maintenance at Sigonella Atlantic's RMV. In July same year it participated to Fairford IAT. Photo taken from MM40125 when leaving Sicily's coast