Sporting the sticker for the 25 Years of the unit on the nose, this aircraft is equipped with two DEFA 553 30 mm gun pods. During the winter, after the ending of an airshows season and before the beginning of the next one, the Frecce Tricolori pilots train in typical military operations with the MB-339, such as close air support.

Open day for the Italian Armed Forces celebration day

Static display for the Italian armed forces' celebration day. Note the open nose cone with the reconnaissance cameras.

Static display for the celebration of the Italian Armed Forces. Milano downtown hosts the headquarters of the 1st Regione Aerea and Linate the military area used for liason and transport.

Operated by Florida Aircraft Leasing. Originally a Delta Air Lines Convair 340 which was converted to a 440 (date unknown). Kept the same tail number throughout its career. Broken up in Apr 1995.

Operated by Florida Parcel Express

Originally USAF 51-7187. Not very much known about its status and ownership at the time. It became N48318 in June 1999 and was reported seen at Davis Monthan AFB in 2005 being used as a source of spares. Still there by March 2010.

Still in the PAT Air cols I photographed it in at St Louis in Mar 80, now owned by Florida Aircraft Leasing. It went on to fly another 26 years with a variety of operators until ending up as N600UA with Universal Airlines. Damaged beyond repair in a belly landing at Cold Bay AK 12 Jun 2011 as N600UA with Universal Airlines. The crew got distracted and failed to lower the gear for landing!

Operated by Florida Aircraft Leasing

Privately owned. Written off in a landing accident at Torino (Italy) 21 May 89.

Owned by Lynbird International. Although painted on the aircraft the registration N125SF was apparently not taken up and the aircraft remained officially registered N37FL.

Returned from Dow Jones & Company to Florida Aircraft Leasing in 1984. The Dow Jones markings can still be seen on the nose under the cheatline.

Originally USAF 42-72417. Reportedly registered to the JPD Corporation at the time of this picture. To World Wide Air Jan 86 and re-reg N97810 Mar 86. It was seen stored Mexico City in Nov 89.

Ex Aero B Venezuela cols, owned by Atlas Aircraft Corporation since Nov 84. It is very likely that it was officially registered N873TA soon after the acquisition but that the reg was not applied until it was flying again. To Transporte Aerea Dominicano in Feb 86 as HI-474 (later HI-474CT). Withdrawn from use Jul 91.

This was a second DC-6 registered to Vortex Inc. as N11VX. (The first, c/n 43266, was sold in 1983 as HR-AIV). This one was previously N99114 with Vortex and was re-reg in 83 when the other N11VX left for Honduras. Vortex did a great deal of contract work for the CIA at the time. This frame later became N9779N.

Registered to International Airline Support Group and not looking too great at the time. It was, however to continue flying both as N64695 and later N66TR with several owners until retired in the late 90s as 5Y-SJP with Relief Air.

Recorded as registered to Barons of Jacksonville Inc. at the time. Sold to Four Star Aviation Nov 87 and re-reg N136FS Jun 88. Written off by a serious cockpit fire whilst taxiing for take-off at San Juan (PR) 26 Apr 2009. According to one of the crew the fire began when flames suddenly burst out from behind the instrument panel. The cockpit area was completely destroyed. Two crew and two loaders evacuated safely. The Probable Cause was determined to be "worn electrical wires and a fuel pressure indicating system hose, which resulted in a fire". Lucky for those on it was still on the ground!

VH-FWJ was registered in June 1985.