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Re: Legalisation what? (long)

Posted by Gregory on Sat Jan 11, 2003 05:55:56 PM

In reply top Re: Legalisation what? posted by Kenneth on Sat Jan 11, 2003 04:31:12 PM

Paul -

Thanks for clearing up the issue.

I don't think that legalisation was an issue in deciding to sell I-SPIT. Certainly the lack of infrastructure played a role, as did some personal aspects.

Enac (formerly RAI) is generally tighter than US/UK authorities but not uncooperative. Rebuilds such as the two Macchi 205s and the G.59 could not have been accomplished without its cooperation. On the other hand, Diemert-style operations would never get off the ground here. Certainly the military have always resisted proposals to fly their own vintage types (mainly the Harvard) but let's keep things in perspective: the RAF is the only Western air force with a regular active vintage unit.

As to the prevalence of "lighter" types, bear in mind that the T-6 is larger than the Macchi fighters .... Seriously though, the real issues are the lack of rebuildable airframes (Italy built only about 11,000 aircraft in WW2) and of spares of any type. I get a call a month from people wanting to build a Fiat or Macchi, and I give them the same answer - find the engine first. The drawings exists and, given the resources, the aircraft can be built, particularly if US hardware and systems are fitted. But you need engines and propellers, and there are precious few of those. Texan/Harvards are easier to come by and spares are easily found. There is a T-28 at Brescia and talk of a P-51 on the cards.

Finally, the luxury tax. When it was introduced, GAVS was able to obtain an exemption for all pre-1960 types. Other private owners turned over their aircraft (on paper) to licensed operators, whose aircraft are exempt from the tax as tools of work. At the end of the day, I think perhaps no more than fifty aircraft were actually taxed!

So why are there not more warbirds in Italy? GNP is not a problem, but the size of the aviation community is. IIRC, there are no more than 1500 aircraft registered, of which no more than 300 truly private. To have three Mustangs and a Spit would be statistically unlikely.

Of course whenever I win the national lottery I'd be happy to baffle the statisticians ...

Gregory

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