The 'Italian Air Armada', General Balbo's squadron of 24 S.55X flying boats which flew from Orbetello to the Chicago World's Fair and back in July and August 1933. The nearest aircraft has serial (MM)45175 painted at the base of the tailfin. They also had civilian registrations allocated which were chosen for the pilots' names, for example I-BALB for Balbo's MM45174, but the tie-ups are not all known. Photo from: Dan Shumaker collection

These are the only genuine S.55 parts remaining in Italy of some 240 of these impressive double hull flying boats. A formation of 24 S.55X completed an 18600 km Atlantic round-trip to the USA in 1933, after 14 S.55TA flew to Brazil in 1930-1931. On display are the central part of the left hull, a tail rudder and an engine. The hull still shows partial markings of the 199a Squadriglia, 94° Gruppo, based at Orbetello.