A massive Italian entry of six racing SM.79s and two Fiat BR.20s dominated the 1937 Istres - Damascus - Paris Air Race. I-CUPA was the winner. It was painted red with a green cheatline and the three green rats of the 'Sorci Verdi' flight on the fuselage. Although this airframe was also allocated MM358 and I-CUPA is not worn, these aircraft were nominally civilian. We think the single fasces emblem worn on the fuselage by Fascist Italian planes is not a military, but a state marking. I-CUPA re-registered I-MONI in January 1938 for a three-ship flight to Rio. Photo from: Fondazione Fiera Milano