AERONAUTICA NAZIONALE REPUBBLICANA A.N.R.

MACCHI C.205

Cap. Pilota Duilio Sergio Fanali - 155° Gruppo C.T., 51° Stormo

Born in Rome on 21 June 1911, Duilio Sergio Fanali volunteered for service in the Spanish Civil War as a member of the Aviazione Legionaria. In 1940 he was Commander of the 165a Squadriglia, 12° Gruppo, 50° Stormo Assalto at Sorman (Lybia). This unit was equipped with Breda Ba.65s. In 1940 Fanali was appointed CO of 160a Squadriglia of the 12° Gruppo, flying Fiat CR.32. During the period June ‘40 to February ‘41, the 12° Gruppo flew 115 combat missions and 26 armed reconnaissance missions, during which they claimed 3 aircraft destroyed and 3 probables in air combat, 2 on the ground, 64 tank/armoured cars and some hundreds of vehicles. During the same period they lost three 3 pilots as killed in action. The 160a Squadriglia lost seven CR.32s in combat and eight in other accidents. On 11 January, 1942 Fanali was appointed CO of the 155° Gruppo of the 51° Stormo and transferred to Sicily to take part in the attacks against Malta on Macchi C-202. From 30 April 1943 the first Macchi C.205 Veltro were delivered. Fanali's personal aircraft was a Serie I (M.M.9348), serial '155'. On 15 May, the Gruppo was ordered to transfer to Monserrato airfield in, Sardinia. After the Armistice on 8 September 1943, Fanali and his Gruppo joined the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force. Later after the war in the ‘70s, he became Chief of General Staff of the Air Force. Dulio Fanali passed away at Minturno Scauri (LT) on 27 August 1987.


Artwork by Ugo Crisponi
Art. JP-549 size 30x40cm

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