Italian Air Force 100th Anniversary Airshow highlights

A recap of the Manifestazione Aerea del Centenario dell'Aeronautica Militare at Pratica di Mare, just outside Rome, on the 17th-18th June 2023. The event marked 100 years of the Italian Air Force.

Historical highlights included the F-104 Starfighter, FIAT G.91, Sabre, P-38 Lightning, DC-6, P-47 Thunderbolt and CA.3. Modern highlights included solo displays by the Typhoon and C-27J Spartan as well as the acclaimed Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team. The Italian Air Force also staged an Air Parade, featuring over 80 aircraft, representing nearly every type in their inventory.

Video by Adam Landau

[justanotherrider]

I have been to many airshows in Italy during the last 30 years, and this was hands down the best and by large measure, something absolutely unprecedented in scale, quality and overall efforts.
Well not that happens everyday to celebrate one century of activity...but I actually regretted I went only the last day, because I would have come back at least for one day more...even the display on the ground was just stunning with all history of Italian Air Force on display, organized by era since 1930s up to today...staged set of movie quality with planes and pilots, ground crew, barracks, support vehicles, everything historically accurate.
Even the flight schedule was very well organized especially in the morning since 9.30 there was basically something flying every 15 minutes...and not only modern jets but some classics too P51s, Spitfire, P-38, F-86, T-33...and obviously the TF-104...must have been at least 25 years since I saw one flying, and I was still amazed about how distinctive is that J-79 engine howling sound!

[airbusA]

This could be one of the best airshow ever, largest variety with WW1, WW2, Cold War, Current and more aircraft all flying from Bombers to VIP Transport. Amazing!

[UKAviationMovies]

Can't wait to see the footage of the Starfighter. I guess like nearly everyone else I the aviation community! 👍👀

[Andre_]

hey man, there will be a full video of it?