Alfa Romeo and its aircraft engines
06/10/2015
Alfa Romeo- of course, an Italian car manufacturer. However, very few people today know that the Lombard manufacturer also produced aircraft engines, among other things.
In June, around 150 enthusiastic Alfisti celebrated "SIAI Marchetti - cento anni da festeggiare con Alfa Romeo" in Sesto Calende and Malnate.
The focus was on the "Savoia Marchetti SM.79" bomber, which was powered by a 9-star Alfa Romeo engine and was one of the fastest bomber aircraft in the world at its time in the early 1930s.
One of the test pilots at the time was Max Capelli - his son Fausto Capelli organized the anniversary event in his and the bomber's honour.
The impressive demonstration on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Sesto Calende proved that it couldn't be done without smoke: Alfa Romeo's 9-star engine was specially rolled in from the museum, unveiled and ignited by Nicola Romeo's granddaughter Daniela. Infernal engine roars rang out to the delight of the 150 Alfisti, who listened to the noise with rapt attention.
