Last month I presented several unit badges & emblems from Italian fighter units. This month I complement those with a selection of badges & emblems found on Italian bombers, torpedo bombers, and transports. I've compiled information on these from several sources, but by no means am I to be considered the last word on the subject. My main difficulty lies in determining whether an emblem is that of the Squadriglia or that of the Gruppo, so i f you have additional information on any of these emblems, please let me know via e-mail.

Chris Banyai-Riepl

235a Squadriglia, 60° Gruppo

This emblem was seen on the fuselage side of a Fiat BR.20 from this unit. It has a diving bird in white, with a red circle behind it. I am unsure as to whether this badge belongs to the 235a Squadriglia or the 60° Gruppo.

9a Squadriglia, 25° Gruppo

Another Fiat BR.20 emblem, this one is also found on the sides of the fuselage. There are at least two variations of this emblem, and probably more (a second example is seen at right). This emblem was often surrounded by a thin white ring as well.

60a Squadriglia, 33° Gruppo

This emblem is seen on the fuselages of Cant Z.1007bis bombers of this unit, around 1941. It features a moon, owl and sign. I am not sure if I have the text right on the sign, or what it translates to. Does anyone out there know?

210a Squadriglia, 50° Gruppo

Another Z.1007bis emblem, this one is somewhat interesting. It appears to be a hat that has had an umbrella and a walking stick stuck through the top of. A British flag is on the front. If this shape looks familiar to anyone, please let me know what it is....

176a Squadriglia RST

This rather simplistic badge is found on the fuselages of 176a Squadriglia's Cant Z.1007bis bombers and features what is likely a devil of some sort giving a salute while asking a question. Unfortunately I cannot make out what the words are, but I definitely can make out the question mark at the end.

256a Squadriglia, 108° Gruppo

Moving on to one of my favorite Italian bombers, this unit badge can be found on the fuselages of SM.84s. Similar in appearance to the SM.79, the SM.84 was almost exclusively a torpedo bomber, which is why this emblem features a bird diving on a ship.

41° Gruppo Autonomo

This unit badge is also found on SM.84s based out of Egeo Maggio in 1941. It features a winged devil complete with pitchfork flying down on some unseen prey. The phrase "Usque Ad Infernos" is written below the figure. Any Latin experts wish to translate that one for me?

218a Squadriglia, 54° Gruppo

Found on another Savoia Marchetti product, this emblem was used on SM.81 transports in North Africa. It features a fox climbing on a moon, with the phrase "Nocte Favente" (sp?) off to the side. I guess I really need to learn Italian....

170a Squadriglia

The Fiat RS.14 was a float plane similar in both layout and mission to the Cant Z.506. This particular emblem is found on the fuselages of 170a Squadriglia RS.14s and features a bomb searching for a ship.

146a Squadriglia R.M.

This simplistic emblem is found on Cant Z.506 float planes and features an observer perched on a broomstick, peering through a telescope. He must be quite skilled in riding that broom, as he doesn't even need to hold on....

147a Squadriglia

Another Cant Z.506 squadron badge, this example features a silhouette of a seahorse with some text above it. Unfortunately the style of the text is a block style that is very hard to make out, but it appears to say "Noli Me Tangere", which translates as "Don't touch me".

171a Squadriglia R.M.

The final emblem presented here is also found on Cant Z.506s and features a stork flying across a shield inscribed with the unit number and the phrase "Amor Addidit".