The Transoceanic Flights and the Decennial Air Cruise

(1927, 1930-1931, 1933)

Last arrived after the Army and the Navy, the Italian Royal Air Force (1923) jostles to gain national renown, soon becoming one of the most representative ‘icons’ of the Fascist regime, exalted and exploited in order to project a modern, futuristic, forward-looking and positive image of the dictatorship. In the mid 1920’s, the thirst for propagandistic success that Fascism seeks at international level reaches beyond the sport-based value of the transoceanic flights. With Italo Balbo, the regime presents an image of power: the Transoceanic ‘Decennial Air Cruise’ of 1933, the year that celebrates the 10th anniversary of the birth of the Italian Royal Air Force, is an event that brings more than just the Italians jumping to their feet.