SPAD S-XIII I-GIAG - Marco Polo Airport - Venice, Italy
Posted by: 
jiggs11
N 45° 30.280 E 012° 20.529
33T E 292369 N 5042451
Full-scale replica of SPAD S-XIII flown by Major Francesco Baracca, Italy's greatest ace in World War I.
Waymark Code: WMX16R
Location: Veneto, Italy
Date Posted: 11/11/2017
Views: 5
The replica of the Spad S-XIII, current registration I-GIAG, is in recognition of Major Francesco Baracca, Italy's greatest ace during the First World War, when Italy fought on the side of the Allies against the German and Austro-Hungarian Axis.
The aircraft is a derivative of the highly regarded SPAD VII. It first entered Allied service in 1917, with a total of just under 8,300 being built. Another 10,000 were on order when the Armistice was signed in 1918. This aircraft had original registration S1445.
The aircraft on display bears the Markings of Francesco Baracca. At the time of his death in 1918 he had amassed 34 confirmed air combat kills of Austro-Hungarian aircraft, making him Italy's highest Ace.
The black prancing horse on the fuselage is in tribute to his background as a cavalry officer. That horse emblem was presented by his mother to Enzo Ferrari in 1929. Since then, the symbol has adorned Ferrari vehicles.
At the time of his death in 1918 he had amassed 34 confirmed air combat kills of Austro-Hungarian aircraft, making him Italy's highest Ace.
The SPAD XIII was built as a precursor to the 100 year anniversary of the Great War.
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): SPAD S-XIII
Tail Number: (S/N): I-GIAG (S-2445)
Construction:: replica
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Marco Polo International Airport
inside / outside: inside
Access restrictions:
Inside the Departures Area. Best view is from second level.
Other Information:: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.