Carlo Lombardi (pilot)
| Carlo Francesco Lombardi | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Francis" |
| Born | 21 January 1897 Genoa, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died |
5 March 1983 (aged 86) Vercelli, Italy |
| Allegiance | Italy |
| Service/branch | Corpo Aeronautico Militare' |
| Years of service | ca 1916-ca 1919 |
| Rank | Tenente |
| Unit | 77a Squadriglia |
| Awards | Three Silver awards of Medal for Military Valor, two Silver Medals for Aeronautical Valor, one Gold Medal for Aeronautical Valor |
| Other work | Founded AVIA (Azionaria Vercellese Industrie Aeronautiche), designed AVIA FL.3 sport aircraft |
Tenente Carlo Francesco Lombardi was a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories. Postwar, he was active in his family's rice refinery, as well as in record breaking flights. He formed the AVIA (Azionaria Vercellese Industrie Aeronautiche) aviation company in 1938.
Carlo Francesco Lombardi was born on 21 January 1897, in Genoa, the Kingdom of Italy. He was nicknamed "Francis", and seemed to prefer that name.
As Italy entered World War I, Lombardi was posted to the Italian Army's 22nd Infantry Regiment as a reserve officer. He transferred to aviation, reporting for schooling at Venaria Reale on 18 May 1916. He trained on Blériots, then qualified on Aviatiks on 31 August 1916. On 6 October 1916, he was rated as a military pilot.
On 1 January 1917, Lombardi reported to Cascina Costa for training on Savoia-Pomilio SP.2s. He did well enough that on 14 February, he was selected as an instructor for the school. On 27 July 1917, he began fighter conversion training on the Nieuport at Malpensa's fighter school. He graduated to gunnery training at San Giusto. On 23 August 1917, he was posted to a fighter squadron, 77a Squadriglia. He flew a Nieuport 17 to a series of five victories during October and November 1917, beginning with a K-Boat flying boat on 26 October. Lombardi was awarded a Silver Medal for Military Valor for these feats. His next exploit was flying extended reconnaissance sorties 100 kilometers into Austro-Hungarian territory; it brought him a second Silver Medal for Military Valor. He used a Spad VII for two more victories in June 1918 that brought him a third award of the Medal.
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