The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)

Resurrection of an Apache

For those who regularly visit the Turin/Aeritalia airport, on May 15 an old acquaintance made a call at this aerodrome. While it was taxiing on the tarmac, the white and sky blue Piper PA-23-160 F Apache F I-NJKJ seemed rather familiar. Thus it was no surprise to discover that this aircraft, in its previous life, was registered as I-MASE and was a stable resident at the Caselle and Aeritalia airports for more than 50 years.

The historic twin-engine aircraft was built in 1959 and registered as N4224P by Graubart Aviation Inc, an operator based at Porter County Airport near Valparaiso in Indiana. On February 6, 1962, this was cancelled from the FAA Registry as the aircraft was exported to Italy. The Apache arrived at Turin/Caselle where, on December 12, 1962, Mr. Giletti registered it as I-MASE. Years later the ownership of the aircraft passed to Mr. Bongioanni and later to the Associazione Piloti Torinesi Il Gabbiano. In 2015 the Apache left Turin and disappeared from trace.

Recently the Apache obtained the new registration I-NJKJ after a demanding restoration as an amateur built aircraft. Many of we "veterans" felt quite emotional at seeing it again at Aeritalia airport after such a long time.

In the picture: Piper PA-23-160 Apache F "experimental" I-NJKJ c/n 23-1720 (former I-MASE) taxiing at Turin/Aeritalia airport on May 15, 2025. (Aeromedia)

(Aeromedia, May 2025)