The Italian Aerospace Information Web
by Aeromedia - corso Giambone 46/18 - 10135 Torino (Italy)
A Rotary Santa Claus
For the second consecutive Christmas, the Italian Army's 34th Gruppo Squadroni “Toro” celebrated the traditional family day, painting one of its helicopter in a special "Santa Claus" livery. The air unit is based at Venaria, near Turin - one of the more historical airfields in Italy.
Notwithstanding the very foggy day, the Agusta/Bell AB 205, with a large Santa Claus face painted on the nose, landed before the crowd, carrying Christmas presents for the sons and daughters of the personnel based at Venaria. The scheme of the Taurus Constellation, which is both name and symbol of the Squadron, was also painted on both flanks of the helicopter.
Shortly after the joyful event, the helicopter was quickly hosed down to remove the (water) paint and made ready again for resupply missions to a number of Alpine towns isolated by the recent snowfalls.
With regard to Agusta-built “Huey” helicopters, the Turin area has now a preserved AB 204, situated on the roof of the Distaccamento Vigili del Fuoco Grugliasco (Fire Corps Detachment - Grugliasco).
It is a former Italian Navy antisom aircraft which had a second career with the Nucleo Elicotteri Vigili del Fuoco based at Turin/Caselle airport during the 'Nineties. Unfortunately, the helicopter lacks the GE T58-GE3 turboshaft and the most of the avionics, to avoid overloading the roof of the building.
In the picture: Front view of Agusta/Bell AB 205 of 34th Gruppo Squadroni AVES “Toro” with the face of “Babbo Natale” (the Italian Santa Claus) designed by “Maresciallo Pilota” Vanzan. Venaria Airport (Turin - Italy), December 22, 2008. (Aeromedia)
(Aeromedia, December 2008)