Help air force buffs! UFO spotted over ROME!

Yesterday (that's Aug 28) around 1830 B I spotted a medium-sized aircraft flying at low altitude over Rome (that's in Italy, that's in Europe). It had the rough appearance of a Ju 52, which amazed me.

The wind was pretty strong and coming from right behind it, this prevented me from hearing the characteristic sound of a Ju 52, also it seemed to be going a trifle faster than the old Jus go in my experience. So I'm stuck with a mystery.

Does anybody know if there is still a working version of an SM.79 or an SM.82 (?) left around? Or was this a Ju 52 on a goodwill trip?

 

I'm guessing here - but the Swiss still operate at least two. Could it have been one of these ?

 

Andreas,

Ju Air operate 4 Ju52's on sightseeing tours and charter flights throughout Europe. They operate out of Duebendorf Aviation Museum based at that Swiss Airforce base.

Lufthansa also operates 1 Ju52 in it's Historic Flight which also does sightseeing tours and charters.

Most likely it was one of Ju Air's planes. i haven't seen any references to Italian warbirds like the Sm79 being around (at least in flying condition).

I envy you being in Europe, out here in Down Under land we don't get to see much in the way of classic warbirds.

 

The Lufthansa one has spent some time in England this summer and has been allowed to fly over London - much to the mirth of the 'popular press'.

Sniper - I guess you need to get over to Wanaka ?

 

Those two are still in operation.

 

Thats cool that they are still in operation.

Also, Congrats PzJgr on you new award

 

Funnily enough - saw my own 'UFO' yesterday while walking in the Oxfordshire countryside.
Big black US jet, flying very low and slow right overhead, airbrakes deployed - sinister ! Had binoculars with me - great view !

Checked it out when I got home - it was a U2.
Sure, not WWII - interesting nonetheless.

 

Definetlry not a Ju52-only ones left are still kitted in their original garb.

 

Planning on a very long European invasion of my own in a couple of years (when I get some money together), and I hope to see a few UFO's of my own.

Last time I was in the UK, years ago, a couple of A10's were using my hire car for dummy ground attack runs. All in good fun, waggled their wings as I waved them goodbye.

 

Fielen Danke mein Fruend.

[ 30 August 2002, 11:25 AM: Message edited by: PzJgr ]

 

Quite welkommen mein kamerad.

 

Nice to hear that!

I thought Lufthansa stilled used a few in the 1980s. I have seen pics of some carrying passengers in good colour pics. Am I wrong?

 

Thanks for your replies. I guess it must have been one of the Swiss Ju 52s. I believed it wasn't one because I am very familiar with Ju 52s. One is based at an airport about ten miles from my home and flies around every couple of days. I've no idea who uses that one.

Sniper: All A-10 pilots are completely crazy. They seem to do whatever seems to strike them as a fun thing to do. Also the word "safety regulation" seems to be one not found in their vocabulary.

??? And I seem to use the word "seems" ver frequently, seemingly...

[ 03 September 2002, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: Andreas Seidel ]

 

You can say that again.

guess they were just lucky I didn't have a stinger missile in the boot !!