The team was founded in 1961 and was led at that time by Major Mario Squarcina. The team flew six F-86E Sabres; these aircraft were used as interceptors by the Italian Air Force. In 1962, the team expanded to nine aircraft. The next year, the team changed to the Aeritalia G.91PAN. In 1965, a tenth aircraft was added to the team.
In 1983, the team switched to the Aermacchi MB-339A/PAN, which is still in use today. The low point for the team was the plane crash at Ramstein Air Base on August 28, 1988. Three team members and 67 spectators were killed. Since then the team has recovered from this disaster and gives about 40 demonstrations a year all over the world.
Hello, nice that you take a look in my shop. So my name is Gert Hilbink, living in Coevorden. I have been doing photography since I was 13, inspired by a biology teacher at the then U.L.O. school in Coevorden. Generally I mainly photograph nature but actually.. Read more…