Mario Stoppani
Mario Stoppani | |
|---|---|
Cross of St. George, both a Silver and a Gold Medal of Aeronautic Valor | |
| Other work | Made 15 first flights and set 41 aviation records |
Mario Stoppani (24 May 1895 – 20 September 1959) was an Italian
Cross of St. George
during World War I.
After the war, after a short spell as an aviation instructor, in 1927 Stoppani began a long career as a test pilot and an extensive career setting aeronautical records. He would continue as a test pilot throughout World War II and beyond. While associated with aeronautical designer
SIAI Marchetti
.
Early life
Mario Stoppani was born in
apprenticed as an auto mechanic at age 15, circa 1910. On 6 November 1913, he enlisted in the Battaglione Aviatori (Aviators' Battalion). In February 1915, he was selected for pilot's training at Pisa.[2]
World War I
In June 1915, Stoppani was posted to an operational unit, 3a Squadriglia. Based at Medeuzza, he flew a Macchi Parasol on reconnaissance patrols. He was awarded a Silver
Medal for Military Valor for his exploits during August through November 1915.[2]
In January 1916, he was seconded to instructor duty at
Malpensa. He stayed there until May, when he was assigned to newly formed 76a Squadriglia, based at La Comina. Flying a Nieuport 11, he scored his first aerial victory on 9 July 1916, sharing it with Luigi Olivari. By 1 December 1916, he had tallied five more, including a shared win with Luigi Olivi. He was recommended for a second Silver Medal for Military Valor in November; that same month he was asked to become a test pilot for Ansaldo.[2]
In January 1917, Stoppani was awarded the Russian
Cross of Saint George, Third Class. In March, he moved to Genoa to begin his duties with Ansaldo by testing the Ansaldo A.1 Balilla and SVA.[3] In June 1917, he finally received his second Silver Medal. Stoppani finished out the war as a test pilot.[2] He scored all of his victories flying in the Nieuport 11
, becoming one of the most successful pilots in the type.
Post World War I
Stoppani made a career of aviation. He became an instructor with
CRDA CANT Z.506.[5]
After World War II, he worked for
Notes
- ^ "Mario Stoppani". www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f Franks et al 1997, p. 161.
- ^ Note: Type of Ansaldo SVA not specified.
- ^ a b Franks 2000, p. 82.
- ^ Nixon, Stuart (1 September 2002). "Moments & Milestones: Ten Most Wanted". Air & Space Magazine. Archived from the original on 2 December 2010.
References
- ISBN 978-1-898697-56-5.
- Franks, Norman. Nieuport Aces of World War 1. Osprey Publishing, 2000. ISBN 978-1-85532-961-4.