JS(CC)39b RAF cover produced to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force and the centeniary of Enzo Ferrari's birth with the common link of the 'Prancing Horse' emblem which appeared on the fuselage of Barracca's WWI aircraft which after his death was given to Enzo Ferrari for good luck. The cover artwork by Tony Theobald depicts the Formula 1 cars of Niki Lauda winning in 1975 in a Ferrari and Michael Schumacher winning for Ferrari in 1997 meanwhile above a Tornado and F-104 Starfighter of the Italian Air Force is shown.

The covers have been flown in a ITAF F-104 Starfighter and bears an Italian stamp and cancellation. The covers have been signed by the two Italian F-104 pilots who flew the covers.

75th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ITALIAN AIR FORCE
and  the CENTENIARY OF ENZO FERRARI’S BIRTH

ITALIAN AIR FORCE - LOCKHEED F-104
The introduction of the F-104G Mach 2, supersonic fighter was one of the most technically challenging moments in the history of the Italian Air Force.  After the initial pilot contingents had been trained in the States, the Italians set up their own training programme at GROSETTO.  The Group structure was changed and operational aircraft were based at CAMERI, GRAZZANISE, GIOIA DEL COLLE and, later, VILLA FRANCA.  The Lockheed F-104 S remains in service with the Italian Air Force, proving itself as a most reliable and effective fighter aircraft.

ITALIAN AIR FORCE - PANAVIA TORNADO
On 19 February 1988, the Italian Parliament agreed to participate in the Panavia Tornado Project along with the United Kingdom and Germany.  The Italian Air Force ordered 100 aircraft, the first of which entered service in August 1982, based at GHEDI.  Growing system complexity necessitated the reorganisation of flying training along operation lines.  In 1990, eight Italian Air Force Tornados were deployed to the Persian Gulf to enforce the United Nations resolutions concerning the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.  For the first time since World War II, Italy was involved in armed conflict.

NIKI LAUDA – FERRARI 312T
Formula 1 World Champion 1975, 77 and 84
Niki Lauda was born in Vienna, Austria on 22 February 1949.  He competed in Formula 1 racing from 1971-85, apart from a short spell when he was recovering from serious burns, following a very bad racing accident.  His Ferrari drives spanned the 1974-77 period;  to date with 15 Grand Prix wins, he has won more races for Ferrari than any other driver.  He was twice World Champion with Ferrari (1975/77) and helped Ferrari to win the Constructors Championship on 3 occasions 1975, 1976 & 1977.  Outside of Ferrari, Niki Lauda was World Champion with McLaren in 1984.  His total number of Grand Prix wins is 25, gained from 171 races.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER – FERRARI F310B
Formula 1 World Champion 1994, 95, 00, 01, 02 and 03
Michael Schumacher was born in Hurth-Harmunhlheim on 3 January 1969.  He joined Formula 1 after a successful start to racing with go-karts, as a youngster.  Having been World Champion twice whilst driving for Benetton, Schumacher was recruited by Ferrari to lift their flagging F-1 performances.  The wins for Ferrari started to become more frequent as the effect of Schumacher’s exceptional driving skills and team motivation became apparent.  Although a fair degree of controversy has surrounded Michael Schumacher’s achievements, he is undoubtedly a most talented driver, often winning races without necessarily having the best machinery.

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