A model glider sitting on a closely mown grass field. It is made of a wood framework and is covered in completely clear film. The aircraft is oriented so that its nose is pointing at the bottom left corner of the frame. The camera position would be such that the photographer seems to be kneeling. The aircraft is of conventional configuration, and its clear skin reveals some of the mechanical components located within the fuselage forward of the wing. Note: in order to obtain the correct aspect ratio required for publication, the image has been retouched and modified to add some extra border area and also to show the entire wing. (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi)
The Aeropiccola Albatross. (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi)
La Dolce Vita
I dream of living in a place where olives and lemons grow.
By Terence C. Gannon

That, and my frequent soliloquising that if I could do my life over again, I would come back Italian means all things Italiano instantly catch my eye and strike my fancy. However, many of them are apparently made of unobtanium, and thus remain tantalisingly out of reach. But I stand by my statement that if I win the Lotto Max — it’s $50M this weekend!— before the sun sets over the Dolomites, I am going to buy a Riva Aquarama, a couple of Vespas, and a Ferrari California. These accoutrements and a summer place on Lake Como to keep them all.

An elegant, wooden speedboat travels at considerable speed over sun-speckled waters. The predominant colour of the boat is 'mahogany' with teal-green trim. Two people are seated in the aft passenger compartment. The person driving the boat is located forward of them, on the left side of the boat where the steering wheel is located. The boat is moving from left to right in the frame and is seemingly photographed from an elevated position, as would be the case if it were from a helicopter. (📸 Riva Yacht) A group of five pale blue Vespa motor scooters are pictured while parked at the curb of what appear to be an Italian street. Each of the Vespa's is accompanied by an attractive young woman and man. The women are all wearing the same dress featuring horizontal, light brown stripes. They are all carrying the same basket-like handbag and are wearing the same scarf to tie their long blonde hair. The men are all wearing the same t-shirt with horizontal blue stripes and are also wearing light brown shorts. A busy street crowded with cars is visible in the background. Original caption from source: « men and women near motorcycles … Sardinia, Italy … Published on October 11, 2019 … Free to use under the Unsplash License ». (📸 Ante Hamersmit | Unsplash) A 'Ferrari Red' Ferrari California is parked on a cobbled street. A building made of light-coloured stone is visible in the background. The car is oriented so the front is pointing toward the right side of the frame. The yellow Scuderia Ferrari shield appears on the fender just aft of the right front wheel. The license plate is just visible, with the letters « A 57 ». Original caption from source: « Ferrari California in a street of Paris. » (📸 Jebulon | Wikimedia | public domain)
Riva (📸 Riva Yacht) | Vespa (📸 Ante Hamersmit/Unsplash) | Ferrari (📸 Jebulon/Wikimedia)

Darling, Amal and George want to know if we want to pop ‘round for a quick Prosecco before dinner … what shall I say? Are we — you know — busy? And with that, the never-going-to-happen-daydream bubble bursts. Instead, I’ll just have to tuck into this bowl of spaghetti alla puttanesca — extra olives and a squeeze of lemon, please. Which, if you have ever tasted when prepared well, is almost as good as all of the above.

Then a few weeks back, my friend Paolo Rossi sent along a photo of a classic Italian veleggiatore design from 1949 — the Albatross from Aeropiccola of Torino. And there it was. My winter project had pretty much picked itself. No, it wasn’t a Riva, a Vespa, or a Ferrari, but to my eye, the Albatross, which appeared as if in a dream sequence from a Fellini movie, perfectly captured the spirit of mid-century La Dolce Vita with its elegant, streamlined, arching, and diaphanous form. To say I was smitten is like saying Pavarotti sure could carry a tune. I simply had to have an Albatross, and the price of balsa notwithstanding, it was almost guaranteed to cost a whole lot less than the Riva, the Vespas, or the Ferrari.

Turns out that Paolo’s club, the Gruppo Aeromodellistico Falchi Bergamo Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica, had a club build of Albatrosses which produced many fine examples right here in the 21st century.

A middle-aged man with a grey moustache holds a radio-controlled model glider in his right hand while posing and smiling for the camera. The framework for the glider is clearly visible through its transparent skin. He holds in his right hand the transmitter, used to control the aircraft while in flight. He is wearing a blue jacket of light construction and is also wearing jeans and a blue hat. He is standing on what appears to be a closely mown green field. Rolling hills are visible in the background. The subject of the photo is casting a sharp, dark shadow, indicating that the sun is shining. Original caption from source: « Gruppo Falchi members who participated in the club build of the Aeropiccola Albatross. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi) A middle-aged man with thinning, grey, curly hair holds a radio-controlled model glider while posing and smiling for the camera. The wing is slightly translucent white, and the fuselage of the glider is blue. He is wearing a red, open-collar shirt and jeans. He is also wearing sunglasses. He is standing on a sloping field with longish, yellow grass. Rolling hills of varying gold and green sections are visible in the background. The subject of the photo is casting a sharp, dark shadow, indicating that the sun is shining. Original caption from source: « Gruppo Falchi members who participated in the club build of the Aeropiccola Albatross. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi) An older man holds a radio-controlled model glider while posing and smiling for the camera. The wing is slightly translucent white, and the fuselage of the glider is red. He is wearing a blue, open-collar shirt and jeans. He is also wearing prescription glasses. He is standing on a sloping field with longish, yellow grass. Rolling hills of varying gold and green sections are visible in the background. The subject of the photo is casting a sharp, dark shadow, indicating that the sun is shining. Original caption from source: « Gruppo Falchi members who participated in the club build of the Aeropiccola Albatross. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi)
Two middle-aged men prepare a radio-controlled model glider for launch on a towline. One of the men is holding the glider aloft, as if to launch it, and the second man stands to the left in the frame and is holding the transmitter used to control the aircraft while it is in flight. Once launched, it appears as though the aircraft will be flying upwards, toward and slightly to the left of the camera position. The wing is slightly translucent white, and the fuselage of the glider is red. Both men are wearing a blue, open-collar shirt and jeans. The man holding the glider is looking at the man with the transmitter, and they appear to be engaged in a conversation. They are standing on a field of mown grass adjacent to an area with longer grass. A line of trees is visible in the background. The subjects of the photo are casting an indistinct shadow, indicating an overcast day. Original caption from source: « Gruppo Falchi members who participated in the club build of the Aeropiccola Albatross. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi) The official logo of the Gruppo Aeromodellistico Falchi Bergamo Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica placed on a white background. The most prominent feature of the logo is a medium blue circle with a drawing of a descending falcon with its talons extended, as if it were lining up its prey. Arranged around the outside of the circle are the words « Gruppo Aeromodellistico Bergamo | Falchi | since 1965 ». Above the circle is a small, curved element containing the colours of the green, white, and red of the Italian flag. The blue circle is surrounded by gold leaves reminiscent of a laurel crown. At the bottom of the circle is the single word « 1965 ». (📸 Gruppo Aeromodellistico Falchi Bergamo Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica) A middle-aged man holds a radio-controlled model glider to his right while posing and smiling for the camera. The wing is slightly translucent white, and the fuselage of the glider is red. The word « Albatross » is written in black script on the left wing. The words « FAI — 1481 » are written on the right wing in a similar script. He is wearing a cream-coloured sweater and jeans. He is also wearing a medium blue baseball hat with a light blue round logo. He is standing in a field of long, green grass which is adjacent to a closely mown strip. A line of trees and a building are visible in the middle distance. Beyond this, rolling hills can be seen in the far distance. The subject of the photo is casting a fairly sharp, dark shadow, indicating that the sun is shining although there is a cloudy sky visible in the photo. Original caption from source: « Gruppo Falchi members who participated in the club build of the Aeropiccola Albatross. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi)
A man of indeterminate age kneels next to a radio-controlled model glider, on the ground to his right, and has his back to the camera. The wing is slightly translucent white, and the fuselage of the glider is red. The word « Albatross » is written in black script on the left wing. The words « FAI — 1481 » are written on the right wing in a similar script. He is wearing a blue golf shirt and jeans. He is also wearing a medium blue baseball hat. There is a small yellow box with red writing adjacent to the glider, which might contain parts and pieces related to the work being done on the glider. Original caption from source: « Gruppo Falchi members who participated in the club build of the Aeropiccola Albatross. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi) An older man holds a radio-controlled model glider to his right while posing and smiling for the camera. The wing is mostly slightly translucent white, and the fuselage of the glider is gold, as are the adjacent wing roots. He is wearing a blue argyll sweater and jeans. He is also wearing sunglasses. He is standing in a field of closely mown grass with a white dotted line, similar to what would be found on a road or runway, running fore and aft in the photo. There are smaller white markers at the edge of the mown strip, in lines parallel to the main line down the centre of the mown strip. A line of trees is visible in the middle distance. Beyond this, rolling hills can be seen in the far distance. The subject of the photo is casting a fairly sharp, dark shadow, indicating that the sun is shining, although. The sky above is clear blue dotted with a few puffy clouds. Original caption from source: « Gruppo Falchi members who participated in the club build of the Aeropiccola Albatross. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi) Two middle-aged men prepare a radio-controlled model glider for launch on a towline. One of the men is holding the glider aloft, as if to launch it, and the second man stands to the right in the frame with his back to the camera. Once launched, it appears as though the aircraft will be flying upwards, toward and slightly to the left of the camera position. The wing is slightly translucent white, and the fuselage of the glider is red. Both men are wearing a blue, open-collar shirt and jeans. They are standing on a field of mown grass adjacent to an area with longer grass. A line of trees is visible in the background. The subjects of the photo are casting an indistinct shadow, indicating an overcast day. Original caption from source: « Gruppo Falchi members who participated in the club build of the Aeropiccola Albatross. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi)
A man of indeterminate age kneels next to a radio-controlled model glider, on the ground to his right, and has his back to the camera. The wing is slightly translucent white, and the fuselage of the glider is red. The word « Albatross » is written in black script on the left wing. The words « FAI — 1481 » are written on the right wing in a similar script. He is wearing a blue golf shirt and jeans. He is also wearing a medium blue baseball hat. There is a small yellow box with red writing adjacent to the glider, which might contain parts and pieces related to the work being done on the glider. Original caption from source: « Gruppo Falchi members who participated in the club build of the Aeropiccola Albatross. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi) An older man holds a radio-controlled model glider to his right while posing and smiling for the camera. The wing is mostly slightly translucent white, and the fuselage of the glider is gold, as are the adjacent wing roots. He is wearing a blue argyll sweater and jeans. He is also wearing sunglasses. He is standing in a field of closely mown grass with a white dotted line, similar to what would be found on a road or runway, running fore and aft in the photo. There are smaller white markers at the edge of the mown strip, in lines parallel to the main line down the centre of the mown strip. A line of trees is visible in the middle distance. Beyond this, rolling hills can be seen in the far distance. The subject of the photo is casting a fairly sharp, dark shadow, indicating that the sun is shining, although. The sky above is clear blue dotted with a few puffy clouds. Original caption from source: « Gruppo Falchi members who participated in the club build of the Aeropiccola Albatross. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi) Two middle-aged men prepare a radio-controlled model glider for launch on a towline. One of the men is holding the glider aloft, as if to launch it, and the second man stands to the right in the frame with his back to the camera. Once launched, it appears as though the aircraft will be flying upwards, toward and slightly to the left of the camera position. The wing is slightly translucent white, and the fuselage of the glider is red. Both men are wearing a blue, open-collar shirt and jeans. They are standing on a field of mown grass adjacent to an area with longer grass. A line of trees is visible in the background. The subjects of the photo are casting an indistinct shadow, indicating an overcast day. Original caption from source: « Gruppo Falchi members who participated in the club build of the Aeropiccola Albatross. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi)
Gruppo Falchi members who participated in the club build of the Aeropiccola Albatross. Paolo Rossi is pictured top left. (📸 Paolo Rossi)

The Gruppo Falchi’s build was aided greatly by a run of short kits which were produced with the aid of a DXF file prepared by club member Mr. Roberto Viti. From that, the various parts can be laser cut.

Also, for those who are really into authenticity and period memorabilia like I am, the club website1 also has some great background material on the Albatross including the original article from the January 1950 issue of Modellismo magazine (just twenty-nine centesimi!)

A montage of three images on a neutral grey background: on the left is the cover of a magazine with the « MODELLISMO » in yellow letters in a red, enclosing box. Other than the title, the predominant image, an artist's rendering in colour, is that of a square-rigged sailing ship on a turbulent sea. There are also seagulls flying in proximity to the ship. Below the magazine cover is a page from the magazine. The type is too small to read other than the title of the article « ALBATROS » — notably with one « S » — above the illegible text of the article. To the left of the article's text is a half-page advertisement for a single-cyliner, model aircraft engine with the name « Super Tigre » written in script in the advertisement. To the right of these two images are the original plans for the glider, showing a top view of the right wing, the swept, horizontal stabiliser as well as side and top views of the fuselage. In the top right corner of the plan is the word « Albatross » written in script. In small letters just above this are the words « AEROMODELLO VELEGGIATORE ». Various other annotation appear on the plan. Original caption from source: « The original article on the Albatross from 1950. » (📸 Modellismo artefacts montaged by BluFly Media)
The original article on the Albatross from 1950. (📸 Modellismo artefacts montaged by BluFly Media)

Also on their website are copious construction notes — in Italian, of course, but with the aid of Google Translate I figure I will have no problem and nothing of significance will be lost in translation. Paolo also kindly sent along some additional photos of what I’m sure is a deceptively simple-looking project.

The framework of a model glider as it is being built. Nearest the camera is the framework for the horizontal stabiliser, which has a pleasing aftward sweep and taper from its root to its tips. Further away from the camera is the framework for the fuselage, which is running left and right in the frame. Beyond the fuselage is an array of wooden sticks seemingly used in the construction. A single wing rib is also visible. All of these elements are placed on a detailed, full-size plan for the glider. Original caption from source: « The Albatross in various stages of construction. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi) The framework of a model glider as it is being built. Nearest the camera is the framework for the horizontal stabiliser, which has a pleasing aftward sweep and taper from its root to its tips. To the right of the horizontal stabiliser is the framework for the fuselage, which is running toward and to the right of the camera position. The wing spar has been located in the fuselage in its final position, albeit only temporarily pending the rest of the wing construction. To the right of the fuselage is an array of wooden sticks seemingly used in the construction. All of these elements are placed on a detailed, full-size plan for the glider, which, in turn, is on a wooden workbench. There is a cane-covered chair to the left of the table. A tile floor and other workshop miscellany are also visible. Original caption from source: « The Albatross in various stages of construction. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi)
The wing of a model glider while under construction. It is located on a full-size plan over which it is being built. The pleasingly rounded tip is to the left of the frame, and the root of the wing to the right. At this juncture, only the spar and ribs for the left wing have been assembled. The only other notable artefact in the picture are three small wood files. Original caption from source: « The Albatross in various stages of construction. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi) The seemingly complete framework for a model glider. It is not yet covered, so the full detail of the internal structure is clearly visible. The glider is resting on a small foam box, which in turn is resting on a wooden table. The aircraft is pointing away from the camera and to the right in the frame. The wing tips are pleasingly rounded, and the horizontal stabiliser tapers from root to tip. The vertical stabiliser is rounded in a manner that echoes the curves of the wing. The fuselage is constructed with formers oriented laterally, combined with thin stringers running fore and aft. Various shop tools and fixtures are also visible in the frame, as is another workbench and a chest of drawers beyond the workbench on which the glider is resting. Original caption from source: « The Albatross in various stages of construction. » (📸 Paulo Rossi | Gruppo Falchi)
The Albatross in various stages of construction. (📸 Paolo Rossi)

Signor Rossi also mentioned that the DXF file which would be the feedstock for a laser cutting process is still available and he would try and send it along when I was ready for it. Alas, the short kits are no longer available, though.

A montage of two images on a neutral grey background: the larger of the two is on the left of the frame and it's a black and white image of the original plans for a model glider. In the top left is a title block with the words « AEROPICCOLA ¶ TORINO ¶ AEROMODELLO VELEGGIATORE ¶ ALBATROSS ». Below the title block is a line drawing of the glider in flight. The rest of the plans illustrate various assembled components of the framework of the glider, such as the horizontal stabiliser, wing, fuselage, along with detailed drawings for the individual parts used in construction. All are presented in enough detail to facilitate fabrication of the model aircraft. The small image is to the right and it's roughly the same image, also in black and white, but seemingly drawn recently and with modern equipment. The title block, in this case at the bottom left, also has the word « ALBATROSS ». Original caption from source: « The original Albatross plans from Aeropiccola on the left, and the beautiful new drawings by Roberto Viti from which a DXF can be generated for laser cutting of the parts. » (📸 Aeropiccola and Roberto Viti artefacts montaged by BluFly Media)
The original Albatross plans from Aeropiccola on the left, and the beautiful new drawings by Roberto Viti from which a DXF can be generated for laser cutting of the parts. (📸 Aeropiccola and Roberto Viti artefacts montaged by BluFly Media)

So that’s it — my winter building plans are set. It’s almost (but not quite) as if I were wishing the 30C summer temperatures would wane in favour of chilly autumn evenings, so I can get started.2

Viva Italia!  🛩️ 🌲

1Very roughly translated (by Google Translate) to Bergamo Falchi Aeromodelling Group Amateur Sports Association, the web page of which has lots more information about the group in general and the Albatross in particular.

2If you're curious as to what the Albatross looks like in flight, there's a short video compilation of the first flight of Paolo Rossi’s aircraft.

***

Have any thoughts or questions on this story? Terence would love to hear from you. Also, you can click or tap any photo in this article for a high-resolution version along with a caption, if available. La Dolce Vita was first published in The New RC Soaring Digest in August 2022.

To the right, an image of a pristine De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver is parked on the grass ramp adjacent to the sole, north-south runway at Wakonda Beach State Airport near Waldport, Oregon. This photograph was taken in September of 2016. The aircraft is white and forest green separated by a yellow stripe. The aircraft is photographed from the front and to its left, cropped to just aft of the second set of cabin windows. The ramp area on the runway beyond is short brown grass. In the background is a vivid evergreen forest lining the ramp area. The sky above is gin-clear blue. Based on the sharp, dark shadows being cast, it appears to be a bright, sunny day. To the right are the words « Proudly presented by: ¶ AVERGREEN ¶ Dedicated to restoring, preserving, promoting, and distributing the best legacy aviation literature. » (📸 Terence C. Gannon)