Antonio Lippi

Antonio Lippi (9 October 1900 – 2 February 1957) was an Italian aviator. He participated in the transatlantic flight organized by Italo Balbo and was awarded the Gold Medal of Aeronautic Valor of the Regia Aeronautica.

Lippi was born in Torremaggiore, a small town in the south of Italy on October 9, 1900, to a wealthy landowning family.

He had a passion for flying since he was a child. As a young adult, he decided not to follow his family's wishes but his own passion. He started his career by enrolling in the military for officials of the Regia Marina. — Montreal ending on Lake Michigan near Burnham Park and New York City. In honor of this feat, Mussolini donated a column from Ostia to the city of Chicago, known as the Balbo Monument. I t can still be seen along the Lakefront Trail, a little south of Soldier Field. Chicago administration renamed the former 7th Street in Balbo Drive and staged a great parade in his honor. The Newfoundland Post Office overprinted a 75-cent airmail stamps, that has just been issued a few weeks previously, for the event.

From Chicago they flew to New York City with an escort of 36 U.S. airplanes. New York's population gave a crowded welcome to the pilots on Broadway. Millions of people acclaimed the parade of dozens cars escorted by police horses throughout the streets on Manhattan.

His plane (Savoia-Marchetti S.55X) during the aircruise was marked as "I-LIPP" under the wings and on tail.

For that reason Antonio was honored with the Medaglia d'Oro to Aeronautic Valor and with a promotion to Maggiore rank.

Career and family

Lippi took part in the famous group of high speed aviators called "Sorci Verdi" and in 1937 raced the flight competition Istres–Damascus–Paris Air Race. His Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 (Competizione Sportiva version) was marked as I-LICA. In the Damascus point he had an accident during the takeoff: hit a hole in the semi prepared strip and destroyed his undercarriage and could not continue. Despite everything he managed to maintain the control of the airplane. For that occasion was awarded with Medaglia d'Argento al Valore Militare. His team won the competition reaching the first, second and third position.

His pilot skills brought him to Stormo Aerosiluranti, the main Regia Aeronautica flight storm.

In 1940 he married Amalia Stingone with whom he had three sons: (1941) Nicola, (1943) Alfonso (1946) Lorenzo and settled his home in Rome.

In 1943 he became Capo di Stato Maggiore nel Comando SAS and in 1944 in chief of comando raggruppamento bombardieri e trasporti.

After World War II

After the World War II was integrated into the new air force of the new Repubblica Italiana: Aeronautica Militare.

In 1947 he took command of Direzione Generale Armi e Munizioni and became the Inspector General of the Air Force.

For his human grace and his aviator skills he was honored with Generale di Divisione Aerea.

He died in Palermo on February 2, 1957 and was proclaimed official day of mourning.

At Museo storico dell'Aeronautica in Bracciano there is a section focused on the Crociera del Decennale where are conserved some historical photos and models.

You can order a model of the Savoia-Marchetti S.55X with the I-LIPP mark on it.

On April 29, 2017, on the 60th anniversary of his passing, his life was celebrated with a personal exhibition at Museo Civico di Torremaggiore with models of seaplanes, historical photos, antiquities.