Cosimo Rennella
Encyclopedia
Sergente Cosimo Rennella Barbatto was an Ecuador
ian World War I flying ace of Italian heritage. He was credited with seven confirmed aerial victories flying for Italian aviation during the war; however, his pioneering aviation activities both before and immediately following the war were probably even more important than his martial career.
military airplanes.
By the time Rennella and his two traveling companions returned to Central America with an airplane, the first flight in Ecuador, which was by Chilean Lieutenant Eduardo Molina Lavín, had taken place in their absence. Rennella's new airplane was a knockoff of a French Nieuport
, built by Navaro and Valgoi of Torino, Italy. On 15 December 1912, having been forbidden to fly across the Isthmus of Panama
by U. S. officials, he flew an unauthorized flight in this plane over Panama City
, leafletting the town with fliers thanking the populace for their support of his flight, in may have been the first aerial pamphlet drop in history.
In the middle of January 1913, he was welcomed home in Ecuador. Once there, he accepted the obligation of returning to Italy for more training while he supervised the manufacture of a Chiribiri
monoplane for his Club sponsors. He brought this plane, dubbed Patria No. I, back to Ecuador.
On 8 October 1913, at Guayaquil
, Cosimo Rennella became the first Ecuadorian citizen to fly in his own nation. A followup exhibition scheduled for the 19th dwindled away amid controversy over potential gate receipts.
. Rennella also had one victory claim that was unconfirmed.
, Venezuela. On February 27, he flew a Hanriot HD.1
fighter at Caracas
. The next day, Rennella flew from Caracas to Maracay
. Continuing his operations through March, he subsequently pioneered inter-urban flights in Venezuela; he also flew at least one airmail flight. He is sometimes mistakenly credited with the first Venezuelan military flight because he used a war surplus fighter for his flights.
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
ian World War I flying ace of Italian heritage. He was credited with seven confirmed aerial victories flying for Italian aviation during the war; however, his pioneering aviation activities both before and immediately following the war were probably even more important than his martial career.
Pre-World War I activities
He was born in Italy, but in 1892, the infant accompanied his family when they emigrated to Ecuador. In 1911, Rennella was so enthralled with aviation that he got a local sportsman's club, the Club Guayas de Tiro Aviacion (Guayas Shooting and Aviation Club), to sponsor his pilot's training; his aim was to be the first flier in Ecuador. The club underwrote Rennella's journey to Pau, France to learn to fly. There the young tyro became a pilot using French BleriotBlériot
Blériot may refer to:* Louis Blériot, a French aviation pioneer* Blériot Aéronautique, an aircraft manufacturer founded by Louis Blériot...
military airplanes.
By the time Rennella and his two traveling companions returned to Central America with an airplane, the first flight in Ecuador, which was by Chilean Lieutenant Eduardo Molina Lavín, had taken place in their absence. Rennella's new airplane was a knockoff of a French Nieuport
Nieuport
Nieuport, later Nieuport-Delage, was a French aeroplane company that primarily built racing aircraft before World War I and fighter aircraft during World War I and between the wars.-Beginnings:...
, built by Navaro and Valgoi of Torino, Italy. On 15 December 1912, having been forbidden to fly across the Isthmus of Panama
Isthmus of Panama
The Isthmus of Panama, also historically known as the Isthmus of Darien, is the narrow strip of land that lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, linking North and South America. It contains the country of Panama and the Panama Canal...
by U. S. officials, he flew an unauthorized flight in this plane over Panama City
Panama City
Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the...
, leafletting the town with fliers thanking the populace for their support of his flight, in may have been the first aerial pamphlet drop in history.
In the middle of January 1913, he was welcomed home in Ecuador. Once there, he accepted the obligation of returning to Italy for more training while he supervised the manufacture of a Chiribiri
Chiribiri
Chiribiri began life as an engineering and automobile manufacturer in Turin in 1910 when the 45 year old Venetian Antonio 'Papa' Chiribiri founded Fabbrica Torinese Velivoli Chiribiri & C., , along with associates Maurizio Ramassotto and the engineer Gaudenzio Verga.Antonio Chiribiri was born...
monoplane for his Club sponsors. He brought this plane, dubbed Patria No. I, back to Ecuador.
On 8 October 1913, at Guayaquil
Guayaquil
Guayaquil , officially Santiago de Guayaquil , is the largest and the most populous city in Ecuador,with about 2.3 million inhabitants in the city and nearly 3.1 million in the metropolitan area, as well as that nation's main port...
, Cosimo Rennella became the first Ecuadorian citizen to fly in his own nation. A followup exhibition scheduled for the 19th dwindled away amid controversy over potential gate receipts.
World War I
Rennella returned to Italy to serve in Italian aviation during World War I. Between 24 September 1917 and 31 August 1918, he flew with Squadriglia 78a of the Corpo Aeronautico Militare, scoring six confirmed solo aerial victories, plus one shared with fellow ace Antonio RivaAntonio Riva
Capitano Antonio Riva, was an Italian pilot and a World War I flying ace, credited with seven confirmed and seven unconfirmed aerial victories.-World War I service:...
. Rennella also had one victory claim that was unconfirmed.
Post World War I
In February 1920, Rennella was involved in a local business enterprise at La GuairaLa Guaira
La Guaira is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of Vargas and the country's chief port. It was founded in 1577 as an outlet for Caracas, to the southeast. The town and the port were badly damaged during the December 1999 floods and mudslides that affected much of the region...
, Venezuela. On February 27, he flew a Hanriot HD.1
Hanriot HD.1
|-References:* Bruce, J.M. The Hanriot HD 1 Leatherhead: Profile Publications* Cheesman E.F. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War Letchworth, Harletford Publications, 1960 pp. 82-83- External links :*...
fighter at Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
. The next day, Rennella flew from Caracas to Maracay
Maracay
Maracay is a city in north-central Venezuela, near the Caribbean coast, and is the capital and most important city of the state of Aragua. Most of it falls under the jurisdiction of the Girardot Municipality. The population as per the 2001 census was 750,000...
. Continuing his operations through March, he subsequently pioneered inter-urban flights in Venezuela; he also flew at least one airmail flight. He is sometimes mistakenly credited with the first Venezuelan military flight because he used a war surplus fighter for his flights.