Corpo Forestale Dello Stato
The Corpo Forestale is an agency under the jurisdiction of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. The CFS acts as a park ranger force responsible for protecting Italy's natural resources, the environment, countryside and eco-systems, especially national parks and national forests. It's duties include arresting poachers, investigating environmental violations, safeguarding protected animal species, enforcing endangered species laws, and preventing and fighting wildfires through fifteen regional commands and a fleet of twenty-two fire-fighting aircraft. The CFS is also responsible for civil protection in Italy's mountain areas and for disaster relief.
In November 2006 Jetwash Aviation Photo's made a two day trip to Rome and included in our itinerary was a base visit to the Corpo Forestale at Roma-Urbe. They operate a small but varied fleet of aircraft utilising the Hughes 500, Bell 412 Arapaho, Canadair CL-215 and have recently added the Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane. The main base is at Roma-Urbe, but operate through forty plus regional commands. Bearing in mind that they are rarely if ever seen outside of their native country we were more than happy to take up the offer to photograph some of their aircraft.
The following photographs were all taken at Roma-Urbe on 24th November 2006.
Breda-Nardi have held the license to build and market Hughes Model 300 and 500 helicopters since 1969
Hughes 369HS in the main hanger at Urbe.
The Hughes 369/500 has been operated for a number of years in differing versions and the aircraft are generally used for patrolling the forest areas of Italy, although they can also be used for fire-fighting duties.
The later build NH.500D (seen above) is distinguished externally from earlier models by a T-tail. The powerplant is also different, being an Allison 250-C20B delivering a maximum output of 411 shaft horse power. The increase in power and adoption of the new tail unit have led to a general improvement in structural robustness, particularly of the landing gear, the lower part of the cabin and tail boom, plus, of course, the transmission.
The Corpo Forestale Agusta-Bell AB.412's can carry underslung water-carriers for firefighting duties
The Agusta-Bell 412 utility helicopter is a further development of the Agusta-Bell 212, the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor. Development began in the late 1970's with two Bell 212 being converted into Bell 412 prototypes. An advanced four blade main rotor with a smaller diameter replaced the 212's two blade rotor. The AB.412 model was followed by the AB.412SP Special Performance version featuring a larger fuel capacity, higher take-off weight and more optional seating arrangement. In 1991, the 412HP High Performance variant with improved transmission replaced the SP version in production. The current production version, the AB.412EP Enhanced Performance, is equipped with a dual digital automatic flight control system and is used by the CFS use for transport, fire-fighting and patrol duties.
AB.412EP on the ramp having just returned from a short mission
AB.412EP cockpit
Many thanks to our hosts at Roma-Urbe, particularly Marco & Valentina who escorted us during our tour.