Shoes, Flying, Summer, Regia Aeronautica, Felice Figus

Regia Aeronautica summer flying shoes worn by Felice Figus; low quarter shoes with white cotton uppers and rubber soles; cotton ties with six nickel-plated steel eyelets.

These are an example of a light weight summer or warm environment flying shoes issued to pilots and aircrews of the Regia Aeronautica during World War II.

These shoes were worn in combat by 2nd Lt. Felice Figus of the 53rd Stormo. He received his first pilot's license at Elmas airport in Sardinia (currently the largest airport in Sardinia). Lt. Figus was a front line fighter pilot and saw extensive service in the North African campaign, the fight for Malta, spent 6 months on the Eastern front, flew during the Sicily campaign, and in Caselle Torinese (Turin Region) in 1943. Following his service during World War II, he continued his flying career becoming an airline captain from 1947 to 1952 working for Linee Aeree Italiane (LAI). LAI was a joint venture between TWA and the newly formed Italian government in 1947. In 1952 Figus joined Alitalia and became the chief pilot with the Italian flag carrier. During his flying career, Capt. Figus amassed over 28,000 flying hours.