Franco Bordoni

Franco Bordoni-Bisleri (January 10 1913 in Milano - September 15 1975 near Chiavari) was an italian aviator and racing car driver. [ [http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_bisleri.htm Italian biplane fighter aces] and [http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/LWFWIW/focusLWFWIW.php?db=LWF&db2=b&n=394 Motorsport memorial] ]

Bordoni's grandfather was Felice Bisleri (1851-1921) who had started and owned the family-run maker of the "Ferro-China-Bisleri" amaro (drink). Franco studied at "Collegia San Carlo", became civil pilot (1936) but failed in his efforts to join the Italian Royal Air Force ("Regia Aeronautica"). Instead, he got a military aviation license in 1937. This license allowed Bordoni to fly combat missions in World War II. From 1940, he was first assigned to the Albenga Air Base during the fighting against France and was then assigned to the Italian Air Corps ("Corpo Aereo Italiano") for the Battle of Britain. Bordoni also flew in Libya.

After the war, Bordoni became president of the family's liquour company and was president of theMilano Aeronautico Club. He also continued car racing, becoming one of Europe's leading amateur drivers (especially using
Maserati cars), continuingthe use of a "Robur" logo and slogan (featuring a fighting lion) also used on the liquour bottles.He died in a storm-caused flying accident near Chiavari at age 62, along with his 10-year son and a friend.

Awards

*Medaglia d'Oro al valor Militare (three times during World war II)
*Iron Cross (2nd class).

ee also

* List of Italian fighter aces of World War II
* List of World War II aces from Italy

References