Leonardo da Vinci Museum: An aeronautical heaven in Milan

Leonardo da Vinci Museum: An aeronautical heaven in Milan

Embark on a captivating journey through one of Milan’s most iconic cultural spaces, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum. This venue is more than just a museum; it’s a bridge linking the past with the future, where science and art converge, and a special emphasis is placed on aviation.

As many might not know, Leonardo da Vinci was the pioneer in studying bird anatomy and conceptualizing designs to mimic their movement, inadvertently laying the groundwork for the grand venture of aviation.

Stay with us in this article, and discover one of the best aircraft exhibitions in the world!

Contents

Leonardo da Vinci Museum’s historical and geographical context
- Exhibitions and collections
Aviation and beyond
Leonardo da Vinci museum: More than a tourist destination

Leonardo da Vinci Museum’s historical and geographical context

Opened in 1953, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum quickly became a pivotal educational and cultural landmark.

Its foundation was inspired by the desire to preserve and disseminate the scientific and technological legacy of not only Leonardo da Vinci but also the trailblazers that followed.

The museum is situated in the historic San Vittore al Corpo Monastery in Milan, merging Renaissance architecture with contemporary museum amenities.

Strategically found in an easily accessible area of Milan and close to other tourist attractions, the museum stands at the intersection of history, science, and art, integral components of the city’s identity. It’s located at Via San Vittore 21, 20123 Milan, Italy, a key detail for anyone planning a visit.

Exhibitions and collections

The museum dedicates a significant section to Leonardo da Vinci, displaying replicas of his inventions and sketches. Visitors can closely observe how this Renaissance master envisioned the world and its technology. On display are a variety of models based on his designs, from flying machines to mechanical contrivances.

Aviation and beyond

An impressive section of the museum is devoted to aviation, showcasing the evolution of this technology from its nascent stages to modern jet-powered aircraft. It features historical models and replicas rooted in Leonardo’s designs and real aircraft that have marked significant milestones in aviation history.

In addition to aviation, the museum offers a wide range of thematic exhibitions, from energy and physics to chemistry and biology. Each section is designed to be interactive and educational, providing enriching experiences for visitors of all ages.

Breda 15 y De Havilland DH 80 Pussmoth

SAI Ambrosini Super

Macchi Nieuport Ni 10

Introduced in Italy in 1916 and reproduced under licence by Macchi (then called Nieuport Macchi), the French aeroplane Ni 10 (better known as Ni 18 mg) was the first Italian fighter plane to actually enter into combat; it was a “scout” plane, in other words a fast observer plane. Its use as a fighter was a makeshift solution due to the need to combat enemy air raids and the first fighter planes that the enemy had launched against our aeroplanes.

Indeed, the first two-seater models were not armed, and both the defence and attack was left exclusively to the crew’s individual artillery; later, the Ni 18 mg was also provided with defensive weaponry. Towards the end of 1915 the plane equipped the 1St Squadron of fighters, based at Aviano and a detached unit at Campoformido.

Length: 7.01 meters
Height: 2.85 meters
Empty weight: 440 kg
Maximum speed: 140 km/h
Range: 300 km
Endurance: 2hours 30 minutes
Service ceiling: 4.000 meters
Time to altitude: 15 minutes 30 seconds

Bleriot XI

This iconic French monoplane gained fame for its 1909 Channel crossing. It played a critical role in WWI and significantly influenced Italian military aviation. It was used by Louis Blèriot to make the first flight across the English channel, on 1909.

Length: 7.62 meters
Height: 2.69 meters
Empty weight: 230 kg
Maximum speed: 75.6 km/h
Service ceiling: 1.000 meters

Breda BA 15

Designed in 1929, this was a response to a Royal Italian Air Force tender for a training aircraft. Its design, while not winning the tender, gained popularity for its flight qualities and ease of handling.

Length: 7 meters
Height: 2.25 meters
Empty weight: 770 kg
Maximum speed: 200 km/h
Endurance: 6 hours
Service ceiling: 4.000 meters

De Havilland DH 80 Puss Moth

From 1930 to 1933 the English firm De Havilland Aircraft Company produced 260 monoplanes like this one, named Puss Moth.
They are among the first aircrafts used by private pilots and no longer exclusively intended for military use.

At the end of the 1920s, the number of amateurs encouraged aeronautical companies to open up to a new marketplace: civil aviation. Their wealthy clients requested vehicles to be more comfortable, manageable and stylish. The Puss Moth has a closed cabin and it can take off from a small 300 meter-long lawn. It can also fold its wings to fit into a garage, just like a moth, hence its name.

Length: 7 meters
Height: 2.25 meters
Empty weight: 770 kg
Maximum speed: 200 km/h
Endurance: 6 hours
Service ceiling: 4.000 meters

Magni P.M 3/4 Vale

This is an italian civil monoplane used as an acrobatic trainer. It was designed by Piero Magni-Aviazione. He was a First World War pilot, and in 1919 had already obtained the first patent for a monoplane with load bearing struts and aerodynamic brakes; these features then became widely used as standard.

- In 1924 he built the PM1 Vittoria and the PM2 Vittoria in the Costruzioni Aeronautiche workshop in Meda that he founded; these planes were fitted with the “minimum penetration cowling” which then became widely known as the “NACA cowling”.
- In 1934 Magni built the PM 3/1 “Vale” in the new factory in Taliedo; this was followed in 1937 by the PM ¾ “Vale”, which he donated to the Museum.

General characteristics:

Length: 5.5 meters
Height: 2.02 meters
Empty weight: 540 kg
Maximum speed: 250 km/h
Range: 1.000 km
Service ceiling: 7.000 meters

By Threecharlie - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, on Wikimedia Commons

FIAT G.91 R

The G.91 was the first jet of Italian design and build. It won of the competition organized by NATO in 1954 to equip the countries of the Alliance with light tactical fighters.
During the Cold War, the two opposed blocks needed to control the air space and developed projects in the aeronautical field.
The proposal of engineer Giuseppe Gabrielli for FIAT Aviation contributed to bring back Italy in the rose of the most advanced nations in the field.
This version of the G.91 R (scout), appears in 1959 and it represents a great commercial success.
It differs from the previous series mostly because of the nose, which contains photographic equipment for day and night reconnaissance operations.

Length: 10.3 meters
Height: 4 meters
Empty weight: 3.100 kg
Maximum speed: 1.075 km/h
Range: 1.150 km
Service ceiling: 13.100 meters

Macchi MC 205 V

The last in Engineer Castoldi’s series of fighter planes, mass produced by Macchi Aeronautica from 1942 onwards, the MC 205 V Veltro was undoubtedly the best Italian plane to be used during the last World War. 262 of the planes were built in three series and went into action in Spring 1943.
After the armistice, some of the 66 remaining MC 205s were deployed with the ruling Air Force and used by the 4th Stormo and the 155th Group, along the Allies.
A large number of the aircraft were also used in Squadrons of the Aviazione R.S.I., to defend cities in the North of Italy. The Veltro’s artillery was made up of two 20mm wing-mounted Maser guns and the two 12,7mm machine guns.

Length: 8.85 meters
Height: 3.04 meters
Empty weight: 2.581 kg
Maximum speed: 642 km/h
Range: 950 km
Service ceiling: 11.500 meters

Macchi MC 205V airplane

Macchi MC 205V aircraft nose

Leonardo da Vinci museum: More than a tourist destination

The Leonardo da Vinci Museum is more than a tourist spot; it’s a journey through time and the mind of one of humanity’s greatest geniuses. This space offers an educational and enriching experience, perfect for lovers of science, history, art, and especially aviation.

For more fascinating reads, check out our articles on the Aeronautical Museum of Málaga or about notable aviators like Glenn Curtis. And for more aviation insights, visit our aviation blog – you’ll love it!

Leonardo da Vinci Museum: An aeronautical heaven in Milan