We have our Research and Plastic Model Group

Researching for Modeling

The Rampa Foundation is a Cultural Institution dedicated to the research, preservation and difusion of Natal's rich Aviation past.

In doing so, we stablished a Research and Plastic Model Group dedicated to building models of the planes that passed or were based in Natal, since the early times to the end of WW2.

To build the models, in the most accurate way we needed to research their color schemes, look for pictures and even interview people who flew those planes, 60, 70 years ago. In 2009 we located a 94 y.o. person that saw the S-64 in 1928 (he was only 14 y.o.) to ask what color was the plane. "White", he replied. We are talking about the plane Arturo Ferrarin and Carlo Del Prete used in July 5, 1928 to break the world's record for duration and distance. They flew from Rome to Touros, close to Natal. Also interviewed U.S. veterans to build VP-83/VB-107 planes stationed in Natal in the 1942-45 period.

Here it is called Grupo de Pesquisa e Plastimodelismo da Fundação Rampa (The Rampa Foundation's Research and Plastic Model Group), internationaly it is only the GPPFR. Among our members are Larry Goodell from Jacksonville, Florida, Eduardo Souto from Natal, Brazil and Claudio Luchina from California.

We can assure you there is no place in the World with such a potential for building models, because here, the German Lufthansa and its Brazilian subsidiary Syndicato Condor, American Pan Am and its Brazilian subsidiary Panair do Brasil, French Compagnie Generale Aeropostale, later Air France, and Italian LATI - Linee Aeree Transcontinentali Italiane had their Airline Company offices and facilities up to December 1941. Appart from them, from 1922 to 1939 individuals from several countries like Japan, Italy, Cuba, Spain, Portugal, U.S., Italy, New Zealand, Australia and others landed in Natal in the way to their destinations. Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart and Mermoz were here in different times. Both airships Hindenburg and Graff Zeppelin flew over our heads. Natal was an obligatory point to flyers that wanted to link the World by air.

From December 1941 on, Natal became a War Zone, with the largest U.S. base outside the U.S., Parnamirim Field, with is ATC (USAAF's Air Transport Command) planes sending war-needed material to the whole world, once Natal was open year-round. Also, a U.S. Navy section was stablished in Parnamirim Field conducting Convoy coverage and fighting U-Boats and Blockade Runners. So many U.S. Navy squadrons passes through Natal during WW2. Catalinas, Mariners, Venturas were a common sight. So many USAAF bomber squadrons reached the frontlines via Natal. So many planes were ferried via Natal. All the U.S. planes bound to the British in North Africa arrived via Natal. Also for the C-B-I Theather of War. The Russians came to Natal to learn how to fly the Catalina and the U.S. handed over some planes with the Red Star painted on that went to the USSR with Russian crew.

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