I-LORD Douglas
DC-3
(c/n 4496)
Societa Aerea Mediterranea was a subsidiary of Ala Littoria founded
back in 1928. When
Alitalia was formed after WW II, it became a subsidiary of that
organization. Evidence of
this can
be seen in the above 1960s image showing its Alitalia-like paint
scheme, SAM ran
domestic
passenger and freight services within Italy, although these were
suspended in 1976.
I-LORD was a prior C-47-DL, serial 41-18434, and was one of many
dispersed to Italian
airlines after the
war (I doubt if money changed hands; they were probably part of the
Marshall
Plan). In 1964 this C-47 went to the Royal
Rhodesian Air Force and, after several years
to the Zambia
Air Force. Fate unknown.