The Rampa Foundation in Brazil
The Rampa Foundation at home
Natal, Brazil, is the home of The Rampa Foundation. We can assure you there is no place in the World with such a History, because here, the Germans, Americans, French and Italians had their Airline Company offices and facilities up to December 1941. Knowing that story is a real time travel to a time where spies lived with legitimate bussinessmen, pilots, prostitutes, sailors, soldiers and politicians. One day Hollywood will discover Natal and a new "Casablanca" will emerge as a blockbuster. Can you imagine where that plane on the "Casablanca" movie took off to? Yes, my friend, Natal. There you go, the continuation would be on.
When the French where at war with Italy in 1940, guess where they had adjacent facilities? Yes, Natal.
When the U.S. were being attacked by U-Boats in 1941, guess where they had adjacent facilities? You scored again if you said Natal.
When the U.S. was preparing its future airports in Brazil, guess who were flying over them, taking pictures? The italians.
Where was it the only open airline route between The Americas and The Third Reich? Natal, again. Got the picture?
Browse our pages and you will discover how Natal became so important toAviation since 1927 (Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh paid a visit to Natal) and how the Americans draw Brazil to the Allies side and expelled the Axis representatives from Brazil. You will be amazed to know all U.S. Navy units' effort conduct from Natal against the Axis U-boats. Discover an untold part of WW2. I will give you an example: where was it located the U.S. Navy squadron with the highest tally against the U-boats? Yes, Natal, and that unit is the VP-83 / VB-107 / VPB-107. The U.S. Navy had a whole fleet in Brazil, the 4th Fleet and this fleet had a Fleet Air Wing, FAW-16. Blimps, Mariners, Catalinas, Liberators, Venturas and even an escort aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Solomons gave combat to Blockade Runners and U-boats. They were in Brazil and Natal was the largest U.S. Base outside the U.S. Can you imagine that? I bet no one told you about it. That's why we are here. To pay homage to all those unsang heroes, from all nations.
Natal wasn't only Brazilian, Natal was international. It was once defined as "The crossroads of the World" by the U.S. Military. The only ATC (Air Transport Command) air route open the whole year was via Natal. I will tell you something you would never guess, the first B-29s used against Japan passed through Natal in their way to China. To much for you, huh? Can you imagine how all the large planes from USAAF and U.S. Navy arrived in North Africa to smash the Axis? And again to invade Italy? And again to arrive in the C-B-I (China, Burma, India) Theather of War? Yes, they all were air supplied via Natal. Was Natal important or what?
Well, I gave you just a little hint about Natal's importance to the World up to the end of WW2. To tell the World that story is the work of The Rampa Foundation.
We couldn't do that without the support of our contributors in Brazil
Enjoy the ride.
................
Gen. Truscott, commander US 5th Army pins up the Silver Star Medal to Lt. Apolo Rezk, Brazilian Army Expeditionary Force (FEB) in Italy, WW2. Click on the picture to listen to the Expeditionary Song
TAM Museum is the best Aeronautical Museum in South America when it comes to General Aviation.
Aeropostale was a very important carrier in Brazil and turned into Airfrance. It linked Europe with South America via Natal.
Natal was the arrival point for Italy's Crociera Atlantica, when they left Bolama in Africa in 1931, linking Italy to Rio.
