In the image the first squadrons fly over the city of Reykjavik [on concession of the AM museum in Vigna di Valle].

Official statement of 1933: "The weather reports that arrived this morning at the Cruise Command were sure to bring down the pressure on the Irish coast and a leveling of the depression on the route, while persisting to Northwest of Greenland a minimum of depression that there is stabilized for a few days.For fear of being later blocked by bad weather at the starting point, the Command, at 11 am of Greenwich, issued to the crews the boarding order for departure, which began at 11.45 with the squadron At 12.7am the complete line-up was en route to Reykjavik at 5.50 pm, with an average speed of over 245 km / h The first two hours of flight were in a clear atmosphere with winds moderate south-west.In the third hour the formation has encountered fog banks of the extension of about 350 kilometers, but which were crossed by squadrons to about 150 kilometers, flying above the fog itself, and for the remaining 200 with blind flight, because the foggy curtain joined the clouds the rest of the flight was accomplished with agitated atmosphere, strong south-west wind, rough sea and rain for low clouds, conditions that did not allow to see the coast if not when the appliances were on the vertical of the earth. The ditching, in difficult wind conditions, took place in fifteen minutes. The Cruise Command provides a few days stop in Reykjavik due to bad weather conditions.

1st Report to the Duce

The third stage of the Rome-Chicago Cruise has happily ended on the gray sky of Reykjavik at 64 degrees latitude, a few miles from the polar circle. "I am very satisfied with the behavior of the cars and the men.The average speed of this part of the route has always been above 215 kilometers per hour.We have surpassed the 245 kilometers today" The passage of the Alps has been facilitated by the possibility climb of our seaplanes that with 3000 kilograms of load have come easily to 4000 meters. "We have begun in the last two stages, but especially in this from Londonderry to Reykjavik, the flight in the fog. I find it extremely wearisome for the nerves. The seaplane is very stable and the flight would be relatively easy if performed by a single device, but it becomes very difficult for the maintenance of distances when sailing in formation. "Entering the fog I order the squadrons to take the fixed positions, fixed the revolutions of the engines, the altitude and the angle of magnetic route.Amediately the two devices that are at the sides of each squadron commander deflect 45 degrees to the right respectively and on the left for 4 minutes, then they return to the route.This way they are interspersed with 10 kilometers.The leaders-squadron then, before entering the fog, with appropriate slowdown take a distance of a few kilometers between squadron and squadron. "Not even these precautions, but allow you to fly safely, sl always has the impression of collision, however the team has done its general test and I hope will easily overcome the stretch that separates us from the Labrador." I will wait in Reykjavik favorable conditions for the Ocean, as I have expected in Orbetelio favorable conditions for the Alps. I am afraid that the bad weather will increase because we are in a depression zone. But I'm not in a hurry. All I need to do is get to Chicago by the end of July. Italo Balbo."