3. My understanding is that all Italian planes had "reversed" throttle
controls, i.e. the pilot pulled the throttle control back to get more
engine power, and pushed the control forward to cut engine power

Interesting. Any confirmation of this?

The French of course were famed (or infamous) for the "backwards"
throttle. Curtiss manufactured P-40 types for France which were later
taken over by the British as Tomahawk Is and used for training. In one
oft-told instance, a British pilot realized he was landing long,
pushed the throttle to the firewall, and pancaked into a hangar. He
climbed out, saying: "No wonder the bloody Frogs lost the war!"

The Japanese army in 1920 imported French fighters, instructors, and
designers, and therefore fought the Pacific War with reverse
throttles. The navy meanwhile had done the same with British fighters,
instructors, and designers, hence used the throttle in the
Anglo-American fashion.

all the best -- Dan Ford
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