Varese, a small provincial town near the Swiss border, has been a centre for the Italian aviation industry since 1921,when the firm of Nieuport-Macchi was established there by Giulio Macchi. Many of the early aircraft were seaplanes, which accounted for the factory being sited on the shores of Lake Varese.

Nieuport-Macchi grew to quite a large size during World War 1, and continued - albeit under the fresh title of Aeronautica Macchi (soon abbreviated to Aermacchi)- to concentrate on aircraft in the years that followed. During World War 2, the Varese Company produced some of Italy's finest warplanes. After the war ended Aermacchi decided to join the motorcycle boom which was sweeping Italy during the late 40's.

Anthony is in the process of restoring an Aermacchi motorcycle.