Savoia Marchetti SM 79

[JDK]

One of the rarer types I saw on my recent trip through Europe.



Savoia Marchetti SM 79 torpedo bomber at the Caproni Museum, Trento, Northern Italy.

The 'Siluranti' (torpedo) crews were some of the most efficient anti-shipping men of the early war period, but poorly served by the lack of later, better aircraft types.

Pre-war they had some success as airliner-based air-racers.

AFAIK, there are just two survivors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savoia-Marchetti_SM.79

http://www.comandosupremo.com/Sm79.html

Last edited by JDK on Thu Nov 27, 2008 4:54 am, edited 1 time in total.

[BenG]

James,

Actually, there is one more fuselage with no wings preserved also in Italy.
FMI: http://www.preservedaxisaircraft.com/Italy/savoia.htm

So, we can consider there is 3 survivors.

Ben

Last edited by BenG on Thu Nov 27, 2008 5:10 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Jan]

James,

For 'Sluranti' you probably mean Siluranti. Interestingly, all three SM 79's were recovered from Lebanon.

Regards,

Jan

[Mgawa]

How many planes of this type has pereserved? As I know two?

[JDK]

How many planes of this type has pereserved? As I know two?

Errr... See above? The link gives details - Two complete, on display, one fuselage.

Jan - quite.

[Mgawa]

I have error on page so thats why I ask

[JDK]

I have error on page so thats why I ask

Ah. From the Axis Wings site, quoted above:

SM 79 Italy PV "MM24327" (MM45508) L-112 278-2 Museo Storico dell'Aeronautica Militaire, Italiana, Vigna di Valle

SM 79 Italy PV MM24499 LR-AMAC L-113, 253-? Museo 'Caproni' di Taledo, Trento

SM 79 Italy PV MM21150 LR-AMA L-111 Moved to newly opened museum in Malpensa. Fuselage will be restored. Ex Museo storico dell'Aeronautica Militare Italiana - Vigna di Valle, Fuselage without wings.

And here's the Italian Air Force Museum example:

[Obergrafeter]

Why is the first one in civilian colors? Did airlines use them post war?

[Steve Nelson]

I don't believe those are civilian colors on the one SM-79, but peacetime Lebanese AF markings.

Great pics..thanks for posting! I've always thought those Italian tri-motor bombers were cool..I wish a Cant Z.1007 had been preserved somewhere.

Probably the reason there aren't many Italian WWII bombers preserved it because they used a lot of wood in their construction, which doesn't survive long if left exposed to the elements. The SM-79 had wood wings and a fabric-covered tube fuselage. I believe the Fiat BR-20 was all-metal..a shame one of those isn't preserved somewhere.

SN

[mustangdriver]

Great looking aircraft. I wish there were some more of those old Italian aircraft around.

[Mgawa]

This is not peacetime color- from 1935 Italian Air Force introduced Bianco Ivorio as overall finish for the bombers operated in the colonies.

Thank you JDK for your kind attention