Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero

1329:

and after two hours, at 21:30, they arrived over Alexandria and began attacking ships, but unsuccessfully. The departure airport had only 1,000 m (3,300 ft) of runway for takeoff, so two of the fuel tanks were left empty to reduce weight, giving an endurance of five hours for a 4.33-hour journey. Only Buscaglia and Dequal returned, both aircraft damaged by anti-aircraft fire. Buscaglia landed on only one wheel, with some other damage. The other three SM.79s, attacking after the first two, were hindered by a fierce anti-aircraft defence and low clouds and returned to their base without releasing their torpedoes. However, all three ran out of fuel and were forced to jettison the torpedoes which exploded in the desert, and then force-landed three hours after the attack. Two crews were rescued later, but the third (Fusco's) was still in Egypt when they force-landed. The crew set light to their aircraft the next morning, which alerted the British who then captured them. These failures were experienced within a combat radius of only about 650 km (400 mi), in clear contrast with the glamorous performances of the racer

1860:

achieve the necessary distance that the mission required, and so all weapons except one were removed, one member of crew was left behind, and the fuel load was increased to 5,000 L (1,320 US gal). To reach Gibraltar, it was necessary to take off from Istres, in Southern France, and then fly for a total of 2,700 km (1,700 mi). Of the 12 aircraft that departed from Istres on 5 June 1944, 10 reached their target (according to other sources, ten SM.79s took off on 4 June and nine reached the target). The defenders were taken by surprise, and all the aircraft successfully launched their torpedoes, but three SM.79s ran out of fuel and were forced to land in Spain. Initial claims by the Italians were four ships sunk, totalling 27,216 tonnes (30,000 tons). German observers in

1236: 1721:, but of the 44 aircraft, only a third were considered flight-worthy by 9 July 1943. Production of new SM.79s continued to fall behind and up to the end of July only 37 SM.79s and 39 SM.84s were delivered. Despite the use of an improved engine, capable of a maximum speed of 475 km/h (295 mph), these machines were unable to cope with the difficult task of resisting the invasion. They were too large to allow them to evade detection by enemy defences, and their large aircrew requirement resulted in heavy losses of personnel. In the first five days SM.79s performed 57 missions, at night only, and failed to achieve any results, with the loss of seven aircraft. Another three aircraft were lost on 16 July 1943 in a co-ordinated attack with German forces on 728:, with the bomb-aiming instruments located in front and the rearwards-aimed ventral defensive machine gun in the rear, made it impossible to perform both bomb-aiming and rear defence simultaneously, so its usefulness was compromised. Because of this, in the later versions which were used exclusively for torpedo-bombing tasks, the ventral weapon and nacelle were removed. The fixed forward Breda machine gun, more suited to offensive tasks and aimed by the pilot, was seldom used defensively, and was often removed or replaced with a smaller calibre gun or mock-up, with an associated gain in speed and range due to the reduction in weight. The rear ventral gondola on the 2200: 542:, all-metal three-bladed propellers. Speeds attained were around 430 km/h (270 mph) at 4,250 m (13,940 ft), with a relatively low practical ceiling of 6,500 m (21,300 ft). Cruise speed was 373 km/h (232 mph) at 5,000 m (16,000 ft), but the best cruise speed was 259 km/h (161 mph) (60% power). The landing was characterized by a 200 km/h (120 mph) final approach with the slats extended, slowing to 145 km/h (90 mph) with extension of flaps, and finally the run over the field with only 200 m (660 ft) needed to land (2,050 rpm, 644 Hg pressure). 838:. One of these aircraft established further records during 1937; powered by an arrangement of three Piaggio P.XI RC.40 engines (providing a combined thrust of 2,237 kW (3,000 hp)), it averaged 423.618 km/h (263.224 mph) over 1,000 km (620 mi) with a 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) payload. This record then improved to 444.115 km/h (275.960 mph), while another SM.79 achieved 428.296 km/h (266.131 mph) in the 2,000 km (1,200 mi)/ 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) category. Unofficially, a speed of 472 km/h (293 mph) was later achieved in the same category. 2700: 971: 469: 2547: 2522: 2476: 1670: 2284: 34: 2598: 2678: 2572: 681: 1232:, but his aircraft was a write-off; another Savoia Marchetti was damaged, but landed at the same base. These few aircraft were later reinforced by others which were modified to fly at an economical speed over Sudan for the hazardous ferry flight of over 2,000 km (1,200 mi). They could not, however, do much to help Italian forces in Ethiopia, which were forced to surrender in spring 1941. The same period saw the five Iraqi SM.79Bs and the 45 SM.79Ks in Yugoslavian service unable to mount a successful defence in either Iraq or Yugoslavia. 2632: 3151: 2499: 2816: 2722: 908: 3210: 919:(Wing) was the first to be equipped with the SM.79, starting in early 1936, and was involved in the initial evaluation of the bomber, which continued throughout 1936. The Wing went operational on 1 May 1936 with the SM.79 successfully completing torpedo launches from a target distance of 5 km (3.1 mi) in August 1936. The torpedo bomber variant was much more unstable and harder to control than the civilian version (and much less precise than its successor, the 587: 305: 692:. Three of these were 12.7 mm (0.5 in) guns, two of which were positioned in the dorsal "hump", with the forward one (with 300 rounds) fixed at an elevation of 15°, and the other manoeuvrable with 60° pivotal movement in the horizontal, and 0–70° in the vertical plane. The third 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine gun was located ventrally. Each gun except for the forward one was equipped with 500 rounds. There was also a 7.7 mm (0.303 in) 2460: 1646:, another prominent member of the Italian torpedo-airforce who was credited with over 90,718 tonnes (100,000 tons) of enemy shipping sunk, was shot down the day after saying "We will probably all be dead before Christmas". The risks of attempting to overcome the effective defences of allied ships were too great to expect much chance of long-term survival, but he was later rescued from the water, badly wounded. On 18 November, the light cruiser 2808: 2777: 2656: 455:, also produced the type. Manufacture of the type continued until June 1943, during which time a total of 1,217 aircraft were completed, many of which were completed to bomber, torpedo-bomber, and transport configurations. The SM.79 has been described as being by far the most important Italian offensive warplane of the Second World War, and one of the very few Italian aircraft to be produced in substantial quantities. 5516: 5540: 1520: 2754: 1316:) as a new operational unit, the "Special Aerotorpedoes Unit" (headed by Colonel Moioli), was established following several years of experiments involving the type. After having ordered the first 50 torpedoes from Whitehead Torpedo Works, on 10 August 1940, the first aircraft landed at T5 airfield, near Tobruk. Despite the lack of an aiming system and a specific doctrine for tactics, an attack on shipping in 2372:. Powered by AR.128 engines of approximately 746 kW (1,000 hp) each, giving increased performance (speed increased to 475 km/h (295 mph), and climb to 5,000 m (16,000 ft) in 16 minutes 7 sec). Ventral nacelle deleted. 1,000 L (260 US gal) fuel tank mounted in the bomb bay. The forward machine gun was retained, with its flash protection, probably as an anti-ship weapon. 5528: 2452: 744: 1084: 1864:, in Spain, reported that four ships, totalling 30,000 tons were badly damaged and that two others had been hit. British sources however stated that no ships were lost, due to an effective system of defence. Regardless, this was the largest enemy incursion over Gibraltar in four years of war and this operation demonstrated the flying skill of the Republican torpedo airmen. 258:. In this theatre it normally operated without fighter escort, relying on its relatively high speed to evade interception. While some problems were identified, and in some cases resolved, the SM.79's performance during the Spanish deployment was encouraging and stimulated demand for the type, including a decision to adopt it as the backbone of Italy's bomber units. Both 440:). Aircraft amongst these variants participated in various early record-setting attempts during 1937 and 1938. In light of opinions amongst prospective export customers regarding the desirability of a nose-mounted gun position (impossible due to the nose-mounted third engine), Savoia-Marchetti started work on the design of a two-engined model of the type, known as the 2334:

First flights: the prototype MM.260 (the former civil version S-79P converted) 20 May 1936, still with the AR.125 engines. First production S.79-I MM.20663(also known as S.79K or S.79M) 7 July 1936, delivered to Regia Aeronautica on 29 July 1936. After the first three, the next production models had the AR.126 RC.34 (780 cv), the first one flew on 27 September 1936.

1032:. One of the SM.79s was damaged, but its defensive armament prevented the fighters from performing close-up attacks. All of the bombers successfully returned to base, although one had been hit by 27 bullets, many of which having struck fuel tanks. Several other interceptions occurred during the conflict without any SM.79s being lost as a result. 3108:

At least two were completely destroyed, and three damaged. On that day, on a simple ferry flight of 1,100 km, the 18th lost five Sparvieros and at least one crew, with many wounded. The flight of 52ª Sq lasted for 4 hours and 45 mins but 18ª Sq flew for 5h and 15 mins, without any payload, at an average speed of only 210 km/h.

1340:, and from September 1940 carried out many shipping attacks, including on 4 September (when Buscaglia had his aircraft damaged by fighters) and 10 September, when Robone claimed a merchant ship sunk. On 17 September, after an unsuccessful day attack, Buscaglia and Robone returned at night, attacking the British ships that shelled 3125:

supply the aircraft made a forced landing some 500 km (310 mi) away from its base. Some of the crew of six had suffered some injuries, but at least one crew member was able to leave to search for help. He walked for over 90 km (56 mi) in the desert, was overcome and died only eight kilometres from the

954:(groups) entirely equipped with the SM.79. Every squadron had around nine to 10 aircraft, but this included second line aircraft, so the force of each squadron consisted on average of around seven to eight bombers, and every wing had around 30 bombers. Among these units; 8, 9, 11, 12, 30, 32, 36, 41 and 46 1801:, new deliveries and aircraft in workshops and depots, the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana (ANR) had 73 SM.79 at its disposal. They were mostly SM.79-III type. This version featured strengthened armament and had no ventral "bathtub" turret. They were based mostly in Venegono. Two secondary bases were 697:

sufficient room in the fuselage for one man to operate them. Despite the low overall "hitting power", it was heavily armed by 1930s standards, the armament being more than a match for the fighter aircraft of the time, which were not usually fitted with any armour. By the Second World War, however, the

1473:

The year ended with a total of nine Allied ships sunk and 30 damaged; for 14 torpedo bombers lost and another 46 damaged in action. This was the best year for the Italian torpedo bombers and also the year when the SM.84, the SM.79's successor was introduced. Overall, these numbers meant little in the

772:

From 1939 onwards, two torpedoes could be carried externally, as could larger bombs, on two hardpoints fitted under the inner wing. However, in practice, owing to the reduced performance and manoeuvrability of the aircraft when carrying two torpedoes, usually only one was carried. The SM.79's overall

3107:

could only take off 40 minutes later, while the first seven circled over the airfield. The 15 Sparvieros flew together until reaching Misurata, but the 18th squadriglia had flown for much longer and was short of fuel. Subsequently, its SM.79s crashed one after the other with only two landing safely.

2333:

nine-cylinder engines. Span 21.20 m (69.6 ft), length 15.80 m (51.8 ft), max speed 430 km/h (270 mph) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft), up to 1,250 kg (2,760 lb) of bombs, max takeoff weight 10,480 kg (23,100 lb), range 1,899 km (1,180 mi).

1660:

Despite the increased activity in 1942, the results were considerably poorer than those of the previous year; the efforts made by the bombers were subject to heavy criticism and widely deemed to have been insufficient. Many debated the possibilities of torpedo manufacturing defects or even sabotage:

1328:

On 15 August 1940, the type's first combat sortie saw five SM.79s that had been modified and prepared for the task dispatched to El Adem airfield. Among their pilots were Buscaglia, Dequal and other pilots destined to become "aces." The journey was made at an altitude of 1,500 m (4,900 ft)

830:

was modified to carry a payload of 6,100 kg (13,400 lb) of bombs internally, which enabled it to attempt speed records while carrying a payload. On 23 September 1935, it flew for 2,000 km (1,200 mi) with a 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) load at an average speed of 389.61 km/h

696:

in one of a pair of "waist" mounts, on a mount that allowed rapid change of side of the weapon. This Lewis gun was later replaced by two 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Bredas in the waist mounts, which were more reliable and faster firing (900 rounds/min instead of 500), even though there was only

594:

The SM.79's performance was considered fairly strong. Its rate of climb was fairly high, it was fairly fast for its time, and was both rugged and responsive enough to allow it to be looped (with care). Its wooden structure was light enough to allow it to stay afloat for up to half an hour in case of

415:

would produce a highly effective defense against contemporary fighter aircraft. In response to the military interest, the company decided to construct a militarised second prototype. While it did not differ in structure from the first civil-orientated prototype, it had a faired ventral nacelle for a

3124:

Oscar Cimolini, with the intention of searching for enemy shipping near Crete. After an attack around 20:00 hours, it began the trip back to its base. The crew became disoriented and, unable to communicate due to a broken radio, missed their airfield in bad weather conditions. Exhausting their fuel

1859:

For this mission, 12 SM.79 bis models were used. They had enhanced engines, armoured shields for the lateral machine guns, an additional 1,000 L (264 US gal) fuel tank in the bomb bay, and had the bombardier's nacelle removed. Even these modifications could not provide sufficient range to

1355:

to the extent that the ship remained under repair until September 1941. After almost a month of attacks, this was the first success officially acknowledged and proven. After almost a month of further attacks, a newcomer, Erasi, flew with Robone on 14 October 1940 against a British formation and hit

611:

that had a maximum combined capacity of 3,460 L (910 US gal). Endurance when flown at full load was reportedly around 4 hours 30 minutes at an average speed of 360 km/h (220 mph). The maximum ferry range, when flown at its optimal cruise speed, was unconfirmed; in order to

2079:

fighters flew out to intercept it. Once the pilot of the SM.79 had set his aircraft on a course toward the Allied ships he bailed out, leaving the Z.1007bis crew to guide the flying bomb the rest of the way by radio. However, the radio controls malfunctioned and with nothing to guide it the SM.79

1912:

Bertuzzi hit a 7,000-ton freighter with a torpedo. The following day, a formation of Republic P-47 Thunderbolt destroyed 14 "Sparvieri" on Lonate Pozzolo airfield. The only two serviceable SM.79s left flew the last operational mission of the group and sank a 5,000-ton ship in the Adriatic off the

1027:

By 4 November 1936, there were only six SM.79s with enough crew to fly them operating in Spain. At the beginning of 1937, there were 15 SM.79s in total, and they went on to be used in Spain throughout the conflict, experiencing few losses throughout. Around 19 SM.79s of what was dispatched to the

755:

bomb bay was configured to carry bombs vertically; this design decision had the consequence of preventing large bombs from being accommodated internally. The aircraft could accommodate a pair of 500 kg (1,100 lb), five 250 kg (550 lb), 12 100 or 50 kg (220 or 110 lb)

343:

The company quickly set about the construction of a single prototype of its design, being keen to participate in the high-profile London-Melbourne race if possible. The SM.79 had a three-engine configuration (two in mid-wing positions and the third mounted upon the nose) due to commercial safety

395:

Various other world records were established during multiple flights made by the prototype. It was determined early on that it was the engines, rather than the airframe itself, which were its limiting factor; accordingly, the prototype was re-engined multiple times. During 1935, the P.IX engines

716:

was attacked almost exclusively from the rear and above. The defensive weapons located in the rear gondola and the rear hump were protected by aerodynamic shields, which were intended to only be opened in the event of attackers appearing. However, in practice, an enemy aircraft could attack the

238:

low-wing monoplane of combined wood and metal construction, designed with the intention of producing a swift eight-passenger transport aircraft capable of besting the fastest of its contemporaries, but its potential as a combat aircraft quickly attracted the attention of the Italian government.

777:

design, had a weight of 876 kg (1,931 lb), length of 5.46 m (17 ft 11 in) and a 170 kg (370 lb) HE warhead. It had a 3 km (1.9 mi) range at 74 km/h (40 kn), and could be launched from a wide range of speeds and altitudes: 40–120 m

2388:

Twin-engine export version powered by the less reliable Fiat A.80 engines and with a glazed nose for improved bomb-aiming. More economical but slower (420 km/h; 260 mph) and 21.45 minutes to 5,000 m (16,000 ft) than the standard SM.79, but weighing 6,600–10,100 kg

603:

fire. With full power available and flaps set for takeoff, the SM.79 could be airborne within 300 m (980 ft) before quickly climbing to an altitude of 1,000 m (3,300 ft) within the space of 3 minutes, 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in 6 minutes 30 seconds, 3,000 m

1067:, a journey of six hours and 15 minutes. On this occasion, the aircraft proved it had a useful range (around 1,000 km; 620 mi with eight 100 kg (220 lb) bombs, for a total gross weight of around 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). SM.79s initially operated from the 419:

During October 1936, production of the SM.79 formally commenced. Initially, focus was given to producing civil aircraft while military variants continued to be developed; as such, there were a pair of principal commercial variants produced as well, these being the speed-focused

371:

windows, true to its original intended role as a passenger aircraft. The prototype quickly demonstrated its speed, making a flight from Milan to Rome in just one hour and 10 minutes, flying at an average speed of 410 km/h (250 mph). On 20 July 1935 it was given its

1378:, despite the anti-torpedo netting surrounding the ship, sending it out of commission for nine months while repairs were made. The aircraft continued in service until a British bomb struck them, setting off a torpedo and a "chain reaction" which destroyed them all. 2323:(610 cv). Roll-out 28 September 1934. The first flight was conducted on 8 October 1934. During spring 1935, it was re-equipped with Alfa Romeo 125 RC.35 (590–750 cv) and used as fast airliner for Regia Aeronautica and for some reconnaissance missions over Ethiopia. 1661:

the first 30 used in 1940 had excellent reliability, but a number of later torpedoes were found to be defective, especially those made at the Naples factory. During Operation Harpoon, over 100 torpedoes were launched, but only three of these had hit their targets.

416:

bomb-aimer, a forward-firing machine gun above the pilot's cabin, and another machine gun located on the underside of the tail. Furthermore, a third machine gun could be installed at an open position aft of the dorsal fairing to provide for further rear defense.

545:

The SM.79 was typically operated by a crew of five (or a crew of six upon the bomber version). The cockpit was designed for the accommodation of two pilots seated in a side-by-side configuration. Instrumentation in the central panel included oil and fuel gauges,

2892:

to counter enemy armoured units, but before they could reach their target, three of the lead section were shot down with the loss of 16 men, including Commander Mario Aramu. The wing was put out of action and the personnel were sent back to Italy aboard the RM

1028:

Spanish theatre were lost, while deliveries to 12 Wing and other units involved in combat numbered at least 99 aircraft. The first recorded interception of an SM.79 formation took place on 11 October 1937 when three aircraft were attacked by a formation of 12

1363:, a modern cruiser that lost her bow and needed 13 months of repair. After several months, and despite the losses and the first unfortunate mission, the core of the 278 was still operating the same four aircraft. The last success of this squadron was at 711:

were ever installed upon any SM.79s, which imposed considerable limitations upon its fields of defensive fire. Of all its defensive weapons, the dorsal one was often considered to be the most important as, following the shift to low-level attacks, the

768:

and a series of bomb-release mechanisms. The machine gun to the rear of the gondola prevented the bombardier from lying in a prone position, and as a result, the bombardier was provided with retractable structures to support his legs while seated.

773:

payload of 3,800 kg (8,400 lb) precluded carrying 1,600–1,860 kg (3,530–4,100 lb) of bombs without a noticeable reduction of the fuel load (approximately 2,400 kg (5,300 lb), when full). The standard torpedo, a 1938

1697:

were already obsolete and phased out of service in bomber Wings and its intended successors, the SM.84 and Z.1007, were considered to be failures, while the latter were not produced in enough numbers. As a consequence, the latest version of the

279:

The SM.79 was operated in various capacities during the Second World War, initially being used mainly as a transport aircraft and medium bomber. Following pioneering work by the "Special Aerotorpedoes Unit", Italy put the type to work as a

1688:

had diminished steadily: on average, a SM.79 would be shot down after just three missions. The year opened with attacks against Allied shipping off North Africa, during which they were unable to accomplish many successes. During July, the

620:, SM.79s were frequently modified in order to carry more fuel, and were able to fly over 2,000 km (1,200 mi). The range (not endurance) with 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) payload was around 800–900 km (500–560 mi). 623:

The effective torpedo bombing range was stated to be between 500 and 1,000 m (1,600 and 3,300 ft) from the target. During combat operations, SM.79s would often fly at low level above hostile vessels prior to launching the

1743:

on 19 July with 10 SM.79GAs, but only two managed to reach their target, again without achieving any result. During September 1943, the last offensive operation involving the type was conducted, and resulted in the damaging of the

1320:

was quickly organized. There had been experiments for many years but still, no service, no gear (except hardpoints) and no tactics were developed for the new role. This was despite previous Italian experiments into the practice of

1024:, of these, only four were recorded as being lost in combat. Due to the experience gained in Spain the SM.79-II, introduced during October 1939, went on to form the backbone of the Italian bomber corps during the Second World War. 2131:), who before joining the 132nd Torpedo Squadron, was badly wounded in an encounter with RAF Hurricanes and made a forced landing in the Ethiopian desert. Postwar, he later rose to the rank of Lieutenant General of the Air Force. 1874:

In 1941, a total of 14 squadrons conducted 225 sorties and 87 attacks, which were responsible for the sinking of nine ships (42,373 tonnes/47,700 tons) and another 12 being damaged (75,841 tonnes/83,600 tons).

1839:

were shot down and 27 crew members were killed. According to other sources, this encounter occurred on 6 April and four out of seven SM.79s were shot down, while the other three crash-landed. During one of the missions on Anzio,

2389:(14,600–22,300 lb), around 500 kg (1,100 lb) less than the basic SM.79), was longer (16.22 m; 53.2 ft), and had the same armament. Iraq bought five, but this version achieved little success in Italy. 408:. The high performance demonstrated by the prototype attracted the attention of the Italian military, which approached Savoia-Marchetti with a request to investigate the prospects for producing a bomber version of the type. 1474:

war, and almost no other results were recorded by Italian bombers. Horizontal bombing proved to be a failure and only dive bombers and torpedo-bombers achieved some results. Most of the major British ships lost were due to

3091:

A major safety issue in the operation of the SM.79 was the difference between the calculated and effective range figures, which led to several mishaps. Two accidents highlight the deficiencies in range of the Sparvieros.

1527:

The Axis' fortunes started to decline steadily during 1942. Over 100 SM.79s were in service in different Italian torpedo squadrons. In addition to its wide-scale deployment in its intended bomber-torpedo bomber role, the

865:

had also competed in the same race, but were only able to achieve a joint sixth place (with a SM.79) and an eighth place. Three of the SM.79CSs were modified to increase their endurance, allowing them to traverse the

1820:, where the British and American forces had landed on 22 January 1944. On the evening of 10 March, a flight of six ANR SM.79s attacked Allied merchant ships near the Anzio-Nettuno beachhead, during which a single 3133:

road, where his remains were found by chance in 1960. Subsequent searches found the still largely intact SM.79 on 5 October 1960. The skeleton of one crew member (probably the pilot) was found still inside the

2137:

Martino Aichner (nicknamed "Dolphin"), who made an inauspicious start to his career by hitting the sea during a low-level run in training that destroyed the propellers of both wing-mounted engines of his

1259:

in November 1940 (the remains were still there in 2003). At the beginning of 1941 only around 40 SM.79s were still present in Libya, and by the end of 1941 only one operational squadron remained. In the

2275:, which was armed with a single 20 mm Ikaria cannon and fitted with an enlarged cockpit for a fifth crew member. Due to its role in low-level attacks, the type frequently suffered heavy losses. 519:

were capable of rotating through +13/-26°, and were used together with the flaps in low-speed flight and in takeoff. The aircraft's capabilities were significantly greater than its predecessor, the

444:. This had a redesigned nose section which incorporated the bomb-aimer's position and an elevated position for the pilot, along with a single movable machine gun, and was first flown during 1936. 1407:. However, one SM.79 was shot down 25 nmi (46 km) north west of Gozo on 3 June, landing in the sea and staying afloat for some time. Further Italian successes came in August, when the 1148:

had the dubious honour of being the first aircraft to fall on Maltese soil during the Second World War: on 10 July 1940, an estimated twenty SM.79s without escort arrived to bomb the dockyard,

1055:

for high altitude operation, relatively high levels of instability, vibrations experienced at speeds over 400 km/h (250 mph) and other problems were encountered and sometimes solved.

2255:

14K radial engines. These aircraft, however, proved to be underpowered. Consequently, in February 1940, Romania ordered from Italy a further eight aircraft, which were each equipped with two

296:

was enacted prior to any operational deployment. It was the most numerous Italian bomber of the Second World War, with about 1,300 built. The type would remain in Italian service until 1952.

2349: 2377: 1880:

In 1943, 18 squadrons made 221 combat sorties, during which three ships were sunk (12,519 tonnes/13,800 tons) and another four were damaged (32,024 tonnes/35,300 tons).

320:

Alessandro Marchetti. It had originally been conceived as a fast monoplane transport aircraft, capable of accommodating up to eight passengers and of being used in air racing (such as the

1220:

Ruffini was hit by anti-aircraft fire from a British warship and crashed. Two Gloster Gladiators then intercepted the remaining bombers; Pilot Officer Stephenson's Gladiator attacked the

1251:

hard and many wings (a total of nine by May 1941) were phased out because of losses caused by enemy aircraft and ground fire. One aircraft was destroyed on the ground by R patrol of the

628:; as such, they were frequently targeted by every weapon available, from infantry small arms to heavy artillery, in a last ditch effort to prevent the torpedoes from being deployed. The 2190:, an incident that Balbo's closest friends and family strongly believed was an assassination ordered by Mussolini. Historians have generally accepted that this incident was an accident. 1877:

During 1942, 24 squadrons comprising 307 aircraft performed 60 attacks, sinking 10 ships (27,624 tonnes/30,450 tons) and damaging three 29,157 tonnes (32,140 tons).

1892:

base to carry out sorties in the Eastern Mediterranean. Their crews achieved some successes then and came back to Lonate Pozzolo on 12 August. In October, this formation was renamed

239:

Performing its first flight on 28 September 1934, early examples of the type established 26 separate world records between 1937 and 1939, qualifying it for some time as the fastest

1336:

Many missions followed, on 22–23 August (Alexandria), 26 August (against ships never found), and 27 August (Buscaglia against a cruiser). The special unit became known as the 278

4335: 2227:. Some of these aircraft escaped to Greece, carrying King Peter Karadjordjevic and his entourage. A few survived, one to be pressed into service with the pro-Axis forces of the 1536:, reconnaissance and transport missions. In the first six months of 1942, all the Italo-German efforts to hit Allied ships had only resulted in the sinking of the merchant ship 1763:

as transport aircraft in support of the Allies; those that remained in the North (believed to number roughly 36 aircraft) continued to fight along German forces as part of the

778:(130–390 ft) and up to 300 km/h (190 mph) maximum. It took over ten years to develop effective torpedo-bombing techniques; consequently, with the failure of the 1735:, so the attacks had to be performed visually, hopefully aided by moonlight, while the Allies had ship-borne radar and interceptor aircraft. Despite their depleted state, the 3088:, bomber and torpedo bombers downed in these two years by naval fighters was, not counting aircraft heavily damaged and eventually lost, 24 aircraft, 2% of total production. 1871:

During 1940, two squadrons made 39 sorties and 17 attacks; the damaging of 27,578 tonnes (30,400 tons) of shipping was attributed to these squadrons in this period.

251:. Early on, the aircraft was routinely entered in competitive fly-offs and air races, seeking to capitalise on its advantages, and often emerged victorious in such contests. 1571:), the cruisers remained highly vulnerable to torpedoes, but no Italian air attack managed to hit them with more than one torpedo at once. On the same day the merchant ship 3475: 1759:

had no fewer than 61 SM.79s, of which 36 were operational. Following the signing of the Armistice, the SM.79s based in southern Italy (34 altogether) were used by the

1228:

Serafini, which had been damaged by anti-aircraft fire, but the Gladiator was hit by the SM.79's dorsal gunner, forcing it to crash-land. Serafini managed to land at

1121:

Francesco Solimene, took off at 18.15 to reconnoitre intended bombing targets on the island. Two Gladiators were scrambled, one piloted by Flt Lt George Burges. Over

5295: 411:

An evaluation of the SM.79 from a military perspective was conducted. Amongst the determinations made was that the installation of either two or three defensive

2112:

crews became even more renowned than fighter aces because of the initial records set, the successful raids in Spain, especially those made by the "Green Mice" (

1709:(groups), 41, 89, 104, 108, 130, 131 and 132nd equipped with dozens of aircraft, but this was nevertheless a weak force. Except for the 104th, based around the 2056: 834:

As on the prototype, the "hump" was not fitted to some of the first production aircraft, these being transformed into performance aircraft, designated as the

721:

while remaining unseen, so the defensive positions were usually left open even though this had the effect of reducing the aircraft's maximum effective speed.

285: 882:, Brazil; on 25 January, two of the three arrived at 22:45 local time. However, one of the aircraft suffered a technical fault, forcing the crew to land at 604:(9,800 ft) in 9 minutes 34 seconds, 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in 13 minutes 2 seconds, and 5,000 m (16,000 ft) in 17 minutes 43 seconds. 2088:, which was tested in June 1943, but the armistice intervened before it could go into production. Another proposal suggested using a parasite Macchi C.202 1973: 1180:. The air victory was credited to Flying Officer Frederick Taylor. At least one Italian bailed out, but his parachute was on fire and he did not survive. 1447: 1177: 2792:

ordered four SM.79L bomber aircraft in 1946, which were delivered in 1949 and used as military transports. These aircraft appeared in the 1954 war film

2149:

on 15 June 1942, which was able to shoot down his bomber, forcing him to ditch in the sea, and in 1943 he was forced to make a third landing in the sea.

1192:; according to Apostolo, it was the most advanced aircraft to be deployed to the theatre by either side. On the western side of Italian East Africa, at 1020:, killing 2,700 civilians and injuring more than 7,000. During the three years of the civil conflict, in excess of 100 SM.79s served as bombers for the 938:

in Italian service, spread across 11 wings that were either partially or totally equipped with this aircraft. The type also participated in the Italian

447:

In addition to the manufacturing activity performed by Savoia-Marchetti, in order to meet demand for the type, an Italian subcontractor in the form of

648:

were fast and well-armed, and as well as being effective long-range day fighters, were successful night interceptors and late in the war often chased

5004: 2085: 1247:, around 100 SM.79s served in 10, 14, 15 and 30 Wings, bombing mainly non-strategic targets in the desert. The British offensive in December hit the 1631:

to deliver the vital fuel on 15 August 1942 to enable Malta to continue functioning as an important Allied base, a major Allied strategic success.

2823:

While the SM.79 was often considered overall to be a relatively sturdy and well-developed aircraft, the type experienced its share of misfortune.

861:

took the first three positions, while the other two were placed sixth and seventh, the latter of which was heavily damaged in Damascus. A pair of

2360:

Improved, extended range torpedo bomber introduced during late 1942. It was not available in significant numbers until mid-1943. Known also as

2142:, and running on only the power of the central engine, managed a sea landing. He was involved in the sinking of the already crippled destroyer 1982:

Additionally, several more Allied warships were torpedoed and suffered serious damage as a result of attacks by the SM.79s. These included the

4407: 786:, only the SM.79 continued to serve as a torpedo bomber until 1944, despite trials conducted with many other types of aircraft, including the 2534: 2404:

Twin-engine version for Romania, powered by 895 kW (1,200 hp) Junkers Jumo 211Da engines. Eight Italian built aircraft (designated

2134:

Carlo Faggioni, one of the more skilled pilots, who was shot down in 1944 during the Anzio landings. Only his hat was recovered from the sea.

1051:

and his victory in northern Spain. Combat experience gained during the war had revealed some deficiencies present in the SM.79: the lack of

2116:), and the torpedo missions carried out during the war which became the subject of fascist propaganda. Among the men famous for serving in 923:). Its capabilities were still being explored when the Spanish Civil War broke out, and a number of SM.79s were dispatched to support the 1386:

The year was one of intense activity for the Italian torpedo bombers. In April many successes were recorded by SM.79s of the 281 and 280

1134: 2838:

was damaged by an anti-aircraft shell, and landed with dead and wounded on-board (4 January 1939). On 30 June 1939 two of the aircraft,

2172:, and was shot down in December 1942. After the Italian Armistice Buscaglia joined the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force; while flying a 4977: 1523:

A S.M.79 of the 193ª Squadriglia Bombardamento Terrestre (193th Land Bombing Squadron), 87º Gruppo (87th Group), 30º Stormo (87th Wing)

3142:

on Romanini's body indicated that at least another crewman had accompanied him through the desert, but had died earlier on the march.

704:

s vulnerability to newer fighters was significant, and it lost the reputation for near-invulnerability that it had gained over Spain.

5409: 4967: 1511:, the British fleet was left without major ships in their Mediterranean fleet, leaving the Axis better situated to control the sea. 2834:(again with a crew of 17) was lost when another SM.79 damaged by anti-aircraft guns collided with it on 23 March. A further SM.79, 2668: 1831:

suffered heavy losses on 4 April, when 13 unescorted SM.79s, during a ferry flight from Lonate Pozzolo to Perugia, were bounced by

2223:

by their crews or by advancing Axis forces. During several sorties against German and Italian forces they managed some success in

1797:

were built after the armistice, while five were overhauled by the Reggiane factories. Counting the aircraft taken over from the

5575: 4330: 539: 632:

had several advantages compared to British torpedo bombers, including a higher top speed and greater range. Soon however, the

5590: 5580: 4997: 4922: 4907: 4841: 4811: 4792: 4640: 2340:

Torpedo-bomber powered by three improved Alfa Romeo 126 engines, bomb bay removed and often crew armour added. One had three

2263:(J for Jumo, I for Italy and S for Savoia) and were delivered in 1941–2. A further 72 SM.79s were built under licence by the 3469: 1204:

operated twelve SM.79s each. Italy also had six SM.79s as part of the reserve forces but two of them were under repair. The

764:, who had an 85° forward field of view from their position, was normally provided with a "Jozza-2" aiming system, automatic 3171: 1071:

and later from mainland Spain. Hundreds of missions were performed in a wide range of roles against Republican targets. No

367:) was completed too late for it to be entered in the London-Melbourne race. It featured very sleek contours and continuous 3138:; two more bodies were found outside the wreck. The other two crew members were never found; the finding of an additional 2264: 1212:. The SM.79s of Italian East Africa first saw action on 13 June 1940, when nine of them took off from Diredawa to attack 1559:

SM.79, putting it out of action for another 13 months. Regardless of where the torpedo struck (amidships in the case of

1235: 950:, assigned to a total of 14 wings (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 41 and 46). Not all of these wings had 5560: 5225: 3768: 3445: 2645: 1765: 101: 2830:(with a total crew of 17) was destroyed in the air on 12 April 1938, when one of its bombs detonated in the bomb bay. 1856:

Marino Marini took command of the torpedo-bomber group; early on, Marini set about planning a mission over Gibraltar.

1059:, in an attempt to answer some of the criticisms about the ability of the aircraft to operate at night, took off from 5275: 5260: 5200: 5195: 4871: 4856: 4826: 4752: 4730: 4677: 4662: 4584: 4522: 1105:

were encountered over the fortress-island Malta, at the centre of the Mediterranean, in June 1940. The first of many

942:

during autumn 1939. By the beginning of the Second World War, a total of 612 aircraft had been delivered, making the

4990: 3435: 2622: 1760: 1609:. Nine of the merchant ships and four of the warships were sunk, and others were damaged, but only the destroyer 2182:, notable Italian pilot, air marshal and military commander during the Second World War, who was shot down over 1075:

were required to escort the SM.79s, partly because the biplane fighters were too slow to keep up with the type.

924: 5371: 3099:

to North Africa. The 16 Sparvieros took off at 11:50 of 4 April 1941, but one of the eight aircraft of the 18ª

2876:

continued to suffer heavy losses in Africa. Initially used to harass light forces operating in the desert, the

348:

as the aircraft's powerplant; however, it was decided to revert to the less powerful 440 kW (590 hp)

2398:

transport conversion, powered by Piaggio P.XI RC.40 engines, with the dorsal and ventral machine guns removed.

5402: 5321: 2953: 1921:

Throughout the conflict, SM.79s were credited with the sinking of a number of Allied warships, including the

1583: 1547:

at all costs. Almost all Axis air potential was used against the first big Allied convoy of 1942, code-named

1092: 244: 4432: 4683:

Guttman, Jon. "A versatile bomber and reconnaissance plane: The Cant z.1007bis was Italy's wooden wonder."

2527: 2228: 4707:

Hervieux, Pierre. "Le Operazioni degli Aereosiluranti italiani e tedeschi nel Mediterraneo" (in Italian).

2252: 2211:

Favourable reports of the type's reliability and performance during the Spanish Civil War led to the 1938

826:

received specialised modifications for the purpose of establishing new speed records. The SM.79 prototype

3387: 3161:

There are two surviving complete SM.79s, both of which were donated by Lebanon to the Italian Air Force:

1717:

comprised just 61 aircraft, with only 22 serviceable. Almost all the available machines were sent to the

1261: 1209: 1900:

in October 1944 became operative again, with 10 aircraft. On 25 December 1944 they attacked a convoy in

740:

German medium bomber, which was only used as a ventral defensive armament mount on the German aircraft.

344:

concerns rather than for speed. Originally, there had been plans to adopt the 597 kW (801 hp)

5585: 5506: 2904:, with the loss of 432 men, including 53 members of the 9°. The wing was later re-formed with Z.1007s. 2846:, both carrying a full fuel load, collided and crashed, with the entire crew of nine killed on impact. 2199: 883: 349: 4982: 2164:, perhaps the most famous and highest scoring SM.79 pilot, who was involved in the torpedoing of the 1690: 1504: 1133:

from superior height, shooting off the port engine. The SM.79 caught fire and crashed in the sea off

477: 373: 266:

opted to procure the type for their own air services, while large numbers were also procured for the

962:. They were equipped with a total of around 350 SM.79s, including those used in training squadrons. 376:. Soon after, on 2 August 1935, the prototype established a new speed record by flying from Rome to 5565: 5395: 4881:(The Great Historical Planes series) N.2 (in Italian), West-ward editzioni, October–November. 2002. 4543:

Axworthy, Mark (September–October 1999). "Flank Guard: Romania's Advance on Stalingrad, Part Two".

4215: 3182: 3058: 2712: 2514:

operated one SM.79-I that had been captured during a counter-offensive in Albania in November 1940.

2204: 2161: 1643: 1548: 1043:, at the behest of Francisco Franco's rebel Nationalist faction. The bombing, under the code name ' 887: 345: 107: 2329:

The first production four- or five-seat bomber version powered by three 582 kW (780 hp)

1844:

Carlo Faggioni was killed. On 10 April 1944, four SM.79s took off to attack the Anzio bridgehead.

1160:. They were attacked by British Gladiators; during the ensuing engagement, one bomber, piloted by 870:

and reach Brazil. On 24 January 1938, the three aircraft took off; 11 hours later, they landed in

680: 661: 276:

in May 1940; thereafter, they were deployed in every theatre of war in which the Italians fought.

5305: 4272: 3440: 3352: 3194: 2637: 1398: 1252: 1017: 808: 689: 657: 571: 289: 4394: 1586:

destroyer, already damaged by two Italian cruisers, was sunk by pilot M. Aichner, also of 132nd

243:

in the world. As such, the SM.79 quickly came to be regarded as an item of national prestige in

5376: 5300: 5290: 5285: 5280: 5270: 5265: 5255: 5250: 5245: 5235: 5230: 5220: 5210: 5205: 5150: 2220: 2124: 1244: 1083: 920: 779: 761: 550:

for low (1,000 m, 3,300 ft) and high altitude (8,000 m, 26,000 ft), clock,

520: 333: 188: 68: 2158:

Guido Cimicchi, Dequal, Robone and Faggioni, who were some of the early torpedo bomber pilots.

2084:

on the Algerian mainland. Raffaelli later developed a simpler single-engined guided bomb, the

1702:

was retained for performing torpedo attacks, being considerably faster than its predecessors.

970: 5361: 5331: 5326: 5240: 5190: 5185: 5180: 5175: 5170: 5165: 5160: 5155: 5145: 5140: 5135: 5130: 4949: 4834:

Damned Hunchbacks: Italy's Forgotten Torpedo Bomber Units of the Second World War (1940–1943)

3502: 3327: 3103:

in the first wave had an accident and crashed on the airport strip. The other eight from 52ª

3046:: 23 July, one SM.79 (38th) and two (283rd) torpedo bombers and on the 25th, one SM.79 (89th 2705: 2584: 2395: 2212: 600: 468: 337: 321: 317: 4484: 3988: 3928: 3357:

2 × 12.7 mm (0.5 in) dorsal Breda-SAFAT machine gun 1 at the top, 1 in the belly (optional).

1397:(rendering her out of service for nine months for repair and refit) and later also sank the 247:, attracting significant government support and often being deployed as an element of state 5418: 5387: 5356: 5351: 5346: 5341: 3402: 2961: 2738: 2617: 2283: 2041: 1777: 1752: 1722: 1669: 1499:, whereas the most significant success of Italian torpedo bombers were the damaging of HMS 980: 665: 653: 437: 293: 227:'s distinctive dorsal "hump", and was reportedly well liked by its crews, who nicknamed it 204: 33: 4957: 4565:, No. 56, Winter 1994, pp. 8–27. Stamford, Lincs, UK: Key Publishing. ISSN 0143-5450. 4458: 688:

The defensive armament of the SM.79 initially consisted of four, later increased to five,

599:, giving the crew ample time to escape, and the front engine offered some protection from 363:, piloted by Adriano Bacula. Despite the company's ambitions, the prototype (registration 8: 4888:, July 1984, Vol 27 No 1. Bromley, Kent, UK: Fine Scroll. pp. 26–32. ISSN 0306-5634. 3095:

One such incident befell the ferry flight of 27th Gruppo. This unit was transferred from

3043: 3016: 2488: 2320: 2010: 1996: 1946: 1654: 1610: 1391: 1357: 1269: 1060: 939: 891: 645: 512: 3275: 1867:

The following data shows the decline in effectiveness of the SM.79 as a torpedo bomber:

5570: 5450: 4598:

Craciunoiu, Cristian (February 2002). "Deux des Savoia..." [Two of Savoia...].

3397: 3073: 2921: 2909: 2789: 2661: 2511: 2089: 2064: 1966: 1925: 1745: 1639: 1598: 1493: 1453: 1401: 725: 567: 551: 507:

style) to offset their relatively small size. The internal structure was made of three

500: 174: 3150: 3025: 2416:

with 1,029 kW (1,380 hp) Jumo 211F engines. Production continued until 1946.

1044: 492:

for all of the other exterior surfaces. The wings were of all-wood construction, with

5366: 4918: 4903: 4867: 4852: 4837: 4822: 4807: 4788: 4748: 4726: 4696: 4673: 4658: 4636: 4620: 4603: 4580: 4559:

Axworthy, Mark. "On Three Fronts: Romania's Aircraft Industry During World War Two".

4548: 4518: 3764: 3392: 2993: 2881: 2766: 2741:

operated four ex-Yugoslav SM.79s K in the Middle East, from May 1941 to November 1941

2690: 2611: 2031: 2003: 1939: 1932: 1817: 1647: 1590:. For years this victory was contested by the Italian Navy, who claimed to have sunk 1533: 1479: 1422: 1372: 1276: 1098: 1056: 989: 448: 268: 255: 167: 112: 92: 4383: 4340: 3232:

6 (pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer/gunner, radio operator, bombardier, rear gunner)

1442:

was torpedoed and damaged by a SM.79 which in turn was shot down. The 130° and 132°

511:

and plywood spars, linked with plywood ribs, with a skin of plywood. The wing had a

284:; in this role, the SM.79 achieved notable successes against Allied shipping in the 5532: 5336: 4736:

Malizia, Nicola. "L'Armamento dei Velivoli della Regia Aereonautica" (in Italian).

2932: 2898: 2603: 2256: 2173: 2128: 2038: 1832: 1313: 1102: 1068: 1009: 985: 959: 811: 804: 774: 637: 534:

The engines fitted to the main bomber version were three 582 kW (780 hp)

528: 480:. The fuselage used a welded tubular steel frame structure, which was covered with 313: 216: 73: 2224: 1446:

were also active during the autumn. On 24 October, they sank the merchant vessels

5544: 5493: 3479: 2734: 2683: 2588: 2300: 2271:(J for Jumo, R for Romania, S for Savoia). Another license-built version was the 2232: 2215:'s order of 45 aircraft generally similar to the SM.79-I variant, designated the 2024: 2017: 1635: 1486: 1436: 1426: 1411: 1280: 1029: 1012:, the unit was named "Falchi delle Baleari" (Balearic Falcons) and operated over 819: 496: 401: 381: 353: 292:

version of the aircraft flown by remote control was also developed, although the

4657:(Aircraft No. 71). Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1986. 4365:. Ed. Stato maggiore dell'Aeronautica, Ufficio Storico, Roma, 1998. pag. 175–179 3193:

In addition to the above complete examples, the remains of the SM.79 wrecked by

2815: 2219:. They were delivered to Yugoslavia in 1939, but most were destroyed during the 1793:(RSI) decided to continue using the SM.79s as torpedo-bombers. But only 15 more 5013: 4758:

Marcon, Tullio. "Gli Aereosiluranti britannici e il loro impiego"(in Italian).

4561: 3422: 3407: 3085: 2917: 2727: 2330: 2296: 2176:, he crashed during takeoff and died as a result of his injuries the day after. 1956: 1621: 1597:

August saw heavy attacks on the 14 merchant ships and 44 major warships of the

1322: 1305: 879: 867: 783: 737: 625: 535: 405: 397: 281: 53: 4962: 2259:

inline engines of 1,200 PS (883 kW). These aircraft were designated

1141:

Torrisi were rescued from the sea, but the other four crew members were lost.

644:, which was faster but still quite slow in relation to other escort fighters. 5554: 5465: 5455: 5114: 5078: 4700: 4624: 4607: 4552: 3417: 3412: 3198: 2957: 2946: 2794: 2434:

An SM.79 converted into a radio-controlled flying bomb, remotely guided by a

2348: 2187: 2060: 1993: 1986: 1983: 1628: 1544: 1408: 1352: 1345: 1256: 1149: 1040: 890:; this SM.79 remained there for some time, and was eventually donated to the 641: 596: 493: 360: 272:. Almost 600 SM.79-I and –II aircraft were in service when Italy entered the 240: 212: 49: 2491:

received two SM.79 aircraft and then bought another one of the same version.

1279:, then Yugoslavia. They continued to be hampered in their operations by the 907: 5520: 3278:

9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 642 kW (861 hp) each

2552: 2341: 2152: 2059:

reportedly came up with the idea of packing an SM.79 with explosives and a

1953: 1901: 757: 524: 504: 476:

The SM.79 was a cantilever low-wing monoplane trimotor, with a retractable

316:

started work on what would become the SM.79. The design team was headed by

273: 220: 4972: 3360:

2 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) machine guns in lateral "waist-gun" ports (optional)

3299:

460 km/h (290 mph, 250 kn) at 3,790 m (12,430 ft)

2376: 1848:

Faggioni's aircraft was hit by AA fire and crashed into the sea; only one

1545:

provide Malta with vital supplies and fuel through major convoy operations

3209: 2858: 2435: 2179: 2143: 2072: 1576: 1052: 1035:

On 26 April 1937, three SM.79 took part in the bombing of Basque town of

613: 586: 412: 336:, a militarised transport/bomber aircraft that was itself based upon the 304: 934:

came into use with 111° and 8° Wing. By the end of 1939, there were 388

807:, state support for aeronautical feats was maintained as one element of 332:

stood for passenger), was once intended to be a civil derivative of the

5470: 5460: 5445: 4459:"Airframe Dossier – Savoia-Marchetti SM-79 Flying Bomb, s/n L-112 LeAF" 3489: 3487: 2459: 1824:

was lost. On the night of 13–14 March five SM.79s repeated the attack.

1710: 1601:

convoy, the second Allied attempt to resupply Malta past Axis bombers,

1508: 1433: 1317: 1072: 862: 831:(242.09 mph), breaking six separate world records in the process. 815: 747:

A flight of four SM.79s showing their rear-cockpit mounted machine guns

708: 575: 555: 259: 248: 235: 5012: 4570:

Savoia Marchetti SM 79 Sparviero (le Macchine e la Storia – Profili 3)

2807: 5098: 5093: 5088: 5083: 5073: 5068: 5063: 5058: 5053: 5048: 5043: 5038: 4849:

In The Skies of Europe: Air Forces Allied to the Luftwaffe 1939–1945.

4539:(in Italian). Modena, Italy: Mucchi editore, (reprint) 1994. No ISBN. 3186: 3120:

of the 278th, which took off from Berka on 21 April 1941, piloted by

2889: 2560: 2304: 2081: 2076: 1922: 1861: 1771: 1740: 1602: 1425:

which resupplied Malta; unable to tow it to Malta it was scuttled by

1364: 1064: 1013: 787: 736:

emplacement on the main wartime production -P and -H subtypes of the

693: 608: 559: 547: 481: 368: 4714:

Leproni, Enrico. "Il Reparto Speciale Aereosiluranti" (in Italian).

3484: 1705:

Before the invasion, there was a large force of torpedo aircraft: 7

1390:. They sank two merchant ships, heavily damaged the British cruiser 1157: 1097:

The SM.79 began to lose its reputation for invulnerability when RAF

5033: 5028: 4772:

Massimello, Giovanni. "L'Aeroporto di Alghero, 1941 (in Italian)."

4532:. Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1967. No ISBN. 3130: 2865:, but one was shot down by anti-aircraft guns and became the first 1963: 1620:

were sunk by Italian torpedo bombers. Although damaged, the tanker

1283:, but also by poor weather conditions. Over the Mediterranean, the 1193: 1189: 1126: 1036: 842: 822:

and his government. Following a pair of initial successes, further

224: 208: 4928:

Tonicchi, Giuseppe. "Il 9° Stormo da Bombardamento" (in Italian).

4893:

Long Range Desert Group. The Story of its Work in Libya. 1940–1943

2096:, but with the fighter remotely guiding the bomber to its target. 1781:, where they served as passenger transports into the early 1950s. 1176:, came down in flames just behind the Knight's watchtower east of 4958:

U.S. War Department Report on SM.79 Torpedo Bomber (January 1943)

4723:

Iraq 1941: The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad

3135: 3121: 3096: 2862: 2782: 2244: 2068: 1885: 1806: 1802: 1674: 1606: 1153: 875: 563: 516: 485: 452: 377: 263: 4900:

Air War East Africa 1940–41 The RAF versus the Italian Air Force

2002:

twice, on 8 October 1940 and on 14 June 1942, the light cruiser

1519: 4917:. Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK: Boydell & Brewer, 1996. 3175: 2880:

were subsequently sent against the British advanced columns in

2504: 2481: 2413: 2409: 2292: 2272: 2268: 2248: 2183: 2093: 1905: 1889: 1810: 1775:. A small number of SM.79s remained in service in the post-war 1678: 1475: 1341: 1122: 1048: 846: 765: 523:, with over 1,715 kW (2,300 hp) available and a high 508: 489: 2092:

with a SM.79 or A.R.4 in an arrangement similar to the German

2080:

drone cruised along until it ran out of fuel and crashed into

978:

The SM.79 saw action for the first time when serving with the

4806:. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2014. (Combat Aircraft 106) 4787:. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2018. (Combat Aircraft 122) 4765:

Marcon, Tullio. "I Caccia Della Fleet Air Arm" (in Italian).

3139: 3011:, torpedo unit) was shot down on the 21st, another, from 34° 2759: 2451: 1897: 1732: 1421:(12,427 GRT)) was damaged by an SM.79 on 27 September during 1368: 1229: 871: 617: 389: 385: 5417: 4935:

Vigna, Achille. "L'Aereo Perduto nel Deserto" (in Italian).

4864:

Battle over Malta: Aircraft losses & crash sites 1940–42

3065:(torpedo-bombers) on 14 June. On 15 June another SM.79 (52° 1287:

were used in reconnaissance missions and anti-ship attacks.

352:, a derivative of the license-produced model of the British 4646:

Emiliani, Angelo. "Il Volo e la Scaramanzia" (in Italian).

4633:

Gladiators over Malta: The Story of Faith, Hope and Charity

3126: 2577: 2319:

Prototype S.79P (civil variant), powered by radial engines

1575:

was sunk by SM.79s of the 132nd, and finally the day after

1213: 1208:

was the only type present that had not participated in the

996:

started its operational service at the end of 1936 when 8°

743: 1638:, 9 December was a successful day when four SM.79s sank a 4819:

The Hamlyn Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II

4615:

Craciunoiu, Cristian (March 2002). "Deux des Savoia...".

4517:(Sampson Low Guides). Maidenhead, UK: Sampson Low, 1978. 2247:

government decided to place an order for 24 twin-engined

2897:, but on 14 January 1941 the ship was sunk by submarine 359:

On 28 September 1934, the prototype SM.79 conducted its

4331:"Lo 'Sparviero' insabbiato. La storia della M.M. 23881" 3525: 3523: 3061:: Fulmars and Sea Hurricanes downed four SM.79s of 36° 2849:

At the beginning of World War II, on 13 June 1940, six

2104:

Among the men who became famous through serving in the

1728:, which was hit and put out of combat for many months. 732:

was somewhat similar to the almost identically located

590:

Close-up view of the SM.79's nose-mounted center engine

527:

that gave it characteristics not dissimilar to a large

4590:

Cernuschi, Enrico. "Attacco Alla Rocca" (in Italian).

782:(its intended successor) and the lack of power of the 5504: 4687:. Norcross, Georgia: Primedia Publication, July 1999. 4530:

The Reggiane Re.2000 (Aircraft in Profile Number 123)

3864: 3837: 3537: 3535: 2941:

1 August 1940: an SM.79 was shot down by a Skua from

1972:

on 9 December 1942, the auxiliary anti-aircraft ship

1884:

During July 1944, several SM.79s were transferred to

958:(Wings) were based in Italy, and participated in the 396:

which had been originally installed were replaced by

324:). The design, which was initially designated as the 234:

The SM.79 was developed in the early 1930s. It was a

4953:

entry on The Aviation History On-Line Museum website

4851:

Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press, 2000.

4579:. Malta: Modelaid International Publications, 1996. 3903: 3894: 3520: 3511: 3197:

R patrol are still at the western landing ground at

1852:

was able to return to base. Immediately thereafter,

1642:

and a merchant ship, with the loss of one aircraft.

1016:

and the main cities of eastern Spain, attacking the

930:

Following its service in the Spanish Civil War, the

841:

A group of five SM.79CSs went on to enter the Paris-

219:. It may be the best-known Italian aeroplane of the 3382:

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

2981:12–14 October 1940, Operation MW 2: two SM.79 (36° 1008:Riccardo Seidl, was sent to Spain. Deployed to the 484:on the forward section, a mixture of duralumin and 3821: 3819: 3763:. Los Angeles: Aero Publishers. pp. 264–267. 3532: 3372:an external 450-millimetre (17.72 in) torpedo 1916: 1268:were used for defensive tasks, such as countering 684:Internal view from nose gun of twin engine version 4190: 4183: 4181: 4100: 2251:bombers, fitted with 746 kW (1,000 hp) 1896:. After a time, the RSI torpedo-bombers based in 356:, on which many of Piaggio's engines were based. 5552: 4535:Arena, Nino, Alberto Borgiotti and Cesare Gori. 4116: 4114: 4112: 4075: 4073: 4071: 4069: 4067: 4065: 4063: 4026: 4024: 4022: 4020: 4018: 4008: 4006: 4004: 4002: 4000: 3975: 3973: 1458:, on 23 November they sank the merchant vessels 1109:shot down over Malta fell on 22 June. That day, 384:, in 12 flying hours (with a refuelling stop at 4691:Hartoch, Noam (Summer 2023). "Lebanese Hawks". 4572:(in Italian). Modena, Italy: STEM-Mucchi, 1975. 3816: 2291:A number of twin-engined versions were sold to 2050: 1275:From autumn 1940, SM.79s were used against the 1039:, carried out with the Nazi German Luftwaffe's 223:. The SM.79 was easily recognizable due to its 215:developed and manufactured by aviation company 4915:Fascist Eagle: Italy's Air Marshal Italo Balbo 4902:. Barnsley, UK: Pen and Sword Aviation, 2009. 4178: 4123: 4082: 3994:11 August 1948. p4490. via Hyperwar Foundation 3761:Italian civil and military aircraft, 1930-1945 3718: 2326:SM.79-I (also known as S.79K or S.79 Militare) 5403: 4998: 4199: 4109: 4060: 4015: 3997: 3970: 3963: 3961: 3959: 3736: 3734: 3732: 3730: 3711: 3709: 3654: 3305:2,600 km (1,600 mi, 1,400 nmi) 3204: 2811:A SM.79 following a crash landing, circa 1940 1272:teams in the desert, and in anti-ship roles. 946:the most numerous bomber in the whole of the 404:engine); during 1936, these were replaced by 4617:Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire 4600:Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire 3873: 3015:was shot down the next day, by Fulmars from 2802: 400:(this was a license-produced version of the 3694: 3616: 3614: 3586: 3584: 3582: 2931:) was downed by a Gloster Sea Gladiator of 2231:, and four which became AX702-AX705 in the 1816:The first missions attempted to oppose the 1684:Prior to 1943, the survival chances of the 1627:, a key part of the convoy, was towed into 1087:SM.79 attacking a convoy heading for Malta. 803:Although Italy did not win the prestigious 5410: 5396: 5005: 4991: 4614: 4597: 4485:"October 2003 Expedition to Jebel Uweinat" 4171: 4169: 4167: 4139: 4137: 4135: 3956: 3947: 3929:"October 2003 expedition to Jebel Uweinat" 3912: 3887: 3885: 3828: 3727: 3706: 2408:by Romania), followed by 36 license built 1466:, and on 11 December they heavily damaged 1371:, when Buscaglia damaged another cruiser, 1290: 878:, where they refuelled before heading for 798: 5014:SIAI, Savoia-Marchetti and SIAI-Marchetti 4968:Radio Controlled Scale Model Italian Text 4884:"S.79: The Hunchbacked Sparrow: Part 1". 4594:, Parma: Albertelli Editions, April 2009. 4256: 3855: 3809: 3807: 3687: 3685: 3683: 3681: 3679: 3677: 3675: 3651:. Milano: Mondadori Electa Editori, 2006. 3181:MM45508 – SM.79 on static display at the 3170:MM24499 – SM.79 on static display at the 2737:- After the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia, 1784: 1047:', opened the way to Franco's capture of 1004:XXVII° and XXVIII°, under the command of 818:campaign to promote and win prestige for 4978:Video from wreck Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79 4776:, Albertelli Editions, Parma, June 2009. 4672:. Ottawa, Ontario: Octopus Books, 1980. 4542: 3786: 3758: 3649:Aerei Militari: Bombardieri e Transporti 3623: 3611: 3602: 3579: 3570: 3563: 3561: 3559: 3557: 3555: 3553: 3551: 3549: 3547: 3149: 2814: 2806: 2458: 2450: 2375: 2347: 2287:Savoia Marchetti SM.79 Bs Iraq Air force 2282: 2198: 2030:on 23 September 1941, the light cruiser 1668: 1540:by an aircraft flown by Carlo Faggioni. 1518: 1417:was damaged. The large merchant ship SS 1234: 1188:A small number of SM.79s saw service in 1082: 969: 906: 742: 679: 585: 467: 303: 4725:. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2006. 4690: 4368: 4287: 4164: 4132: 4091: 4042: 3882: 3632: 3368:1,200 kg (2,645 lb) internal bomb load 2539:operated a few ex-Yugoslavian aircraft. 2536:Zrakoplovstvo Nezavisne Države Hrvatske 2303:(four with 768 kW (1,030 hp) 1653:was torpedoed and badly damaged during 1551:. 14 June saw the second torpedoing of 488:across the upper fuselage surface, and 312:In 1934, Italian aircraft manufacturer 5553: 4747:. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1998. 4515:World Aircraft: World War II, Volume I 4513:Angelucci, Enzo and Paolo Matricardi. 4216:"Savoia-Marchetti S.M. 79-I Sparviero" 3804: 3672: 3663: 3493:Angelucci and Matricardi 1978, p. 198. 3050:) were shot down, all by Fulmars from 2295:(three with 694 kW (931 hp) 2099: 2009:on 7 December 1940, the light cruiser 793: 668:serving in the Mediterranean hindered 428:standing for race) and the long-range 254:The SM.79 first saw combat during the 5391: 4986: 4635:. Malta: Wise Owl Publication, 2008. 4412:Museo dell'Aeronautica Gianni Caproni 4296: 3544: 3323:165 kg/m (34 lb/sq ft) 3156:Museo dell'Aeronautica Gianni Caproni 3145: 2455:SM.79 of the Yugoslav Royal Air Force 4568:Borgiotti, Alberto and Cesare Gori. 4323: 4253:. Penguin Books. 2006. London. p.938 3176:Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 3172:Gianni Caproni Museum of Aeronautics 965: 897: 751:As with the Luftwaffe's He 111, the 4898:Sutherland, Jon and Diane Canwell. 4718:, Albertelli editzioni, March 1995. 3332:0.173 kW/kg (0.105 hp/lb) 2819:A heavily damaged SM.79, circa 1943 2564:operated several captured aircraft. 2016:on 23 July 1941, the light cruiser 607:The bomber version had 10 separate 13: 3446:List of interwar military aircraft 3284:3-bladed variable-pitch propellers 3244:20.2 m (66 ft 3 in) 3238:16.2 m (53 ft 2 in) 3208: 3007:20–22 April 1941: one SM.79 (278ª 2927:. On 11 July, another SM.79 (90th 2646:Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana 2587:operated four aircraft during the 2075:guide plane and an escort of five 2063:device. On 12 August 1942, as the 2023:on 27 August 1941, the battleship 1766:Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana 724:The cramped layout of the ventral 102:Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana 14: 5602: 4943: 4745:British Warplanes of World War II 4631:Cull, Brian and Frederick Galea. 4311:Marcon, I caccia F.A., pp. 23–26. 3256:61.7 m (664 sq ft) 3250:4.1 m (13 ft 5 in) 2974:4 September: another SM.79 (34th 2769:operated some aircraft until 1955 2428:Long-range VIP transport version. 2412:powered by the Jumo 211Da and 36 1673:A pair of S.M.79s in flight over 1255:at the western landing ground at 1183: 988:'s Nationalist forces during the 984:, an Italian unit sent to assist 5538: 5526: 5514: 4821:. New York: Bounty Books, 2006. 4537:Savoia Marchetti SM 79 Sparviero 3506:Aviation History On-Line Museum. 3436:List of aircraft of World War II 3317:5.3 m/s (1,040 ft/min) 2775: 2752: 2720: 2698: 2676: 2654: 2630: 2623:Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force 2596: 2570: 2545: 2520: 2497: 2474: 2155:became a designer after the war. 1761:Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force 1739:attempted a strategic attack on 1503:and of some cruisers. After the 1304:formally commenced service as a 286:Mediterranean theatre of the war 32: 4740:September 1999, pp. 33–39. 4655:Savoia Marchetti S.79 in Action 4507: 4489:Fliegel Jezerniczky Expeditions 4477: 4451: 4425: 4400: 4388: 4377: 4355: 4314: 4305: 4265: 4243: 4234: 4208: 4155: 4146: 4051: 4033: 3989:Mediterranean Convoy Operations 3982: 3933:Fliegel Jezerniczky Expeditions 3921: 3870:Cull and Galea 2008, pp. 45–46. 3846: 3795: 3777: 3752: 3743: 3641: 3593: 3268:10,050 kg (22,156 lb) 3116:Another such incident involved 1945:on 16 June 1942, the destroyer 1938:on 15 June 1942, the destroyer 1931:on 23 July 1941, the destroyer 1917:Results against Allied warships 1634:By winter 1942, in contrast to 1239:A crashed SM.79 in North Africa 902: 3759:Thompson, Jonathan W. (1963). 3496: 3463: 3262:7,700 kg (16,976 lb) 2985:) were downed by Fulmars from 1769:or were incorporated into the 1731:SM.79s were not equipped with 1478:attacks, with the damaging of 1174:Stormo Bombardamento Terrestre 1000:(Bombardamento Tattico), with 581: 299: 16:Italian medium bomber airplane 1: 5576:1930s Italian bomber aircraft 4836:, Warwick, UK: Helion, 2023. 4363:Buscaglia e gli Aerosiluranti 4336:Gruppo Amici Velivoli Storici 3451: 3351:1 × 12.7 mm (0.5 in) forward 3311:7,500 m (24,600 ft) 2194: 2037:on 18 November 1942, and the 1093:Siege of Malta (World War II) 5591:Aircraft first flown in 1934 5581:World War II Italian bombers 4895:. London, UK: Collins, 1945. 3508:Retrieved: 26 December 2011. 3456: 3111: 3076:: two SM.79s (109° and 132° 2528:Independent State of Croatia 2446: 2265:Industria Aeronautică Română 2067:convoy was steaming off the 2051:Radio controlled flying bomb 1719:Raggruppamento Aerosiluranti 1567:, or forward as happened to 1432:. In the same Operation the 374:Certificate of Airworthiness 7: 4866:. Sutton Publishing, 2000. 4320:Massimello 2009, pp. 22–24. 3388:Armstrong Whitworth Whitley 3376: 3080:) were downed on 12 August. 2884:. On 16 December 1940, six 2310: 1791:Repubblica Sociale Italiana 1693:with an immense fleet. The 1325:in 1914, 26 years earlier. 1262:Second Battle of El Alamein 1210:Second Italo-Abyssinian War 675: 672:operations during the day. 616:with non-stop flights from 463: 346:Isotta-Fraschini Asso XI Ri 10: 5607: 4693:Air-Britain Aviation World 4619:(in French) (108): 18–29. 3205:Specifications (SM.79-III) 2238: 1992:on 18 September 1940, the 1894:Gruppo O.M. Carlo Faggioni 1137:. The pilot, Solimene, and 1090: 350:Piaggio Stella P.IX R.C.40 5561:Savoia-Marchetti aircraft 5479: 5426: 5314: 5123: 5107: 5021: 4602:(in French) (107): 7–16. 4491:. Fliegel Jezerniczky Ltd 4187:Axworthy 1994, pp. 21–22. 3953:Apostolo 1967, pp. 12–13. 3935:. Fliegel Jezerniczky Ltd 3861:Apostolo 1967, pp. 7, 10. 3834:Apostolo 1967, pp. 11–12. 3576:Apostolo 1967, pp. 3, 10. 3503:"Savoia-Marchetti SM.79." 3470:"Savoia-Marchetti SM.79." 3000:downed two SM.79s of 30° 2803:Mishaps and combat losses 2352:Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79-I 2278: 2253:Gnome-Rhône Mistral Major 1962:on 10 November 1942, the 1789:After the Armistice, the 1751:On 8 September, when the 1616:and the merchant ship MV 1333:just a few years before. 478:taildragger undercarriage 472:A head-on view of a SM.79 458: 184: 159: 151: 143: 135: 130: 122: 87: 79: 67: 59: 45: 40: 31: 23: 4408:"Savoia Marchetti Sm 79" 4152:Guttman 1999, pp. 12–18. 3843:Arena et al. 1994, p. 8. 3529:Arena et al. 1994, p. 9. 3517:Arena et al. 1994, p. 7. 3183:Italian Air Force Museum 2978:) was downed by Fulmars. 2713:Yugoslav Royal Air Force 2669:Royal Romanian Air Force 2512:Royal Hellenic Air Force 2380:Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79B 2205:Royal Yugoslav Air Force 2162:Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia 2129:Marshal Rodolfo Graziani 2071:coast, a SM.79 drone, a 1644:Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia 1164:Felice Filippi from 195 1078: 690:Breda-SAFAT machine guns 658:Lockheed P-38 Lightnings 556:vertical speed indicator 108:Royal Romanian Air Force 4670:Aircraft of World War 2 4196:Neulen 2000, pp. 91–92. 4106:Neulen 2000, pp. 80–81. 3909:Sutherland 2009, p. 33. 3900:Sutherland 2009, p. 32. 3792:Apostolo 1967, pp. 3–7. 3629:Apostolo 1967, pp. 5–7. 3620:Apostolo 1967, pp. 4–5. 3608:Apostolo 1967, pp. 3–4. 3441:List of bomber aircraft 3353:Breda-SAFAT machine gun 3223:General characteristics 2996:: a single Fulmar from 2638:Italian Social Republic 2422:Version for Yugoslavia. 1952:on 13 August 1942, the 1748:, on 7 September 1943. 1664: 1514: 1381: 1295: 1291:Use as a torpedo bomber 1253:Long Range Desert Group 1018:Second Spanish Republic 799:Record-setting aircraft 572:turn and bank indicator 538:radials, equipped with 198:Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 4951:Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 4800:Savoia-Marchetti S.79 4781:Savoia-Marchetti S.79 4743:March, Daniel J., ed. 3478:23 August 2010 at the 3213: 3158: 2820: 2812: 2464: 2456: 2381: 2353: 2288: 2208: 2125:Giulio Cesare Graziani 1785:RSI service: 1943–1945 1681: 1524: 1507:by Italian frogmen of 1245:North African campaign 1240: 1088: 975: 912: 911:Lines of parked SM.79s 809:Italian Prime Minister 756:bombs, or hundreds of 748: 685: 591: 473: 334:Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 309: 308:Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 231:("damned hunchback"). 189:Savoia-Marchetti SM.84 4847:Neulen, Hans Werner. 4302:Tonicchi 1997, p. 42. 4293:Emiliani 2000, p. 16. 4251:The Spanish Civil War 4175:Apostolo 1967, p. 11. 4143:Apostolo 1967, p. 16. 4097:Apostolo 1967, p. 14. 4079:Hervieux 1997, p. 15. 4048:Apostolo 1967, p. 13. 4039:Hervieux 1997, p. 12. 3891:Apostolo 1967, p. 12. 3852:Sgarlato 2002, p. 13. 3825:Sgarlato 2002, p. 18. 3749:Sgarlato 2002, p. 22. 3740:Sgarlato 2002, p. 45. 3724:Gunston 1980, p. 183. 3715:Sgarlato 2002, p. 21. 3638:Apostolo 1967, p. 10. 3212: 3153: 3032:) were downed by the 2818: 2810: 2706:Kingdom of Yugoslavia 2585:Royal Iraqi Air Force 2462: 2454: 2379: 2351: 2286: 2267:(IAR) and designated 2213:Kingdom of Yugoslavia 2202: 2055:During 1942, General 1691:Allies invaded Sicily 1672: 1640:Flower-class corvette 1522: 1485:, and the sinking of 1300:On 25 July 1940, the 1238: 1216:. The SM.79 flown by 1086: 973: 940:occupation of Albania 910: 746: 683: 666:Supermarine Spitfires 589: 471: 406:Alfa Romeo 126 RC.34s 398:Alfa Romeo 125 RC.35s 338:Savoia-Marchetti S.73 322:London-Melbourne race 318:aeronautical engineer 307: 5419:Spanish Armed Forces 4937:Storia Militare N.10 4930:Storia Militare N.46 4804:Torpedo-Bomber Units 4767:Storia Militare N.54 4716:Storia Militare N.18 4709:Storia Militare N.42 4695:. pp. 116–117. 4648:Storia Militare N.77 4575:Caruana, Richard J. 4437:Aeronautica Militare 4129:Neulenn 2000, p. 17. 4088:Neulenn 2000, p. 80. 4057:Herveux 1997, p. 14. 3813:Apostolo 1967, p. 7. 3801:Sgarlato 2002, p. 6. 3783:Hervieux 1997, p. 5. 3691:Apostolo 1967, p. 4. 3669:Apostolo 1967, p. 5. 3660:Gunston 1980, p. 22. 3599:Sgarlato 2002, p. 5. 3590:Sgarlato 2002, p. 4. 3567:Apostolo 1967, p. 3. 3541:Mondey 1996, p. 236. 3403:Handley Page Hampden 3084:The total number of 2869:downed in that war. 2739:No. 117 Squadron RAF 2618:Aviazione Legionaria 2331:Alfa Romeo 126 RC.34 2297:Alfa Romeo 128 RC.18 2057:Ferdinando Raffaelli 1979:on 29 January 1943. 1778:Aeronautica Militare 1753:Armistice with Italy 1543:The Allies aimed to 1129:Burges attacked the 1022:Aviazione Legionaria 981:Aviazione Legionaria 646:Bristol Beaufighters 536:Alfa Romeo 126 RC.34 294:Armistice with Italy 5481:Bombardero Vertical 5421:bomber designations 4685:World War II Review 4653:Gentilli, Roberto. 4528:Apostolo, Giorgio. 4384:Photos of the wreck 4273:"Italian Air Force" 4205:Neulen 2000, p. 92. 4120:Neulen 2000, p. 81. 4030:Neulen 2000, p. 80. 3979:Neulen 2000, p. 52. 3879:Rogers 2000, p. 57. 3647:Matricardi, Paolo. 3072:10–15 August 1942, 3044:Operation Substance 2945:. This was General 2489:Brazilian Air Force 2321:Piaggio Stella P.IX 2100:Notable crewmembers 1755:was announced, the 1655:Operation Stone Age 892:Brazilian Air Force 888:Northeastern Brazil 794:Operational history 652:in night missions. 41:General information 4963:YouTube about S.79 4577:Victory in the Air 4465:. AerialVisuals.ca 4374:Vigna 1994, p. 21. 4361:Orazio Giuffrida. 4240:Lyman 2006, p. 26. 4220:Πολεμική Αεροπορία 4161:Taylor 1996, p. 2. 3398:Fiat BR.20 Cicogna 3214: 3159: 3146:Surviving aircraft 3074:Operation Pedestal 2960:fighters based on 2916:) was downed by a 2912:, one SM.79 (38th 2910:Battle of Calabria 2821: 2813: 2790:Lebanese Air Force 2662:Kingdom of Romania 2465: 2457: 2382: 2354: 2289: 2221:1941 Axis invasion 2209: 2065:Operation Pedestal 1682: 1599:Operation Pedestal 1532:was also used for 1525: 1505:Raid on Alexandria 1344:. One torpedo hit 1241: 1099:Gloster Gladiators 1089: 1006:Tenente Colonnello 976: 948:Regia Aereonautica 913: 749: 686: 592: 568:artificial horizon 501:leading edge slats 474: 310: 229:il gobbo maledetto 175:Lebanese Air Force 5586:Low-wing aircraft 5502: 5501: 5487: 5434: 5385: 5384: 4923:978-1-57510-012-8 4908:978-1-84415-816-4 4886:Air International 4862:Rogers, Anthony. 4842:978-1-804512-37-1 4812:978-1-78200-807-1 4798:Mattioli, Marco. 4793:978-1-4728-1883-6 4779:Mattioli, Marco. 4641:978-99932-92-78-4 4262:March 1998, p.252 3918:Shaw 1945, p. 49. 3703:July 1984, p. 27. 3701:Air International 3393:Douglas B-18 Bolo 3059:Operation Harpoon 3057:12–17 June 1942, 3042:21–25 July 1941, 3028:: two SM.79s (38° 2994:Battle of Taranto 2992:10 January 1941, 2882:Operation Compass 2767:Italian Air Force 2691:Spanish Air Force 2612:Regia Aeronautica 2431:SM.79 Flying Bomb 2243:During 1937, the 2106:Regia Aeronautica 2047:on 16 July 1943. 1913:Dalmatian coast. 1799:Regia Aeronautica 1757:Regia Aeronautica 1737:Regia Aeronautica 1549:Operation Harpoon 1423:Operation Halberd 1399:F-class destroyer 1323:aerial torpedoing 1277:Kingdom of Greece 1249:Regia Aeronautica 1178:Fort San Leonardo 1139:1° Aviere Armiere 1113:M.M.22068 of 216 1103:Hawker Hurricanes 990:Spanish Civil War 966:Spanish Civil War 898:Regia Aeronautica 449:Aeronautica Umbra 269:Regia Aeronautica 256:Spanish Civil War 194: 193: 168:Italian Air Force 155:28 September 1934 144:Introduction date 113:Spanish Air Force 93:Regia Aeronautica 5598: 5543: 5542: 5541: 5531: 5530: 5529: 5519: 5518: 5517: 5510: 5485: 5432: 5412: 5405: 5398: 5389: 5388: 5124:Savoia-Marchetti 5007: 5000: 4993: 4984: 4983: 4913:Taylor, Blaine. 4877:Sgarlato, Nico. 4704: 4650:, February 2000. 4628: 4611: 4556: 4501: 4500: 4498: 4496: 4481: 4475: 4474: 4472: 4470: 4455: 4449: 4448: 4446: 4444: 4429: 4423: 4422: 4420: 4418: 4404: 4398: 4395:Storia militare. 4392: 4386: 4381: 4375: 4372: 4366: 4359: 4353: 4352: 4350: 4348: 4343:on 24 April 2008 4339:. Archived from 4327: 4321: 4318: 4312: 4309: 4303: 4300: 4294: 4291: 4285: 4284: 4282: 4280: 4269: 4263: 4260: 4254: 4247: 4241: 4238: 4232: 4231: 4229: 4227: 4212: 4206: 4203: 4197: 4194: 4188: 4185: 4176: 4173: 4162: 4159: 4153: 4150: 4144: 4141: 4130: 4127: 4121: 4118: 4107: 4104: 4098: 4095: 4089: 4086: 4080: 4077: 4058: 4055: 4049: 4046: 4040: 4037: 4031: 4028: 4013: 4010: 3995: 3986: 3980: 3977: 3968: 3965: 3954: 3951: 3945: 3944: 3942: 3940: 3925: 3919: 3916: 3910: 3907: 3901: 3898: 3892: 3889: 3880: 3877: 3871: 3868: 3862: 3859: 3853: 3850: 3844: 3841: 3835: 3832: 3826: 3823: 3814: 3811: 3802: 3799: 3793: 3790: 3784: 3781: 3775: 3774: 3756: 3750: 3747: 3741: 3738: 3725: 3722: 3716: 3713: 3704: 3698: 3692: 3689: 3670: 3667: 3661: 3658: 3652: 3645: 3639: 3636: 3630: 3627: 3621: 3618: 3609: 3606: 3600: 3597: 3591: 3588: 3577: 3574: 3568: 3565: 3542: 3539: 3530: 3527: 3518: 3515: 3509: 3500: 3494: 3491: 3482: 3467: 3340: 3309:Service ceiling: 3292: 3225: 3187:Bracciano, Lazio 3069:) was shot down. 3038: 2908:9–11 July 1940: 2895:Città di Messina 2826:In Spain, SM.79 2781: 2779: 2778: 2758: 2756: 2755: 2726: 2724: 2723: 2704: 2702: 2701: 2682: 2680: 2679: 2660: 2658: 2657: 2636: 2634: 2633: 2604:Kingdom of Italy 2602: 2600: 2599: 2576: 2574: 2573: 2551: 2549: 2548: 2526: 2524: 2523: 2503: 2501: 2500: 2480: 2478: 2477: 2307:RC.14 engines). 2257:Junkers Jumo 211 2174:Martin Baltimore 2039:aircraft carrier 1829:Gruppo Buscaglia 1803:Merna di Gorizia 1713:, the other six 1069:Balearic Islands 1030:Polikarpov I-16s 1010:Balearic Islands 960:Battle of France 812:Benito Mussolini 805:Schneider Trophy 703: 662:Grumman Martlets 638:Hawker Hurricane 314:Savoia-Marchetti 288:. A specialised 274:Second World War 221:Second World War 217:Savoia-Marchetti 74:Savoia-Marchetti 36: 21: 20: 5606: 5605: 5601: 5600: 5599: 5597: 5596: 5595: 5566:Racing aircraft 5551: 5550: 5549: 5539: 5537: 5527: 5525: 5515: 5513: 5505: 5503: 5498: 5484: 5475: 5431: 5422: 5416: 5386: 5381: 5310: 5119: 5103: 5017: 5011: 4946: 4832:Morisi, Paolo. 4817:Mondey, David. 4774:Storia Militare 4762:, October 1996. 4760:Storia Militare 4738:Storia Militare 4721:Lyman, Robert. 4668:Gunston, Bill. 4592:Storia Militare 4510: 4505: 4504: 4494: 4492: 4483: 4482: 4478: 4468: 4466: 4457: 4456: 4452: 4442: 4440: 4431: 4430: 4426: 4416: 4414: 4406: 4405: 4401: 4393: 4389: 4382: 4378: 4373: 4369: 4360: 4356: 4346: 4344: 4329: 4328: 4324: 4319: 4315: 4310: 4306: 4301: 4297: 4292: 4288: 4278: 4276: 4271: 4270: 4266: 4261: 4257: 4248: 4244: 4239: 4235: 4225: 4223: 4214: 4213: 4209: 4204: 4200: 4195: 4191: 4186: 4179: 4174: 4165: 4160: 4156: 4151: 4147: 4142: 4133: 4128: 4124: 4119: 4110: 4105: 4101: 4096: 4092: 4087: 4083: 4078: 4061: 4056: 4052: 4047: 4043: 4038: 4034: 4029: 4016: 4011: 3998: 3987: 3983: 3978: 3971: 3966: 3957: 3952: 3948: 3938: 3936: 3927: 3926: 3922: 3917: 3913: 3908: 3904: 3899: 3895: 3890: 3883: 3878: 3874: 3869: 3865: 3860: 3856: 3851: 3847: 3842: 3838: 3833: 3829: 3824: 3817: 3812: 3805: 3800: 3796: 3791: 3787: 3782: 3778: 3771: 3757: 3753: 3748: 3744: 3739: 3728: 3723: 3719: 3714: 3707: 3699: 3695: 3690: 3673: 3668: 3664: 3659: 3655: 3646: 3642: 3637: 3633: 3628: 3624: 3619: 3612: 3607: 3603: 3598: 3594: 3589: 3580: 3575: 3571: 3566: 3545: 3540: 3533: 3528: 3521: 3516: 3512: 3501: 3497: 3492: 3485: 3480:Wayback Machine 3468: 3464: 3459: 3454: 3379: 3348: 3341: 3336: 3288: 3276:Alfa 128 R.C.18 3221: 3207: 3148: 3114: 3036: 3026:Operation Tiger 2888:were sent over 2805: 2776: 2774: 2753: 2751: 2735:Royal Air Force 2721: 2719: 2699: 2697: 2677: 2675: 2655: 2653: 2631: 2629: 2597: 2595: 2589:Anglo-Iraqi War 2571: 2569: 2546: 2544: 2521: 2519: 2498: 2496: 2475: 2473: 2449: 2313: 2281: 2241: 2197: 2102: 2086:Ambrosini A.R.4 2082:Mount Khenchela 2053: 1919: 1787: 1667: 1636:Operation Torch 1517: 1455:Empire Defender 1384: 1351:, damaging the 1298: 1293: 1281:Royal Air Force 1186: 1095: 1081: 1045:Operation Rügen 974:SM.79 in flight 968: 905: 900: 801: 796: 701: 678: 584: 578:and throttles. 515:of 2° 15'. The 466: 461: 402:Bristol Pegasus 382:Italian Eritrea 354:Bristol Jupiter 302: 180: 118: 117: 60:National origin 17: 12: 11: 5: 5604: 5594: 5593: 5588: 5583: 5578: 5573: 5568: 5563: 5548: 5547: 5535: 5523: 5500: 5499: 5497: 5496: 5490: 5488: 5477: 5476: 5474: 5473: 5468: 5463: 5458: 5453: 5448: 5443: 5437: 5435: 5424: 5423: 5415: 5414: 5407: 5400: 5392: 5383: 5382: 5380: 5379: 5374: 5369: 5364: 5359: 5354: 5349: 5344: 5339: 5334: 5329: 5324: 5318: 5316: 5315:SIAI-Marchetti 5312: 5311: 5309: 5308: 5303: 5298: 5293: 5288: 5283: 5278: 5273: 5268: 5263: 5258: 5253: 5248: 5243: 5238: 5233: 5228: 5223: 5218: 5213: 5208: 5203: 5198: 5193: 5188: 5183: 5178: 5173: 5168: 5163: 5158: 5153: 5148: 5143: 5138: 5133: 5127: 5125: 5121: 5120: 5118: 5117: 5111: 5109: 5105: 5104: 5102: 5101: 5096: 5091: 5086: 5081: 5076: 5071: 5066: 5061: 5056: 5051: 5046: 5041: 5036: 5031: 5025: 5023: 5019: 5018: 5010: 5009: 5002: 4995: 4987: 4981: 4980: 4975: 4970: 4965: 4960: 4955: 4945: 4944:External links 4942: 4941: 4940: 4933: 4926: 4911: 4896: 4889: 4882: 4875: 4860: 4845: 4830: 4815: 4796: 4777: 4770: 4763: 4756: 4741: 4734: 4719: 4712: 4705: 4688: 4681: 4666: 4651: 4644: 4629: 4612: 4595: 4588: 4573: 4566: 4562:Air Enthusiast 4557: 4545:Air Enthusiast 4540: 4533: 4526: 4509: 4506: 4503: 4502: 4476: 4463:Aerial Visuals 4450: 4424: 4399: 4387: 4376: 4367: 4354: 4322: 4313: 4304: 4295: 4286: 4264: 4255: 4249:Thomas, Hugh. 4242: 4233: 4207: 4198: 4189: 4177: 4163: 4154: 4145: 4131: 4122: 4108: 4099: 4090: 4081: 4059: 4050: 4041: 4032: 4014: 3996: 3992:London Gazette 3981: 3969: 3955: 3946: 3920: 3911: 3902: 3893: 3881: 3872: 3863: 3854: 3845: 3836: 3827: 3815: 3803: 3794: 3785: 3776: 3770:978-1258434601 3769: 3751: 3742: 3726: 3717: 3705: 3693: 3671: 3662: 3653: 3640: 3631: 3622: 3610: 3601: 3592: 3578: 3569: 3543: 3531: 3519: 3510: 3495: 3483: 3461: 3460: 3458: 3455: 3453: 3450: 3449: 3448: 3443: 3438: 3427: 3426: 3423:Mitsubishi G3M 3420: 3415: 3410: 3408:Heinkel He 111 3405: 3400: 3395: 3390: 3378: 3375: 3374: 3373: 3363: 3362: 3361: 3358: 3355: 3334: 3333: 3324: 3318: 3315:Rate of climb: 3312: 3306: 3300: 3297:Maximum speed: 3286: 3285: 3279: 3269: 3263: 3257: 3251: 3245: 3239: 3233: 3206: 3203: 3191: 3190: 3179: 3167: 3166: 3147: 3144: 3113: 3110: 3086:reconnaissance 3082: 3081: 3070: 3055: 3040: 3022: 3005: 2990: 2979: 2972: 2954:Operation Hats 2950: 2939: 2918:Blackburn Skua 2857:(Wing) bombed 2804: 2801: 2800: 2799: 2786: 2785: 2771: 2770: 2763: 2762: 2749: 2747: 2743: 2742: 2731: 2730: 2728:United Kingdom 2716: 2715: 2709: 2708: 2694: 2693: 2687: 2686: 2672: 2671: 2665: 2664: 2650: 2649: 2641: 2640: 2626: 2625: 2620: 2615: 2607: 2606: 2592: 2591: 2581: 2580: 2566: 2565: 2556: 2555: 2541: 2540: 2531: 2530: 2516: 2515: 2508: 2507: 2493: 2492: 2485: 2484: 2471: 2469: 2463:Lebanese SM.79 2448: 2445: 2444: 2443: 2432: 2429: 2426: 2423: 2420: 2417: 2402: 2399: 2393: 2390: 2386: 2374: 2373: 2358: 2346: 2345: 2338: 2335: 2327: 2324: 2317: 2312: 2309: 2280: 2277: 2240: 2237: 2196: 2193: 2192: 2191: 2177: 2159: 2156: 2150: 2135: 2132: 2101: 2098: 2052: 2049: 1918: 1915: 1882: 1881: 1878: 1875: 1872: 1818:Anzio landings 1786: 1783: 1666: 1663: 1594:with gunfire. 1516: 1513: 1449:Empire Pelican 1383: 1380: 1306:torpedo bomber 1297: 1294: 1292: 1289: 1185: 1184:Other theaters 1182: 1080: 1077: 967: 964: 904: 901: 899: 896: 880:Rio de Janeiro 868:Atlantic Ocean 800: 797: 795: 792: 738:Heinkel He 111 677: 674: 640:and the naval 626:aerial torpedo 583: 580: 540:variable-pitch 465: 462: 460: 457: 301: 298: 282:torpedo bomber 192: 191: 186: 185:Developed into 182: 181: 179: 178: 171: 163: 161: 157: 156: 153: 149: 148: 145: 141: 140: 137: 133: 132: 128: 127: 124: 120: 119: 116: 115: 110: 105: 97: 96: 89: 85: 84: 81: 77: 76: 71: 65: 64: 61: 57: 56: 54:torpedo bomber 47: 43: 42: 38: 37: 29: 28: 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 5603: 5592: 5589: 5587: 5584: 5582: 5579: 5577: 5574: 5572: 5569: 5567: 5564: 5562: 5559: 5558: 5556: 5546: 5536: 5534: 5524: 5522: 5512: 5511: 5508: 5495: 5492: 5491: 5489: 5482: 5478: 5472: 5469: 5467: 5464: 5462: 5459: 5457: 5454: 5452: 5449: 5447: 5444: 5442: 5439: 5438: 5436: 5429: 5425: 5420: 5413: 5408: 5406: 5401: 5399: 5394: 5393: 5390: 5378: 5375: 5373: 5370: 5368: 5365: 5363: 5360: 5358: 5355: 5353: 5350: 5348: 5345: 5343: 5340: 5338: 5335: 5333: 5330: 5328: 5325: 5323: 5320: 5319: 5317: 5313: 5307: 5304: 5302: 5299: 5297: 5294: 5292: 5289: 5287: 5284: 5282: 5279: 5277: 5274: 5272: 5269: 5267: 5264: 5262: 5259: 5257: 5254: 5252: 5249: 5247: 5244: 5242: 5239: 5237: 5234: 5232: 5229: 5227: 5224: 5222: 5219: 5217: 5214: 5212: 5209: 5207: 5204: 5202: 5199: 5197: 5194: 5192: 5189: 5187: 5184: 5182: 5179: 5177: 5174: 5172: 5169: 5167: 5164: 5162: 5159: 5157: 5154: 5152: 5149: 5147: 5144: 5142: 5139: 5137: 5134: 5132: 5129: 5128: 5126: 5122: 5116: 5113: 5112: 5110: 5106: 5100: 5097: 5095: 5092: 5090: 5087: 5085: 5082: 5080: 5077: 5075: 5072: 5070: 5067: 5065: 5062: 5060: 5057: 5055: 5052: 5050: 5047: 5045: 5042: 5040: 5037: 5035: 5032: 5030: 5027: 5026: 5024: 5020: 5015: 5008: 5003: 5001: 4996: 4994: 4989: 4988: 4985: 4979: 4976: 4974: 4971: 4969: 4966: 4964: 4961: 4959: 4956: 4954: 4952: 4948: 4947: 4938: 4934: 4931: 4927: 4924: 4920: 4916: 4912: 4909: 4905: 4901: 4897: 4894: 4891:Shaw, W.B.K. 4890: 4887: 4883: 4880: 4876: 4873: 4872:0-7509-2392-X 4869: 4865: 4861: 4858: 4857:1-86126-799-1 4854: 4850: 4846: 4843: 4839: 4835: 4831: 4828: 4827:0-7537-1460-4 4824: 4820: 4816: 4813: 4809: 4805: 4801: 4797: 4794: 4790: 4786: 4782: 4778: 4775: 4771: 4768: 4764: 4761: 4757: 4754: 4753:1-874023-92-1 4750: 4746: 4742: 4739: 4735: 4732: 4731:1-84176-991-6 4728: 4724: 4720: 4717: 4713: 4711:, March 1997. 4710: 4706: 4702: 4698: 4694: 4689: 4686: 4682: 4679: 4678:0-86273-014-7 4675: 4671: 4667: 4664: 4663:0-89747-173-3 4660: 4656: 4652: 4649: 4645: 4642: 4638: 4634: 4630: 4626: 4622: 4618: 4613: 4609: 4605: 4601: 4596: 4593: 4589: 4586: 4585:1-871767-12-1 4582: 4578: 4574: 4571: 4567: 4564: 4563: 4558: 4554: 4550: 4547:(65): 72–75. 4546: 4541: 4538: 4534: 4531: 4527: 4524: 4523:0-562-00096-8 4520: 4516: 4512: 4511: 4490: 4486: 4480: 4464: 4460: 4454: 4438: 4434: 4428: 4413: 4409: 4403: 4396: 4391: 4385: 4380: 4371: 4364: 4358: 4342: 4338: 4337: 4332: 4326: 4317: 4308: 4299: 4290: 4274: 4268: 4259: 4252: 4246: 4237: 4221: 4217: 4211: 4202: 4193: 4184: 4182: 4172: 4170: 4168: 4158: 4149: 4140: 4138: 4136: 4126: 4117: 4115: 4113: 4103: 4094: 4085: 4076: 4074: 4072: 4070: 4068: 4066: 4064: 4054: 4045: 4036: 4027: 4025: 4023: 4021: 4019: 4012:Hervieux 1997 4009: 4007: 4005: 4003: 4001: 3993: 3990: 3985: 3976: 3974: 3964: 3962: 3960: 3950: 3934: 3930: 3924: 3915: 3906: 3897: 3888: 3886: 3876: 3867: 3858: 3849: 3840: 3831: 3822: 3820: 3810: 3808: 3798: 3789: 3780: 3772: 3766: 3762: 3755: 3746: 3737: 3735: 3733: 3731: 3721: 3712: 3710: 3702: 3697: 3688: 3686: 3684: 3682: 3680: 3678: 3676: 3666: 3657: 3650: 3644: 3635: 3626: 3617: 3615: 3605: 3596: 3587: 3585: 3583: 3573: 3564: 3562: 3560: 3558: 3556: 3554: 3552: 3550: 3548: 3538: 3536: 3526: 3524: 3514: 3507: 3504: 3499: 3490: 3488: 3481: 3477: 3474: 3473:alieuomini.it 3471: 3466: 3462: 3447: 3444: 3442: 3439: 3437: 3434: 3433: 3432: 3431: 3430:Related lists 3424: 3421: 3419: 3418:Junkers Ju 86 3416: 3414: 3413:Ilyushin DB-3 3411: 3409: 3406: 3404: 3401: 3399: 3396: 3394: 3391: 3389: 3386: 3385: 3384: 3383: 3371: 3367: 3364: 3359: 3356: 3354: 3350: 3349: 3347: 3344: 3343: 3342: 3339: 3331: 3329: 3325: 3322: 3321:Wing loading: 3319: 3316: 3313: 3310: 3307: 3304: 3301: 3298: 3295: 3294: 3293: 3291: 3283: 3280: 3277: 3273: 3270: 3267: 3266:Gross weight: 3264: 3261: 3260:Empty weight: 3258: 3255: 3252: 3249: 3246: 3243: 3240: 3237: 3234: 3231: 3228: 3227: 3226: 3224: 3219: 3218: 3211: 3202: 3200: 3199:Jebel Uweinat 3196: 3188: 3184: 3180: 3177: 3173: 3169: 3168: 3164: 3163: 3162: 3157: 3152: 3143: 3141: 3137: 3132: 3128: 3123: 3119: 3109: 3106: 3102: 3098: 3093: 3089: 3087: 3079: 3075: 3071: 3068: 3064: 3060: 3056: 3053: 3049: 3045: 3041: 3035: 3031: 3027: 3023: 3021: 3020: 3014: 3010: 3006: 3003: 2999: 2995: 2991: 2988: 2984: 2980: 2977: 2973: 2970: 2967:downed a 41° 2966: 2965: 2959: 2958:Fairey Fulmar 2955: 2952:2 September, 2951: 2948: 2947:Stefano Cagna 2944: 2940: 2937: 2936: 2930: 2926: 2925: 2919: 2915: 2911: 2907: 2906: 2905: 2903: 2902: 2896: 2891: 2887: 2883: 2879: 2875: 2870: 2868: 2864: 2861:airfield, in 2860: 2856: 2852: 2847: 2845: 2841: 2837: 2833: 2829: 2824: 2817: 2809: 2797: 2796: 2795:They Who Dare 2791: 2788: 2787: 2784: 2773: 2772: 2768: 2765: 2764: 2761: 2750: 2748: 2745: 2744: 2740: 2736: 2733: 2732: 2729: 2718: 2717: 2714: 2711: 2710: 2707: 2696: 2695: 2692: 2689: 2688: 2685: 2684:Spanish State 2674: 2673: 2670: 2667: 2666: 2663: 2652: 2651: 2648: 2647: 2643: 2642: 2639: 2628: 2627: 2624: 2621: 2619: 2616: 2614: 2613: 2609: 2608: 2605: 2594: 2593: 2590: 2586: 2583: 2582: 2579: 2568: 2567: 2563: 2562: 2558: 2557: 2554: 2543: 2542: 2538: 2537: 2533: 2532: 2529: 2518: 2517: 2513: 2510: 2509: 2506: 2495: 2494: 2490: 2487: 2486: 2483: 2472: 2470: 2467: 2466: 2461: 2453: 2442:".(one built) 2441: 2437: 2433: 2430: 2427: 2424: 2421: 2418: 2415: 2411: 2407: 2403: 2400: 2397: 2394: 2391: 2387: 2384: 2383: 2378: 2371: 2367: 2363: 2359: 2356: 2355: 2350: 2343: 2339: 2336: 2332: 2328: 2325: 2322: 2318: 2315: 2314: 2308: 2306: 2302: 2299:engines) and 2298: 2294: 2285: 2276: 2274: 2270: 2266: 2262: 2258: 2254: 2250: 2246: 2236: 2234: 2230: 2226: 2225:Kačanik Gorge 2222: 2218: 2214: 2206: 2201: 2189: 2188:friendly fire 2185: 2181: 2178: 2175: 2171: 2167: 2163: 2160: 2157: 2154: 2151: 2148: 2147: 2141: 2136: 2133: 2130: 2127:(relative of 2126: 2123: 2122: 2121: 2119: 2115: 2114:I sorci verdi 2111: 2107: 2097: 2095: 2091: 2087: 2083: 2078: 2074: 2070: 2066: 2062: 2061:radio control 2058: 2048: 2046: 2045: 2040: 2036: 2035: 2029: 2028: 2022: 2021: 2015: 2014: 2008: 2007: 2001: 2000: 1995: 1994:light cruiser 1991: 1990: 1985: 1984:heavy cruiser 1980: 1978: 1977: 1971: 1970: 1965: 1961: 1960: 1955: 1951: 1950: 1944: 1943: 1937: 1936: 1930: 1929: 1924: 1914: 1911: 1907: 1903: 1899: 1895: 1891: 1887: 1879: 1876: 1873: 1870: 1869: 1868: 1865: 1863: 1857: 1855: 1851: 1847: 1843: 1838: 1834: 1830: 1825: 1823: 1819: 1814: 1812: 1808: 1804: 1800: 1796: 1792: 1782: 1780: 1779: 1774: 1773: 1768: 1767: 1762: 1758: 1754: 1749: 1747: 1742: 1738: 1734: 1729: 1727: 1726: 1720: 1716: 1712: 1708: 1703: 1701: 1696: 1692: 1687: 1686:Aerosiluranti 1680: 1676: 1671: 1662: 1658: 1656: 1652: 1651: 1645: 1641: 1637: 1632: 1630: 1629:Grand Harbour 1626: 1625: 1619: 1615: 1614: 1608: 1604: 1600: 1595: 1593: 1589: 1585: 1581: 1580: 1574: 1570: 1566: 1563:, aft as for 1562: 1558: 1554: 1550: 1546: 1541: 1539: 1535: 1534:close support 1531: 1521: 1512: 1510: 1506: 1502: 1498: 1497: 1491: 1490: 1484: 1483: 1477: 1471: 1469: 1465: 1461: 1457: 1456: 1451: 1450: 1445: 1441: 1440: 1435: 1431: 1430: 1424: 1420: 1419:Imperial Star 1416: 1415: 1410: 1409:light cruiser 1406: 1405: 1400: 1396: 1395: 1389: 1379: 1377: 1376: 1370: 1366: 1362: 1361: 1354: 1353:heavy cruiser 1350: 1349: 1343: 1339: 1334: 1332: 1326: 1324: 1319: 1315: 1311: 1310:Aerosilurante 1307: 1303: 1288: 1286: 1282: 1278: 1273: 1271: 1267: 1263: 1258: 1257:Jebel Uweinat 1254: 1250: 1246: 1237: 1233: 1231: 1227: 1223: 1219: 1215: 1211: 1207: 1203: 1199: 1195: 1191: 1181: 1179: 1175: 1171: 1167: 1163: 1159: 1155: 1151: 1150:Manoel Island 1147: 1142: 1140: 1136: 1132: 1128: 1124: 1120: 1117:, piloted by 1116: 1112: 1108: 1104: 1100: 1094: 1085: 1076: 1074: 1070: 1066: 1062: 1058: 1057:General Valle 1054: 1050: 1046: 1042: 1041:Condor Legion 1038: 1033: 1031: 1025: 1023: 1019: 1015: 1011: 1007: 1003: 999: 995: 991: 987: 983: 982: 972: 963: 961: 957: 953: 949: 945: 941: 937: 933: 928: 926: 922: 918: 909: 895: 893: 889: 885: 881: 877: 873: 869: 864: 860: 856: 852: 848: 844: 839: 837: 832: 829: 825: 821: 820:fascist Italy 817: 814:'s long term 813: 810: 806: 791: 789: 785: 781: 776: 770: 767: 763: 759: 754: 745: 741: 739: 735: 731: 727: 722: 720: 715: 710: 705: 700: 695: 691: 682: 673: 671: 667: 663: 659: 655: 654:Curtiss P-40s 651: 647: 643: 642:Fairey Fulmar 639: 635: 631: 627: 621: 619: 615: 610: 605: 602: 601:anti aircraft 598: 597:water landing 588: 579: 577: 573: 569: 565: 561: 557: 553: 549: 543: 541: 537: 532: 530: 526: 522: 518: 514: 510: 506: 502: 498: 495: 494:trailing edge 491: 487: 483: 479: 470: 456: 454: 450: 445: 443: 439: 438:Transatlantic 435: 431: 427: 423: 417: 414: 409: 407: 403: 399: 393: 391: 387: 383: 379: 375: 370: 366: 362: 361:maiden flight 357: 355: 351: 347: 341: 339: 335: 331: 327: 323: 319: 315: 306: 297: 295: 291: 287: 283: 277: 275: 271: 270: 265: 261: 257: 252: 250: 246: 245:Fascist Italy 242: 241:medium bomber 237: 232: 230: 226: 222: 218: 214: 213:medium bomber 210: 209:three-engined 206: 203:(Italian for 202: 201: 190: 187: 183: 176: 172: 169: 165: 164: 162: 158: 154: 150: 146: 142: 138: 134: 129: 125: 121: 114: 111: 109: 106: 104: 103: 99: 98: 95: 94: 90: 88:Primary users 86: 82: 78: 75: 72: 70: 66: 62: 58: 55: 51: 50:Medium bomber 48: 44: 39: 35: 30: 27: 22: 19: 5480: 5440: 5427: 5215: 4950: 4936: 4932:, July 1997. 4929: 4914: 4899: 4892: 4885: 4878: 4863: 4848: 4833: 4818: 4803: 4799: 4785:Bomber Units 4784: 4780: 4773: 4766: 4759: 4744: 4737: 4722: 4715: 4708: 4692: 4684: 4669: 4654: 4647: 4632: 4616: 4599: 4591: 4576: 4569: 4560: 4544: 4536: 4529: 4514: 4508:Bibliography 4493:. Retrieved 4488: 4479: 4467:. Retrieved 4462: 4453: 4441:. Retrieved 4439:(in Italian) 4436: 4433:"SIAI SM-79" 4427: 4415:. Retrieved 4411: 4402: 4397:(in Italian) 4390: 4379: 4370: 4362: 4357: 4345:. Retrieved 4341:the original 4334: 4325: 4316: 4307: 4298: 4289: 4277:. Retrieved 4275:. aeroflight 4267: 4258: 4250: 4245: 4236: 4224:. Retrieved 4219: 4210: 4201: 4192: 4157: 4148: 4125: 4102: 4093: 4084: 4053: 4044: 4035: 3991: 3984: 3967:Leproni 1995 3949: 3937:. Retrieved 3932: 3923: 3914: 3905: 3896: 3875: 3866: 3857: 3848: 3839: 3830: 3797: 3788: 3779: 3760: 3754: 3745: 3720: 3700: 3696: 3665: 3656: 3648: 3643: 3634: 3625: 3604: 3595: 3572: 3513: 3505: 3498: 3472: 3465: 3429: 3428: 3381: 3380: 3369: 3365: 3345: 3337: 3335: 3326: 3320: 3314: 3308: 3302: 3296: 3289: 3287: 3281: 3271: 3265: 3259: 3253: 3247: 3241: 3235: 3229: 3222: 3220: 3216: 3215: 3192: 3160: 3155: 3117: 3115: 3104: 3100: 3094: 3090: 3083: 3077: 3066: 3062: 3051: 3047: 3033: 3029: 3024:8 May 1941, 3018: 3012: 3008: 3001: 2997: 2986: 2982: 2975: 2968: 2963: 2949:'s aircraft. 2942: 2934: 2928: 2923: 2913: 2900: 2894: 2885: 2877: 2873: 2871: 2866: 2854: 2850: 2848: 2843: 2839: 2835: 2831: 2827: 2825: 2822: 2793: 2644: 2610: 2559: 2553:Nazi Germany 2535: 2439: 2405: 2369: 2365: 2361: 2342:Piaggio P.XI 2290: 2260: 2242: 2216: 2210: 2169: 2165: 2153:Emilio Pucci 2145: 2139: 2117: 2113: 2109: 2105: 2103: 2054: 2043: 2033: 2026: 2019: 2012: 2005: 1998: 1988: 1981: 1975: 1968: 1958: 1948: 1941: 1934: 1927: 1920: 1909: 1902:Adriatic sea 1893: 1883: 1866: 1858: 1853: 1849: 1845: 1841: 1836: 1828: 1826: 1821: 1815: 1798: 1794: 1790: 1788: 1776: 1770: 1764: 1756: 1750: 1736: 1730: 1724: 1718: 1714: 1706: 1704: 1699: 1694: 1685: 1683: 1659: 1649: 1633: 1623: 1617: 1612: 1596: 1591: 1587: 1584:Tribal-class 1578: 1572: 1568: 1564: 1560: 1556: 1555:, by a 132º 1552: 1542: 1537: 1529: 1526: 1500: 1495: 1488: 1481: 1472: 1467: 1463: 1459: 1454: 1448: 1443: 1438: 1428: 1418: 1413: 1403: 1393: 1387: 1385: 1374: 1359: 1347: 1337: 1335: 1330: 1327: 1309: 1301: 1299: 1284: 1274: 1265: 1248: 1242: 1225: 1221: 1218:Sottotenente 1217: 1205: 1201: 1197: 1196:, 6a and 7a 1187: 1173: 1169: 1165: 1162:Sottotenente 1161: 1145: 1143: 1138: 1130: 1118: 1114: 1110: 1106: 1096: 1053:oxygen masks 1034: 1026: 1021: 1005: 1001: 997: 993: 979: 977: 955: 951: 947: 943: 935: 931: 929: 925:Nationalists 916: 914: 903:Introduction 858: 854: 850: 840: 835: 833: 827: 823: 802: 771: 752: 750: 733: 729: 723: 718: 713: 706: 698: 687: 669: 649: 633: 629: 622: 606: 593: 576:rev counters 544: 533: 525:wing loading 505:Handley Page 475: 446: 441: 433: 429: 425: 421: 418: 413:machine guns 410: 394: 364: 358: 342: 329: 325: 311: 278: 267: 253: 233: 228: 199: 197: 195: 152:First flight 136:Manufactured 123:Number built 100: 91: 69:Manufacturer 25: 18: 5486:Dive bomber 4939:, May 1994. 3290:Performance 3282:Propellers: 3272:Powerplant: 3105:Squadriglia 3101:Squadriglia 3009:Squadriglia 2998:Illustrious 2987:Illustrious 2964:Illustrious 2859:Ghisonaccia 2436:CANT Z.1007 2180:Italo Balbo 2044:Indomitable 1725:Indomitable 1538:Thermopilae 1388:Squadriglie 1338:Squadriglia 1243:During the 1198:Squadriglie 1166:Squadriglia 1115:Squadriglia 1073:Fiat CR.32s 1063:and bombed 998:Stormo B.T. 863:Fiat BR.20s 790:S fighter. 753:Sparviero's 614:Addis Ababa 582:Performance 451:, based in 300:Development 205:sparrowhawk 5555:Categories 5428:Bombardero 4973:on Avia.ru 4495:27 January 4347:15 January 4222:(in Greek) 3939:27 January 3452:References 3328:Power/mass 3254:Wing area: 3019:Formidable 2956:: the new 2886:Sparvieros 2878:Sparvieros 2195:Yugoslavia 2013:Manchester 1842:Comandante 1711:Aegean Sea 1603:minefields 1509:Decima MAS 1434:battleship 1394:Manchester 1331:Sparvieros 1318:Alexandria 1285:Sparvieros 1266:Sparvieros 1107:Sparvieros 1091:See also: 936:Sparvieros 824:Sparvieros 816:propaganda 762:bombardier 650:Sparvieros 636:faced the 609:fuel tanks 548:altimeters 340:airliner. 260:Yugoslavia 249:propaganda 236:cantilever 5571:Trimotors 5533:Companies 5108:Marchetti 4879:Sparviero 4802:Sparviero 4783:Sparviero 4701:1742-996X 4625:1243-8650 4608:1243-8650 4553:0143-5450 3457:Citations 3242:Wingspan: 3217:Data from 3154:SM.79 at 3112:MM. 23881 3052:Ark Royal 3039:s Fulmars 3034:Ark Royal 3017:HMS 2962:HMS 2943:Ark Royal 2933:HMS 2924:Ark Royal 2922:HMS 2899:HMS 2890:As Sallum 2867:Sparviero 2851:Sparvieri 2561:Luftwaffe 2447:Operators 2357:SM.79-III 2305:Fiat A.80 2144:HMS 2140:Sparviero 2118:Sparvieri 2110:Sparviero 2077:FIAT G.50 2073:Z.1007bis 1999:Liverpool 1949:Foresight 1923:destroyer 1862:Algeciras 1850:Sparviero 1837:Sparvieri 1822:Sparviero 1795:Sparvieri 1772:Luftwaffe 1741:Gibraltar 1723:HMS 1700:Sparviero 1695:Sparvieri 1648:HMS 1618:Deucalion 1613:Foresight 1611:HMS 1577:HMS 1561:Liverpool 1553:Liverpool 1530:Sparviero 1496:Ark Royal 1494:HMS 1487:HMS 1480:HMS 1437:HMS 1412:HMS 1402:HMS 1392:HMS 1373:HMS 1365:Souda Bay 1360:Liverpool 1358:HMS 1346:HMS 1302:Sparviero 1222:Sparviero 1206:Sparviero 1146:Sparviero 1135:Kalafrana 1131:Sparviero 1111:Sparviero 1065:Barcelona 1014:Catalonia 994:Sparviero 944:Sparviero 932:Sparviero 788:Fiat G.55 775:Whitehead 730:Sparviero 719:Sparviero 714:Sparviero 699:Sparviero 694:Lewis Gun 670:Sparviero 634:Sparviero 630:Sparviero 560:gyroscope 482:duralumin 369:panoramic 200:Sparviero 139:1936–1945 26:Sparviero 5545:Aviation 5016:aircraft 4226:22 March 3476:Archived 3377:See also 3338:Armament 3131:Giarabub 3118:MM.23881 2836:MM.28-16 2832:MM.28-25 2828:MM.28-16 2414:JRS 79B1 2362:SM.79bis 2344:engines. 2337:SM.79-II 2311:Variants 2273:JRS 79B1 2245:Romanian 2168:and the 2069:Algerian 2034:Arethusa 1976:Pozarica 1969:Marigold 1964:corvette 1928:Fearless 1910:Capitano 1854:Capitano 1846:Capitano 1650:Arethusa 1622:SS 1573:Tanimbar 1482:Warspite 1464:Xhakdina 1460:Glenearn 1404:Fearless 1226:Capitano 1194:Diredawa 1190:Ethiopia 1127:Valletta 1061:Guidonia 1037:Guernica 915:The 12° 843:Damascus 758:bomblets 676:Armament 552:airspeed 517:ailerons 513:dihedral 464:Overview 225:fuselage 211:Italian 207:) was a 5507:Portals 5377:SM.1019 3248:Height: 3236:Length: 3136:cockpit 3122:Captain 3097:Alghero 2872:The 9° 2863:Corsica 2783:Lebanon 2746:Postwar 2468:Wartime 2440:Alcione 2410:JRS 79B 2406:JIS.79B 2401:SM.79JR 2366:SM.79GA 2269:JRS 79B 2239:Romania 2170:Glasgow 2146:Bedouin 2120:were: 2090:coupled 2006:Glasgow 1935:Bedouin 1886:Eleusis 1835:: five 1807:Perugia 1746:LST 417 1675:Sciacca 1607:U-boats 1592:Bedouin 1579:Bedouin 1569:Glasgow 1375:Glasgow 1314:Italian 1264:, many 1200:of 44° 1154:Tarxien 1119:Tenente 876:Senegal 859:I-BIMU 836:SM.79CS 766:cameras 726:gondola 709:turrets 564:compass 529:fighter 486:plywood 453:Foligno 378:Massaua 264:Romania 160:Retired 131:History 83:Retired 5433:Bomber 5367:SF.600 5362:SF.260 5337:SA.202 5332:SM.102 5327:SM.101 5322:FN.333 5306:SM.105 4921: 4906: 4870: 4855: 4840: 4825: 4810: 4791: 4751: 4729: 4699: 4676: 4661: 4639: 4623: 4606: 4583: 4551: 4521: 4469:30 May 4443:30 May 4417:30 May 4279:1 June 3767: 3366:Bombs: 3303:Range: 3078:Gruppo 3067:Gruppo 3063:Stormo 3048:Gruppo 3030:Gruppo 3013:Gruppo 3002:Stormo 2983:Stormo 2976:Gruppo 2971:SM.79. 2969:Stormo 2929:Gruppo 2914:Gruppo 2901:Regent 2874:Stormo 2855:Stormo 2853:of 9° 2780: 2757: 2725: 2703: 2681: 2659: 2635: 2601: 2575: 2550: 2525: 2505:Greece 2502: 2482:Brazil 2479: 2425:SM.79T 2419:SM.79K 2392:SM.79C 2385:SM.79B 2370:SM.579 2293:Brazil 2279:Others 2261:JIS 79 2249:SM.79B 2217:SM.79K 2184:Tobruk 2108:, the 2094:Mistel 2027:Nelson 2020:Phoebe 1942:Nestor 1908:, and 1906:Ancona 1890:Athens 1811:Umbria 1715:Gruppi 1707:Gruppi 1679:Sicily 1588:Gruppo 1557:Gruppo 1501:Nelson 1489:Barham 1476:U-boat 1468:Jackal 1444:Gruppi 1439:Nelson 1414:Phoebe 1342:Bardia 1202:Gruppo 1172:, 30° 1170:Gruppo 1168:, 90° 1158:Żabbar 1123:Sliema 1049:Bilbao 1002:Gruppi 992:. The 986:Franco 956:Stormi 952:Gruppi 917:Stormo 855:I-FILU 851:I-CUPA 849:race. 847:Istres 828:I-MAGO 784:Ca.314 760:. The 612:reach 509:spruce 490:fabric 459:Design 442:SM.79B 430:SM.79T 422:SM.79C 365:I-MAGO 326:SM.79P 173:1959 ( 166:1952 ( 80:Status 24:SM.79 5521:Italy 5372:S.700 5357:S.211 5352:S.210 5347:S.208 5342:S.205 5301:SM.95 5296:SM.94 5291:SM.93 5286:SM.92 5281:SM.91 5276:SM.90 5271:SM.89 5266:SM.88 5261:SM.87 5256:SM.86 5251:SM.85 5246:SM.84 5236:SM.83 5231:SM.82 5226:SM.81 5221:SM.80 5216:SM.79 5211:SM.78 5206:SM.77 5201:SM.76 5196:SM.75 3425:Rikko 3346:Guns: 3230:Crew: 3165:Italy 3140:clock 3037:' 2935:Eagle 2760:Italy 2368:, or 2316:SM.79 2207:SM.79 1954:sloop 1940:HMAS 1898:Ghedi 1833:P-47s 1809:, in 1733:radar 1429:Oribi 1369:Crete 1230:Assab 1079:Malta 921:SM.81 884:Natal 872:Dakar 780:SM.84 702:' 618:Libya 521:SM.75 497:flaps 390:Egypt 386:Cairo 380:, in 290:drone 126:1,240 63:Italy 5494:BV.1 5483:(BV) 5241:S.84 5191:S.74 5186:S.73 5181:S.72 5176:S.71 5171:S.66 5166:S.65 5161:S.64 5156:S.63 5151:S.62 5146:S.59 5141:S.57 5136:S.56 5131:S.55 5099:S.67 5094:S.58 5089:S.52 5084:S.51 5079:S.50 5074:S.23 5069:S.22 5064:S.21 5059:S.19 5054:S.17 5049:S.16 5044:S.13 5039:S.12 5022:SIAI 4919:ISBN 4904:ISBN 4868:ISBN 4853:ISBN 4838:ISBN 4823:ISBN 4808:ISBN 4789:ISBN 4749:ISBN 4727:ISBN 4697:ISSN 4674:ISBN 4659:ISBN 4637:ISBN 4621:ISSN 4604:ISSN 4581:ISBN 4549:ISSN 4519:ISBN 4497:2019 4471:2017 4445:2017 4419:2017 4349:2009 4281:2019 4228:2023 3941:2019 3765:ISBN 3274:3 × 3195:LRDG 3127:Jalo 2844:13-7 2842:and 2840:13-6 2578:Iraq 2301:Iraq 2166:Kent 2042:HMS 2032:HMS 2025:HMS 2018:HMS 2011:HMS 2004:HMS 1997:HMS 1989:Kent 1987:HMS 1974:HMS 1967:HMS 1959:Ibis 1957:HMS 1947:HMS 1933:HMS 1926:HMS 1904:off 1827:The 1805:and 1665:1943 1624:Ohio 1605:and 1582:, a 1565:Kent 1515:1942 1492:and 1462:and 1452:and 1427:HMS 1382:1941 1348:Kent 1296:1940 1214:Aden 1156:and 1125:and 1101:and 857:and 734:Bola 664:and 554:and 499:and 436:for 262:and 196:The 147:1936 46:Type 5471:B.7 5466:B.6 5461:B.5 5456:B.4 5451:B.3 5446:B.2 5441:B.1 5430:(B) 5115:MVT 5034:S.9 5029:S.8 3185:in 3174:in 2920:of 2396:VIP 2233:RAF 2229:NDH 2186:by 1312:in 1270:SAS 1224:of 707:No 392:). 5557:: 4487:. 4461:. 4435:. 4410:. 4333:. 4218:. 4180:^ 4166:^ 4134:^ 4111:^ 4062:^ 4017:^ 3999:^ 3972:^ 3958:^ 3931:. 3884:^ 3818:^ 3806:^ 3729:^ 3708:^ 3674:^ 3613:^ 3581:^ 3546:^ 3534:^ 3522:^ 3486:^ 3370:or 3201:. 2364:, 2235:. 2203:A 1813:. 1677:, 1657:. 1470:. 1367:, 1152:, 1144:A 927:. 894:. 886:, 874:, 853:, 660:, 656:, 574:, 570:, 566:, 562:, 558:, 531:. 388:, 52:, 5509:: 5411:e 5404:t 5397:v 5006:e 4999:t 4992:v 4925:. 4910:. 4874:. 4859:. 4844:. 4829:. 4814:. 4795:. 4769:. 4755:. 4733:. 4703:. 4680:. 4665:. 4643:. 4627:. 4610:. 4587:. 4555:. 4525:. 4499:. 4473:. 4447:. 4421:. 4351:. 4283:. 4230:. 3943:. 3773:. 3330:: 3189:. 3178:. 3129:– 3054:. 3004:. 2989:. 2938:. 2798:. 2438:" 1888:/ 1308:( 845:– 503:( 434:T 432:( 426:C 424:( 330:P 328:( 177:) 170:)

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Knowledge

Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero

Index