Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero (Sparrowhawk)

History

Savoia-Marchetti SM. The 79 Sparviero series three-engine bombers were the best bombers of the Italian Axis powers in World War II. The aptly named Sparrowhawk system has a dual effect in anti-ship role (mainly due to the speed of this type of aircraft) and is capable of carrying up to two 17.7-inch torpedoes.

Although it has been overshadowed by its German counterparts in terms of successful aircraft and bomber designs, it is notorious on some levels.

SM. The 79 became a further development of the existing three-engine airliner with the SM. 79's role evolved directly into a military role. The original prototype was actually based on an eight-passenger model, designated SM.

79P and will be equipped with a less powerful Piaggo Stella 610 hp radial engine. The base system features a retractable tailwheel design and various other systems that enhance its status in the eyes of military strategists. Hence the militarized model of SM. The design of the 79 featured a redesigned cockpit with an extended upper fuselage position, commonly referred to as the nacelle.

The system also integrates an array of offensive and defensive machine guns to provide increased penetration regardless of the bomber's role.

Led by Germany, the Italians used the Spanish Civil War to demonstrate and train their weapons and crews against an extremely weak enemy in a combat environment. SM. The 79 emerged as a conventional bomber and found success in the torpedo bomber role.

The success of the torpedo version was enough to warrant an upgrade to the Piaggo (1,000 hp) or Fiat (1,030 hp) engine.

SM. The 79 consisted of a crew of four with access to a total of five machine guns (3 x 12.7mm and 2 x 7.7mm) in different hull positions. The crew entered through a more conventional-looking fuselage side door. The fuselage is of a low-wing design, mounted on two large landing gear systems, with a tail wheel at the rear.

The overall appearance is reminiscent of transport aircraft of the time, but at a glance, the myriad of defensive and offensive weapons quickly change the perspective of the unwitting observer.

Several variants were also created, bringing the total production to 1,370. Variants include several export versions with just two conventional three-engines and different powerplants, depending on the customer.

Overall, SM. The 79 Sparviero was a powerful machine that grew out of traditional aeronautical engineering - considered in some ways the best torpedo aircraft of the war.

While this was by no means a spectacular conventional bomber, the system still found a way to excel in anti-ship roles throughout the Mediterranean in the hands of very capable Italian bomber crews before and during WWII.

Specification

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