Savoia-Marchetti SM.81
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The Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 Pipistrello (Italian: bat) was a three-engined bomber/transport in the Italian Regia Aeronautica during World War II.
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[edit] History
The SM.81 was a development of Savoia-Marchetti's earlier SM.73 airliner, with cantilever wings, three engines and fixed undercarriage. It first saw combat during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, where it showed itself to be versatile serving as; a bomber, transport and reconnaissance plane. SM.81s also fought in the Spanish Civil War with the Aviazione Legionaria and were among the first planes sent by the fascist powers to aid Francisco Franco.
Despite obsolescence, by 1940, when Italy became involved in World War II, more than 100 SM.81s were in service with the Regia Aeronautica. Its low speed and vulnerability to fighter aircraft meant that during day time, it was restricted to second line duties, finding use as a transport. At night the SM.81 was an important bomber, particularly in the North African theatre.
Most SM.81s were withdrawn by the time of the Italian armistice of 1943, though some remained in service for both the Italian Social Republic and the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force.
Several examples survived the war and went on to serve the Aeronautica Militare Italiana, but by 1950 these had been retired.
[edit] Operators
China: 3 planes delivered, all were lost in training accidents in February 1938 at Yichang
Italy
Italian Social Republic
Spain
[edit] Specifications (Savoia-Marchetti SM.81)
General characteristics
- Crew: 6
- Length: 17.8 m (58 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 24 m (78 ft 9 in)
- Height: 4.45 m (14 ft 7 in)
- Wing area: 93 m² (1,001 ft²)
- Empty weight: 6,300 kg (13,900 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 9,300 kg (20,500 lb)
- Powerplant: 3× Piaggio P.X RC.35 radial engines, 522 kW (700 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 340 km/h (211 mph)
- Range: 2,000 km (1,240 mi)
- Service ceiling: 7,000 m (23,000 ft)
Armament
- 6x 7.7 mm machine guns
- Up to 2,000 kg (4,415 lb) of bombs
[edit] Reference
- Mondey, David. The Hamlyn Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II. Chancellor Press, 2002.
[edit] Related content
Designation sequence
- SM.77 - S.78 - SM.79 Sparviero - Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 Pipistrello - SM.82 Canguru
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