Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero

SIAI-Marchetti · Italy · first flew 1934 · bomber

The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero (Sparrowhawk) was Italy's primary medium bomber and torpedo bomber of the Second World War. Its distinctive three-engine layout and dorsal hump made it one of the most recognisable Italian aircraft of the conflict.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, straight
E — Engines	3 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	16.2 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Italian three-engine torpedo bomber with a distinctive dorsal hump behind the cockpit
Asymmetric nose with offset cockpit and a ventral gondola for the bombardier
Three radial engines — one in the nose, one under each wing

The three radials (nose and two underwing), pronounced dorsal hump, ventral gondola under the nose, and a wooden mixed-construction fuselage combine to make the SM.79 one of the easiest Italian aircraft to identify.

Specifications

The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero has a length of 16.2 m (53 ft).
It has a wingspan of 20.2 m (66 ft).
Its maximum speed is 460 km/h (286 mph).
Typical crew: 4-5.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Originally designed as a racing and record-breaking transport in 1934, the SM.79 was quickly adapted as a military bomber. It served throughout the Mediterranean theatre in WWII, excelling as a torpedo bomber against Allied shipping. Italy also exported the type to Yugoslavia, Romania, Iraq, and Brazil.

Variants

The SM.79-I was the main bomber version; the SM.79-II was optimised for torpedo attack. The SM.79bis had two more powerful engines and a cleaned-up airframe. Romania operated a twin-engine variant.

Where you'll see it

Formed the backbone of the Regia Aeronautica's bomber force from 1936 through Italy's armistice in 1943. Small numbers served with allied Axis and post-war operators.

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