Savoia-Pomilio SP.3
Società Italiana Aviazione (SIA) and Pomilio · Italy · first flew 1917 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Savoia-Pomilio SP.3 was a reconnaissance and bomber aircraft built in Italy during the First World War.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Fuselage nacelle housing the crew and a pusher-mounted engine |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Biplane with twin tails
- Fuselage nacelle housing the crew and a pusher-mounted engine
- Layout taken from the Farman MF.11
It carried a pilot and observer in the nacelle, with one 7.62 mm machine gun and light bombs.
Specifications
- The Savoia-Pomilio SP.3 has a length of 10.95 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.7 m (48 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 145 km/h (90 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It developed the SP.1 family, whose layout came from the Farman MF.11. The SP.2 had proved too slow and vulnerable, so the SP.3 had a reduced wingspan, lower weight and better fuselage aerodynamics. It flew in 1917.
Variants
Some aircraft had an improved Fiat A.12 engine, with power raised from 250 hp to 300 hp.
Where you'll see it
SIA and Pomilio built around 350. By summer 1917, a quarter of all Italian front-line aviation units were equipped with Savoia-Pomilio types, and the Corpo Aeronautico Militare operated it.
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