Savoia-Marchetti SM.79-I Sparviero
Savoia-Marchetti · Italy · first flew 1934 · bomber
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero (Sparrowhawk) was Italy's most successful torpedo bomber of the Second World War, feared in the Mediterranean for its effectiveness against Allied shipping. Its three-engine configuration and characteristic dorsal hump made it instantly recognisable.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 16.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Three-engined torpedo bomber with a distinctive dorsal hump
- One engine on nose, two under wings
- Fixed spatted main undercarriage
The trimotor layout — one engine on the nose and one under each wing — combined with the pronounced dorsal gunner's hump and fixed main undercarriage are unmistakable identifying features.
Specifications
- The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79-I Sparviero has a length of 16.2 m (53 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 21.2 m (70 ft).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Originally designed as a fast commercial transport, the SM.79 first flew in 1934 and was adapted for military use. It entered Regia Aeronautica service in 1936 and saw action in the Spanish Civil War before becoming Italy's principal torpedo bomber. SM.79s sank or damaged numerous Allied warships and merchantmen throughout the Mediterranean campaign.
Variants
The SM.79-I was the initial bomber series; the SM.79-II had uprated Piaggio P.XI engines; the SM.79-III was a dedicated torpedo bomber with a modified nose. Export versions were sold to Yugoslavia, Romania and Iraq.
Where you'll see it
The SM.79 remained in Italian service through the war, with torpedo-equipped crews earning a reputation as elite maritime strike pilots; post-armistice, some served with the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force.
Related aircraft
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