Savoia-Marchetti SM.82
Encyclopedia
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.82 was an Italian
bomber
and transport aircraft of World War II
. It was a cantilever, mid-wing monoplane
trimotor
with a retractable, tailwheel undercarriage
. About 400 were built, the first entering service in 1940, but although able to operate as a bomber with a maximum bombload of up to 8,818 lb (4000 kg), the SM.82 saw very limited use in this role.
Post-war about 30 SM.82s continued in service with the Aeronautica Militare Italliana, many remaining in service until the early 1960s.
civil transport as a heavy bomber
and military transport
. Although having the same configuration of the SM.75, the SM.82 was larger. The aircraft was quickly developed and the prototype
first flew in 1939. Although underpowered and slow, it was capable of carrying heavy loads, including the L3 light tank
and a complete disassembled CR.42 fighter
(these loads demanded special modifications, though). It had both cargo and troop transport capability, with room up to 40 men and their equipment.
Deliveries to the Regia Aeronautica
began in 1940
. However, production rates were slow, with only 100 aircraft delivered in 1940, and another 100 in 1941, so that there were never enough of these aircraft in service. By 1942 production doubled to 200 a year, while in 1944 almost 300 were produced, by which time the factory was under the control of the Germans.
In 1939 it set a world's closed circuit distance record when it covered 10,000 km at an average speed of 239.67 km/h, remaining in the air for 56.5 hours. The aircraft has seen extensive service throughout all the various African campaigns. In 1942 an SM.82 performed a four-day, 26,000 km liaison flight from Rome to Tokyo and return.
s, skinned with metal forward, and plywood
and fabric elsewhere. The wing
s were constructed almost entirely of wood, having three T-section spar
s, and 42 ribs in each. The flap
s were made from a single piece of wood, while the ribs were of light and flexible poplar
. The skin was of fabric-covered plywood, doped
to be water-resistant. The aileron
s (+13/-28°) occupied about half of the wing's trailing edge
while Handley Page slat
s occupied the leading-edge. The tail had a conventional spruce
structure and a plywood skin, while the rudder and elevator
s were a fabric-covered metal framework.
Inside, there were two levels. The upper level held seats for 32. The lower level was used for freight or to carry bombs when used in the bombing role, with two large duralumin
bomb bay doors. The floor was made of wood, with nine detachable panels, that helped with the accommodation (through the bomb bay doors) of heavy loads. The cockpit
held four: two pilots, with the first (on the left) with an armoured seat, a mechanic and an engineer/gunner.
Internal equipment comprised a radio-transmitter (AR8 and AR350), a fire extinguisher
system, an electrical generator. The instruments included altimeter
s, thermometers, compass
, clock, and a Telefunken P63N radio goniometer
.
The SM.82 was fitted with three 641 kW (860 hp) Alfa Romeo 128 RC.18
radial engine
s with aluminium
and steel three-blade constant speed propeller
s 3.6 m (11 ft 9 in) in diameter. These engines were the ultimate evolution of the license-built Bristol Pegasus.
The aircraft had six self-sealing fuel tanks in each wing, three between the second and third spar, with a total of 1,276 L (337 US gal). Between the first and second spar there were another three fuel tanks with 653 L (173 US gal). Another tank in the nose, with 167 L (44 US gal) of 100 octane fuel (rather than 87) for the electric generator. The total weight of fuel amounted to 4,403 kg (9,707 lb), plus 136 L (36 US gal) of oil.
The SM.82 had both defensive and offensive armament. For offensive purposes it could carry a very wide range of ordnance, up to 4,000 kg (8,820 lb).
Control over bomb release was in the retractable ventral bombardier's gondola, equipped with a Jozza bombsight and also fitted with a rear-facing 7.7 mm (.303 in) Breda machine gun. Accommodation for the bombardier was far from ideal, being cramped, unheated, unpressurized, and not connected to the oxygen system. The 1 mm steel structure was also highly vulnerable to enemy fire.
For protection, only the first pilot's seat was armoured, while the self-sealing fuel tank
s were proofed, theoretically, against 12.7 mm (.50 in) rounds, but did not have Carbon dioxide
pressurization to prevent explosions if they were hit by tracer, incendiary or explosive rounds. No other armour was fitted. All this made it extremely vulnerable to enemy fire.
The main defensive weapon was a Caproni-Lanciani rotating dorsal turret, armed with a Scotti 12.7 mm (.50 in) machine gun with 350 rounds. This weapon was theoretically more powerful and lighter than the Breda-SAFAT, but reliability was a concern, and projectile dispersion was so wide as to reduce the theoretical range of 400 m (1,310 ft) to around 200 m (660 ft) in practice. Additional 7.7 mm (.303 in) Breda-SAFAT machine gun
s were mounted in each side and in the bombardier's gondola, with four 215-round magazines each. The gondola's machine gun was of little use given the cramped accommodation, and was often not fitted, even in the SM.82 equipped for the bombing role. German machine-guns were used in the Luftwaffe
versions, with the 13 mm (.51 in) MG 131
in the turret. 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17
s were used in some aircraft.
The SM.82's performance was modest, with a cruising speed only 250 km/h (160 mph) at 3,000 m (9,840 ft), even without the bombardier's gondola under the nose (which added more drag), it was slow, while its silhouette was large and easy to spot. The ceiling was seldom over 5,000 m (16,400 ft). This left the SM.82 well inside the operational altitude of most fighters of the time, as well as the effective range of heavy and medium anti-aircraft guns. In comparison the B-17 had a ceiling of 6,000-9,000 m (19,690-29,530 ft), almost out of range of both German 88 mm (3.46 in) AA and FW 190
fighters.
In operation, when faced with a fighter opposition, the SM.82 suffered a devastating loss rate. On 24 November 1942, three Beaufighters downed seven SM.82s, a 100% loss. Later on 10 April 1943, 10 out of 20 in formation were downed by a single pass of a P-38 Lightning
squadron. At altitude, the SM.82 was almost a fixed target for both flak and fighter opposition.
, together with their heavy equipment, but the first two squadrons had only three SM.82s each. The first flights were made the beginning of June 1940, transporting 360 men of 61° Infantry Regiment.
Initially, the aircraft were organized in 149° Gruppo, with a SM.73 and SM.75
. On the 17 June 1940 the first mission for all five aircraft of the Gruppo, transported ten anti-tank guns and 17 radio-communication units.
By 24 June, there were 11 aircraft employed in transporting men and equipment to Africa. Within a few weeks a further 25 were delivered. On 24 June, the first SM.82 was lost during a resupply mission in the desert.
In July 1940, a series of bombing missions to Gibraltar
was organized, with 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) of bombs in each aircraft. The first bombing mission was on 17 July 1940 with three SM.82s taking off from Guidonia at 1940, and flying 1,600 km (995 mi) to arrive over Gibraltar eight hours later at 0340. Another mission was launched from Sardinia
to shorten the journey, then another on 20 August, this time by 32° Wing. However one of the two aircraft, carrying a 1,000 kg (2,210 lb) bombload, was shot down. The other two aircraft in 32° Wing were reassigned to transport squadrons.
In mid-1940, 41° Group was sent to Rhodes
with three SM.82s, and other four in October, for the special mission
to the British-controlled oil refineries at Manama
in the Persian Gulf
. This meant a flight of 4,200 km (2,610 mi), lasting 15 hours at 270 km/h (170 mph), that was for the time arguably a record for a bombing mission. Four SM.82s took off from Rhodes
, under the command of Ettore Muti
. Each aircraft carried a load of 1,500 kg (3,310 lb). This long-range action was successful, taking the target totally by surprise, and the SM.82s landed without problems at Zula
. This raid caused the Allies some concerns, forcing them to upgrade their defences. This, more than the limited amount of damage caused, further stretched Allied military resources.
However the scarcity of SM.82s hampered further long-range missions, though some actions were carried out. Six single aircraft night bombing missions were mounted, mainly against Alexandria
, in October and November 1940. All these missions were performed by SM.82s of 114° Gruppo, but all of their aircraft were destroyed or damaged by the time of Operation Compass
in December 1940.
Italy at that time had control of part of East Africa
(AOI, Africa Orientale Italiana), and needed a long-range supply aircraft to support its troops fighting the East African Campaign
.
149° Gruppo flew many missions over the Adriatic, and to Ethiopia, despite the fact that the pilots were convinced that given the strong, contrary winds, the slow SM.82s would be unable to return to Libya
.
The missions to eastern Africa were carried out with a 1,300 L (340 US gal) auxiliary tank fitted, and the first mission was successfully performed on 27 July 1940, between Benghazi
(Libya) and Asmara
(Eritrea). However, on the fourth mission aircraft MM.60277 overran the airstrip and was largely destroyed by fire. 149° Gruppo flew 330 missions with its S.82s, S.75s and S.83s. By the end of 1940, the SM.82s had logged 5,187 hours flight time, with 16,267 passengers and 2,247 tonnes of materials.
On 23 August 1940, the first delivery of a Fiat CR.42 fighter was made to Eastern Africa. By April 1941, 51 CR.42s and 51 reserve engines had been delivered, but despite this effort the AOI fell to the Allies in May 1941.
In March 1941, 32° Wing received some new SM.82s, and organized five bombing missions over Gibraltar in June and July, always with only one aircraft. On 1 April 1942, another attack was made three aircraft that dropped 18 160 kg (353 lb) bombs. All this accounted for just eight attacks in almost two years on this key British position, with around twenty aircraft (between one and three each time), and a little more than a tonne of bombs delivered by each aircraft.
in May and June, before being used as transports.
On 1 March 1941, 146° Gruppo was formed with 17 SM.82s, one SM.79 and one Ca.164
. 146° Gruppo, along with 145° and 149° Gruppo, were mainly involved in transport missions to North Africa. In May 1941 during the Anglo-Iraqi War
the Iraqis requested help from Axis air forces, and SM.82s flew several missions via Syria
carrying a total of 18 tonnes of equipment and 25 persons.
In July 1941 37° Gruppo was equipped with SM.82s. In 1942, 18° Wing, and then 44°, 45°, and 48° Wing were equipped with the aircraft. From the end of 1942, these aircraft flew many supply missions across the Mediterranean, until Operation Flax
in April 1943 ended the air bridge to Axis forces in Tunisia.
The SM.82 suffered many losses. In December 1941, six were destroyed by Bristol Blenheim
s at Castelvetrano
airfield in a single night. In the last months of the North African campaign, SM.82s were used to send troops and materials, even though it was clear that this campaign was lost after El Alamein
. Around 100 SM.82 were shot down or destroyed on the ground between November 1942 and April 1943.
Among other episodes, on 2 November 1942, seven (or six depending on source) SM.82s were forced to land (or crashed) by only three Beaufighter
s. On 12 November 1942, six Beaufighters downed an entire formation of five SM.82s. On 22 November, ten SM.82s were attacked by three Beaufighters, causing much damage and killing or wounding many of the troops inside the unarmoured aircraft. On 10 April 1943, another seven were downed, four more on 16 April, and finally on 19 April 1943 twelve SM.82, one SM.75, and three Fiat G.12
s were downed or forced to land.
Attacks on airfields destroyed five S.82s at Benina airfield (19 km/12 mi east of Benghazi), three at Tunis
in 22 January 1943, and three on 24 March. At Castelvetrano, 11 SM.82s were destroyed on 13 April. During the attacks on Rome
on 19 July 1943, eight S.82s were destroyed and seven damaged at Urbe
airfield, and four SM.82s were destroyed, and 14 damaged over Ciampino
. Both in the air or on the ground, SM.82s were easy targets.
145° Group, usually a transport unit, was also equipped with some bomber versions and attacked enemy targets in Marmarica
and Egypt
in four night raids in June 1942. On 3 July a single aircraft bombed the El Haman airfield in Libya.
Another four aircraft flew from Rodi airfield to bomb Alexandria, but after only four missions, all four aircraft were taken out of service. On July 1943 there were bombing missions over Sicily
, to interdict
enemy landings
, like the one that dropped 20 cluster bombs (100 kg/220 lb and 28 bomblets each) over Comiso
.
These missions were only a nuisance to the Allies, even if they forced them to assign first line air defences and interceptors to counter the threat. This was the main reason for the Italians to mount these missions, although only a total of 100 sortie
s were flown in three years of war, with an average of 1,000-1,500 kg (2,200-3,310 lb) bombload, and the use of some of the best aviators of the Regia Aereonautica.
The most successful missions for the SM-82 were in the paratrooper transport role,several special paratrooper models were made,but all were used by simply putting wooden planks in the bomb bay to stand on.over 15 combat air drops were made successfully with few losses in Italy, Africa, Greece and Russia.
in September 1943, the Germans captured 200 SM.82s, many being operated as transports by the Luftwaffe
. Only 29 were operated by the ICAF
in southern Italy.
The Germans were thus rewarded for the delays in their order for 100 S.82s, only 35 of which were delivered in 1943. These aircraft had better capabilities as transports than the Ju 52, the standard transport aircraft of the Luftwaffe, even if it was much more robust, being all metal. The "Savoia Gruppen" operated many of these aircraft, with a force in early 1944 of over 230 aircraft, but little is recorded of the activities of these aircraft in the last 18 months of the war as most were adhoc units.records were either not kept or destroyed.
In 1944 almost 300 SM.82s were built for the Germans, as no bombing raid on the Savoia Marchetti factory was ever made by the Allies, which is something of a mystery since it was one of the most important aircraft industries in the Italian Social Republic
, the puppet state installed by Germany in northern Italy. The aircraft continued in service with both the Fascist
and Allied
Italian air forces. Of around 750 SM.82s built, about 500 were used by the Germans.
After the war, about 30 SM.82s continued in service with the Aeronautica Militare
until the early 1960s.
SM.82: This was the standard version, a transport aircraft with 32 seats, or room for up to 50 men, produced in the following series:
SM.82 (Bomber): With a bombardier's gondola and bomb racks. 68 aircraft were ordered, and others were modified to this standard, at least partially.
SM.82 Carro armato: Four aircraft were modified to carry the L3/35
light tank.
SM.82 Trasporto caccia: With modified ventral doors to accommodate a disassembled FIAT CR.32
, then adapted for a FIAT CR.42
. Only two aircraft (MM.60293 and MM.60294) were so ordered, and when used to deliver the aircraft to East Africa (a total of 51 aircraft) were fitted with two auxiliary fuel tanks (1,300 L/340 US gal each), and one additional oil tank (200 L/50 US gal).
SM.82 Trasporto motori: Two aircraft used to transport aircraft engines (MM.60290 and MM.60292) to Africa.
SM.82P: 21 aircraft of the VIII series, modified for the use of paratroops.
SM.82 tanker: Two aircraft to transport up to 3,000 L (790 US gal) of fuel. Weight: 11,300-18,700 kg (24,910-41,230 lb).
SM.82bis: 80 aircraft of series VIII, for night bombing, with 887 kW (1,190 hp) Piaggio P.IX engines. They were also fitted with the AR.128 engine, some in the S.82P and the S.82T versions.
SM.82 LATI: For international airlines. With ten seats, automatic pilot, toilet, enhanced radios, two additional fuel tanks of 653 L (173 US gal) each increased the range to 4,800 km (2,983 mi) at 250 km/h (155 mph). Maximum weight: 19,000 kg (41,888 lb). Only a few were built.
SM.82LW: Version for the Luftwaffe, with turrets and radios. 231 were in service in early 1944 in the "Savoia Gruppen", and were widely used in long range or heavy bombing missions.
S.82PD: An SM.75 modified for distance records, with 333 km/h (207 mph) over 1,000 km (620 mi) and 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), and 12,937 km (8,039 mi) in 57 h 32 min on 30 July-1 August 1939.
S.82PW: 20 S.82s modified postwar with Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engines. Weight 12,100/18,700 kg (26,680/41,230 lb), max speed 381 km/h (237 mph), ceiling 6,000 m (19,690 ft). They served until 3 August 1960, and MM.61187 is preserved in its silver postwar colour scheme, in the Italian Air Force Museum
at Vigna di Valle.
Experimental versions included MM.61408 with a central 1,007 kW (1,350 hp) Alfa Romeo 135
engine, while MM.60591 had three Piaggio P.XI from 31 October-7 November 1941. On 13 February 1942, Piaggio P.XIXs were installed. There were many other non-standard engine modifications; one was fitted with supercharger
s that gave a ceiling of the aircraft up to 10,000 m (32,810 ft), but the engines were worn out and the superchargers were removed.
Nazi Germany
Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)
Italian Social Republic
Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
bomber
Bomber
A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground and sea targets, by dropping bombs on them, or – in recent years – by launching cruise missiles at them.-Classifications of bombers:...
and transport aircraft of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was a cantilever, mid-wing monoplane
Monoplane
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with one main set of wing surfaces, in contrast to a biplane or triplane. Since the late 1930s it has been the most common form for a fixed wing aircraft.-Types of monoplane:...
trimotor
Trimotor
A trimotor is an aircraft powered by three piston engines.Trimotor designs were relatively common in the early days of aviation, as engines were less powerful and less reliable.-Notable types:* Armstrong Whitworth Argosy...
with a retractable, tailwheel undercarriage
Conventional landing gear
thumb|The [[Piper PA-18|Piper Super Cub]] is a popular taildragger aircraft.thumb|right|A [[Cessna 150]] converted to taildragger configuration by installation of an after-market modification kit....
. About 400 were built, the first entering service in 1940, but although able to operate as a bomber with a maximum bombload of up to 8,818 lb (4000 kg), the SM.82 saw very limited use in this role.
Post-war about 30 SM.82s continued in service with the Aeronautica Militare Italliana, many remaining in service until the early 1960s.
Development
The SM.82 was developed from the earlier SM.75 MarsupialeSavoia-Marchetti SM.75
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.75 Marsupiale was an Italian passenger and military transport aircraft of the 1930s and 1940s. It was a low-wing, trimotor monoplane of mixed metal and wood construction with a retractable tailwheel undercarriage....
civil transport as a heavy bomber
Heavy bomber
A heavy bomber is a bomber aircraft of the largest size and load carrying capacity, and usually the longest range.In New START, the term "heavy bomber" is used for two types of bombers:*one with a range greater than 8,000 kilometers...
and military transport
Military transport aircraft
Military transport aircraft are typically fixed and rotary wing cargo aircraft which are used to deliver troops, weapons and other military equipment by a variety of methods to any area of military operations around the surface of the planet, usually outside of the commercial flight routes in...
. Although having the same configuration of the SM.75, the SM.82 was larger. The aircraft was quickly developed and the prototype
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
first flew in 1939. Although underpowered and slow, it was capable of carrying heavy loads, including the L3 light tank
L3/35
The L3/35 or Carro Veloce CV-35 was an Italian tank used before and during World War II. Although designated a light tank by the Italian Army, its turretless configuration, weight and firepower make it closer to contemporary tankettes....
and a complete disassembled CR.42 fighter
Fiat CR.42
The Fiat CR.42 Falco was a single-seat sesquiplane fighter which served primarily in Italy's Regia Aeronautica before and during World War II. The aircraft was produced by the Turin firm, and entered service, in smaller numbers, with the air forces of Belgium, Sweden and Hungary...
(these loads demanded special modifications, though). It had both cargo and troop transport capability, with room up to 40 men and their equipment.
Deliveries to the Regia Aeronautica
Regia Aeronautica
The Italian Royal Air Force was the name of the air force of the Kingdom of Italy. It was established as a service independent of the Royal Italian Army from 1923 until 1946...
began in 1940
1940 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1940:- Events :* The worlds first high-performance, purpose-built night fighter, the British Bristol Beaufighter, enters combat.* The Consolidated Aircraft Corporation absorbs the Hall Aluminum Aircraft Corporation....
. However, production rates were slow, with only 100 aircraft delivered in 1940, and another 100 in 1941, so that there were never enough of these aircraft in service. By 1942 production doubled to 200 a year, while in 1944 almost 300 were produced, by which time the factory was under the control of the Germans.
In 1939 it set a world's closed circuit distance record when it covered 10,000 km at an average speed of 239.67 km/h, remaining in the air for 56.5 hours. The aircraft has seen extensive service throughout all the various African campaigns. In 1942 an SM.82 performed a four-day, 26,000 km liaison flight from Rome to Tokyo and return.
Design
The SM.82's fuselage was of mixed-construction, with welded-steel tube framework, with 22 frames and four longeronLongeron
In aircraft construction, a longeron or stringer or stiffener is a thin strip of wood, metal or carbon fiber, to which the skin of the aircraft is fastened. In the fuselage, longerons are attached to formers and run the longitudinal direction of the aircraft...
s, skinned with metal forward, and plywood
Plywood
Plywood is a type of manufactured timber made from thin sheets of wood veneer. It is one of the most widely used wood products. It is flexible, inexpensive, workable, re-usable, and can usually be locally manufactured...
and fabric elsewhere. The wing
Wing
A wing is an appendage with a surface that produces lift for flight or propulsion through the atmosphere, or through another gaseous or liquid fluid...
s were constructed almost entirely of wood, having three T-section spar
Spar (aviation)
In a fixed-wing aircraft, the spar is often the main structural member of the wing, running spanwise at right angles to the fuselage. The spar carries flight loads and the weight of the wings whilst on the ground...
s, and 42 ribs in each. The flap
Flap (aircraft)
Flaps are normally hinged surfaces mounted on the trailing edges of the wings of a fixed-wing aircraft to reduce the speed an aircraft can be safely flown at and to increase the angle of descent for landing without increasing air speed. They shorten takeoff and landing distances as well as...
s were made from a single piece of wood, while the ribs were of light and flexible poplar
Poplar
Populus is a genus of 25–35 species of deciduous flowering plants in the family Salicaceae, native to most of the Northern Hemisphere. English names variously applied to different species include poplar , aspen, and cottonwood....
. The skin was of fabric-covered plywood, doped
Aircraft dope
thumb|right|[[United Kingdom military aircraft serials|2699]] a [[World War I]] [[Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2]] finished in a clear dopeAircraft dope is a plasticised lacquer that is applied to fabric-covered aircraft...
to be water-resistant. The aileron
Aileron
Ailerons are hinged flight control surfaces attached to the trailing edge of the wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. The ailerons are used to control the aircraft in roll, which results in a change in heading due to the tilting of the lift vector...
s (+13/-28°) occupied about half of the wing's trailing edge
Trailing edge
The trailing edge of an aerodynamic surface such as a wing is its rear edge, where the airflow separated by the leading edge rejoins. Essential control surfaces are attached here to redirect the air flow and exert a controlling force by changing its momentum...
while Handley Page slat
Leading edge slats
Slats are aerodynamic surfaces on the leading edge of the wings of fixed-wing aircraft which, when deployed, allow the wing to operate at a higher angle of attack. A higher coefficient of lift is produced as a result of angle of attack and speed, so by deploying slats an aircraft can fly at slower...
s occupied the leading-edge. The tail had a conventional spruce
Spruce
A spruce is a tree of the genus Picea , a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the Family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal regions of the earth. Spruces are large trees, from tall when mature, and can be distinguished by their whorled branches and conical...
structure and a plywood skin, while the rudder and elevator
Elevator (aircraft)
Elevators are flight control surfaces, usually at the rear of an aircraft, which control the aircraft's orientation by changing the pitch of the aircraft, and so also the angle of attack of the wing. In simplified terms, they make the aircraft nose-up or nose-down...
s were a fabric-covered metal framework.
Inside, there were two levels. The upper level held seats for 32. The lower level was used for freight or to carry bombs when used in the bombing role, with two large duralumin
Duralumin
Duralumin is the trade name of one of the earliest types of age-hardenable aluminium alloys. The main alloying constituents are copper, manganese, and magnesium. A commonly used modern equivalent of this alloy type is AA2024, which contains 4.4% copper, 1.5% magnesium, 0.6% manganese and 93.5%...
bomb bay doors. The floor was made of wood, with nine detachable panels, that helped with the accommodation (through the bomb bay doors) of heavy loads. The cockpit
Cockpit
A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft. Most modern cockpits are enclosed, except on some small aircraft, and cockpits on large airliners are also physically separated from the cabin...
held four: two pilots, with the first (on the left) with an armoured seat, a mechanic and an engineer/gunner.
Internal equipment comprised a radio-transmitter (AR8 and AR350), a fire extinguisher
Fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher or extinguisher, flame entinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations...
system, an electrical generator. The instruments included altimeter
Altimeter
An altimeter is an instrument used to measure the altitude of an object above a fixed level. The measurement of altitude is called altimetry, which is related to the term bathymetry, the measurement of depth underwater.-Pressure altimeter:...
s, thermometers, compass
Compass
A compass is a navigational instrument that shows directions in a frame of reference that is stationary relative to the surface of the earth. The frame of reference defines the four cardinal directions – north, south, east, and west. Intermediate directions are also defined...
, clock, and a Telefunken P63N radio goniometer
Goniometer
A goniometer is an instrument that either measures an angle or allows an object to be rotated to a precise angular position. The term goniometry is derived from two Greek words, gōnia, meaning angle, and metron, meaning measure....
.
The SM.82 was fitted with three 641 kW (860 hp) Alfa Romeo 128 RC.18
Alfa Romeo 125
Alfa Romeo built/designed several aircraft engines based on Bristol Jupiter and Pegasus designs. These engines were named as 125, 126, 128, 129 and 131. The 126-RC34 was derived from Bristol Pegasus and 126-RC35 from Jupiter 9-cylinder radial design. All these engines were mainly fitted to Italian...
radial engine
Radial engine
The radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders point outward from a central crankshaft like the spokes on a wheel...
s with aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
and steel three-blade constant speed propeller
Constant speed propeller
A constant speed propeller is a type of propeller that can change its blade pitch to take better advantage of the power supplied by an engine in much the same way that a transmission in a car takes better advantage of its power source...
s 3.6 m (11 ft 9 in) in diameter. These engines were the ultimate evolution of the license-built Bristol Pegasus.
The aircraft had six self-sealing fuel tanks in each wing, three between the second and third spar, with a total of 1,276 L (337 US gal). Between the first and second spar there were another three fuel tanks with 653 L (173 US gal). Another tank in the nose, with 167 L (44 US gal) of 100 octane fuel (rather than 87) for the electric generator. The total weight of fuel amounted to 4,403 kg (9,707 lb), plus 136 L (36 US gal) of oil.
The SM.82 had both defensive and offensive armament. For offensive purposes it could carry a very wide range of ordnance, up to 4,000 kg (8,820 lb).
- 4 × 800 kg (1,760 lb)
- 8 × 500 kg (1,100 lb)
- 8 × 250 kg (550 lb)
- 27 × 50 kg (110 lb) or 100 kg (220 lb) bombs
- 25 × 100 kg (220 lb) cluster bombs, each containing 56 bomblets, though these were rarely used.
Control over bomb release was in the retractable ventral bombardier's gondola, equipped with a Jozza bombsight and also fitted with a rear-facing 7.7 mm (.303 in) Breda machine gun. Accommodation for the bombardier was far from ideal, being cramped, unheated, unpressurized, and not connected to the oxygen system. The 1 mm steel structure was also highly vulnerable to enemy fire.
For protection, only the first pilot's seat was armoured, while the self-sealing fuel tank
Self-sealing fuel tank
In aviation, self-sealing fuel tank is a fuel tank technology in wide use since World War II that prevents fuel tanks primarily on aircraft from leaking fuel and igniting after being damaged by enemy fire....
s were proofed, theoretically, against 12.7 mm (.50 in) rounds, but did not have Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
pressurization to prevent explosions if they were hit by tracer, incendiary or explosive rounds. No other armour was fitted. All this made it extremely vulnerable to enemy fire.
The main defensive weapon was a Caproni-Lanciani rotating dorsal turret, armed with a Scotti 12.7 mm (.50 in) machine gun with 350 rounds. This weapon was theoretically more powerful and lighter than the Breda-SAFAT, but reliability was a concern, and projectile dispersion was so wide as to reduce the theoretical range of 400 m (1,310 ft) to around 200 m (660 ft) in practice. Additional 7.7 mm (.303 in) Breda-SAFAT machine gun
Breda-SAFAT machine gun
Breda-SAFAT was a series of machine-guns mounted on Italian aircraft during World War II. The weapon came in 7.7mm and 12.7mm variants. The 7.7mm model was similar to the M1919 Browning machine gun and could use some types of .303 British ammunition. The 12.7mm version could fire a...
s were mounted in each side and in the bombardier's gondola, with four 215-round magazines each. The gondola's machine gun was of little use given the cramped accommodation, and was often not fitted, even in the SM.82 equipped for the bombing role. German machine-guns were used in the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
versions, with the 13 mm (.51 in) MG 131
MG 131 machine gun
The MG 131 was a German 13 mm caliber machine gun developed in 1938 by Rheinmetall-Borsig and produced from 1940 to 1945...
in the turret. 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17
MG 17 machine gun
The MG 17 was a 7.92 mm machine gun produced by Rheinmetall-Borsig for use at fixed mountings in many World War II Luftwaffe aircraft.- History :...
s were used in some aircraft.
The SM.82's performance was modest, with a cruising speed only 250 km/h (160 mph) at 3,000 m (9,840 ft), even without the bombardier's gondola under the nose (which added more drag), it was slow, while its silhouette was large and easy to spot. The ceiling was seldom over 5,000 m (16,400 ft). This left the SM.82 well inside the operational altitude of most fighters of the time, as well as the effective range of heavy and medium anti-aircraft guns. In comparison the B-17 had a ceiling of 6,000-9,000 m (19,690-29,530 ft), almost out of range of both German 88 mm (3.46 in) AA and FW 190
Focke-Wulf Fw 190
The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger was a German Second World War single-seat, single-engine fighter aircraft designed by Kurt Tank in the late 1930s. Powered by a radial engine, the 190 had ample power and was able to lift larger loads than its well-known counterpart, the Messerschmitt Bf 109...
fighters.
In operation, when faced with a fighter opposition, the SM.82 suffered a devastating loss rate. On 24 November 1942, three Beaufighters downed seven SM.82s, a 100% loss. Later on 10 April 1943, 10 out of 20 in formation were downed by a single pass of a P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
squadron. At altitude, the SM.82 was almost a fixed target for both flak and fighter opposition.
Early missions
The first missions were to transport Italian troops to LibyaLibya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, together with their heavy equipment, but the first two squadrons had only three SM.82s each. The first flights were made the beginning of June 1940, transporting 360 men of 61° Infantry Regiment.
Initially, the aircraft were organized in 149° Gruppo, with a SM.73 and SM.75
Savoia-Marchetti SM.75
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.75 Marsupiale was an Italian passenger and military transport aircraft of the 1930s and 1940s. It was a low-wing, trimotor monoplane of mixed metal and wood construction with a retractable tailwheel undercarriage....
. On the 17 June 1940 the first mission for all five aircraft of the Gruppo, transported ten anti-tank guns and 17 radio-communication units.
By 24 June, there were 11 aircraft employed in transporting men and equipment to Africa. Within a few weeks a further 25 were delivered. On 24 June, the first SM.82 was lost during a resupply mission in the desert.
In July 1940, a series of bombing missions to Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
was organized, with 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) of bombs in each aircraft. The first bombing mission was on 17 July 1940 with three SM.82s taking off from Guidonia at 1940, and flying 1,600 km (995 mi) to arrive over Gibraltar eight hours later at 0340. Another mission was launched from Sardinia
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
to shorten the journey, then another on 20 August, this time by 32° Wing. However one of the two aircraft, carrying a 1,000 kg (2,210 lb) bombload, was shot down. The other two aircraft in 32° Wing were reassigned to transport squadrons.
In mid-1940, 41° Group was sent to Rhodes
Rhodes
Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
with three SM.82s, and other four in October, for the special mission
Bombing of Bahrain in World War II
The bombing of Bahrain in World War II was part of an effort by the Italian Royal Air Force to strike at the British interests wherever possible in the Middle East.-Background:...
to the British-controlled oil refineries at Manama
Manama
Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, with an approximate population of 155,000 people.Long an important trading center in the Persian Gulf, Manama is home to a very diverse population...
in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
. This meant a flight of 4,200 km (2,610 mi), lasting 15 hours at 270 km/h (170 mph), that was for the time arguably a record for a bombing mission. Four SM.82s took off from Rhodes
Rhodes
Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
, under the command of Ettore Muti
Ettore Muti
Ettore Muti was an Italian aviator and Fascist politician. He was Party Secretary of the National Fascist Party from October 1939 until shortly after the entry of Italy into World War II on June 10, 1940.-World War I and Fiume:Born in Ravenna, Romagna, Muti was banned from any school in the...
. Each aircraft carried a load of 1,500 kg (3,310 lb). This long-range action was successful, taking the target totally by surprise, and the SM.82s landed without problems at Zula
Zula
Zula is a small town in central Eritrea. It is situated near the head of Annesley Bay , on the Red Sea coast...
. This raid caused the Allies some concerns, forcing them to upgrade their defences. This, more than the limited amount of damage caused, further stretched Allied military resources.
However the scarcity of SM.82s hampered further long-range missions, though some actions were carried out. Six single aircraft night bombing missions were mounted, mainly against Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, in October and November 1940. All these missions were performed by SM.82s of 114° Gruppo, but all of their aircraft were destroyed or damaged by the time of Operation Compass
Operation Compass
Operation Compass was the first major Allied military operation of the Western Desert Campaign during World War II. British and Commonwealth forces attacked Italian forces in western Egypt and eastern Libya in December 1940 to February 1941. The attack was a complete success...
in December 1940.
East African Campaign
The need for transport aircraft meant that, apart from occasional special operations, like dropping paratroops, the SM.82s were used solely in this role; especially to maintain contact with Eastern Africa which was more and more isolated from the rest of the Italian forces.Italy at that time had control of part of East Africa
Italian East Africa
Italian East Africa was an Italian colonial administrative subdivision established in 1936, resulting from the merger of the Ethiopian Empire with the old colonies of Italian Somaliland and Italian Eritrea. In August 1940, British Somaliland was conquered and annexed to Italian East Africa...
(AOI, Africa Orientale Italiana), and needed a long-range supply aircraft to support its troops fighting the East African Campaign
East African Campaign (World War II)
The East African Campaign was a series of battles fought in East Africa during World War II by the British Empire, the British Commonwealth of Nations and several allies against the forces of Italy from June 1940 to November 1941....
.
149° Gruppo flew many missions over the Adriatic, and to Ethiopia, despite the fact that the pilots were convinced that given the strong, contrary winds, the slow SM.82s would be unable to return to Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
.
The missions to eastern Africa were carried out with a 1,300 L (340 US gal) auxiliary tank fitted, and the first mission was successfully performed on 27 July 1940, between Benghazi
Benghazi
Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya, the main city of the Cyrenaica region , and the former provisional capital of the National Transitional Council. The wider metropolitan area is also a district of Libya...
(Libya) and Asmara
Asmara
Asmara is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people...
(Eritrea). However, on the fourth mission aircraft MM.60277 overran the airstrip and was largely destroyed by fire. 149° Gruppo flew 330 missions with its S.82s, S.75s and S.83s. By the end of 1940, the SM.82s had logged 5,187 hours flight time, with 16,267 passengers and 2,247 tonnes of materials.
On 23 August 1940, the first delivery of a Fiat CR.42 fighter was made to Eastern Africa. By April 1941, 51 CR.42s and 51 reserve engines had been delivered, but despite this effort the AOI fell to the Allies in May 1941.
In March 1941, 32° Wing received some new SM.82s, and organized five bombing missions over Gibraltar in June and July, always with only one aircraft. On 1 April 1942, another attack was made three aircraft that dropped 18 160 kg (353 lb) bombs. All this accounted for just eight attacks in almost two years on this key British position, with around twenty aircraft (between one and three each time), and a little more than a tonne of bombs delivered by each aircraft.
North Africa
The Special Bombing Section was constituted, with only two SM.82s, on 10 April 1941, and another five aircraft were delivered later. They performed only a few missions as bombers, including two over AlexandriaAlexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
in May and June, before being used as transports.
On 1 March 1941, 146° Gruppo was formed with 17 SM.82s, one SM.79 and one Ca.164
Caproni Ca.164
|-See also:...
. 146° Gruppo, along with 145° and 149° Gruppo, were mainly involved in transport missions to North Africa. In May 1941 during the Anglo-Iraqi War
Anglo-Iraqi War
The Anglo-Iraqi War was the name of the British campaign against the rebel government of Rashid Ali in the Kingdom of Iraq during the Second World War. The war lasted from 2 May to 31 May 1941. The campaign resulted in the re-occupation of Iraq by British armed forces and the return to power of the...
the Iraqis requested help from Axis air forces, and SM.82s flew several missions via Syria
French Mandate of Syria
Officially the French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon was a League of Nations mandate founded after the First World War and the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire...
carrying a total of 18 tonnes of equipment and 25 persons.
In July 1941 37° Gruppo was equipped with SM.82s. In 1942, 18° Wing, and then 44°, 45°, and 48° Wing were equipped with the aircraft. From the end of 1942, these aircraft flew many supply missions across the Mediterranean, until Operation Flax
Operation Flax
Operation Flax was a Western Allied air operation executed during the Battle of Tunisia and North African Campaign of the Second World War. The operation was designed to cut the air supply lines between Italy and the Axis armies in Tunis Tunisia, in April, 1943...
in April 1943 ended the air bridge to Axis forces in Tunisia.
The SM.82 suffered many losses. In December 1941, six were destroyed by Bristol Blenheim
Bristol Blenheim
The Bristol Blenheim was a British light bomber aircraft designed and built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that was used extensively in the early days of the Second World War. It was adapted as an interim long-range and night fighter, pending the availability of the Beaufighter...
s at Castelvetrano
Castelvetrano
Castelvetrano is a town and comune in the province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy. The archeological site of Selinunte is located within the territory of the comune. It was the birthplace of Giovanni Gentile, the key philosopher of the Fascist movement in Italy.The town is predominantly a farming town,...
airfield in a single night. In the last months of the North African campaign, SM.82s were used to send troops and materials, even though it was clear that this campaign was lost after El Alamein
Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The battle took place over 20 days from 23 October – 11 November 1942. The First Battle of El Alamein had stalled the Axis advance. Thereafter, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery...
. Around 100 SM.82 were shot down or destroyed on the ground between November 1942 and April 1943.
Among other episodes, on 2 November 1942, seven (or six depending on source) SM.82s were forced to land (or crashed) by only three Beaufighter
Bristol Beaufighter
The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
s. On 12 November 1942, six Beaufighters downed an entire formation of five SM.82s. On 22 November, ten SM.82s were attacked by three Beaufighters, causing much damage and killing or wounding many of the troops inside the unarmoured aircraft. On 10 April 1943, another seven were downed, four more on 16 April, and finally on 19 April 1943 twelve SM.82, one SM.75, and three Fiat G.12
Fiat G.12
-See also:-References:* Angelucci, Enzo The World Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. London:Jane's Publishing, 1981. ISBN 0-7106-0148-4.* Angelucci, Enzo The World Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, London, 1987....
s were downed or forced to land.
Attacks on airfields destroyed five S.82s at Benina airfield (19 km/12 mi east of Benghazi), three at Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
in 22 January 1943, and three on 24 March. At Castelvetrano, 11 SM.82s were destroyed on 13 April. During the attacks on Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
on 19 July 1943, eight S.82s were destroyed and seven damaged at Urbe
Urbe
Urbe is a comune in the Province of Savona in the Italian region Liguria, located about 30 km northwest of Genoa and about 25 km northeast of Savona...
airfield, and four SM.82s were destroyed, and 14 damaged over Ciampino
Ciampino
Ciampino is a town and comune in the province of Rome, Lazio, Italy. It was a frazione of Marino until 1974, when it became a comune; it obtained the city status in 2004 by presidential decree.-Overview:It is best known for the local "Giovan Battista Pastine" International Airport, best known as...
. Both in the air or on the ground, SM.82s were easy targets.
145° Group, usually a transport unit, was also equipped with some bomber versions and attacked enemy targets in Marmarica
Marmarica
Marmarica in ancient geography referred to the part of the North African coast between Cyrenaica and Aegyptus.It corresponds to what is now the border region between Libya and Egypt, including the towns of Bomba , Timimi , Tobruk , Acroma , Bardiya, As-Salum, Sidi Barrani .It...
and Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
in four night raids in June 1942. On 3 July a single aircraft bombed the El Haman airfield in Libya.
Another four aircraft flew from Rodi airfield to bomb Alexandria, but after only four missions, all four aircraft were taken out of service. On July 1943 there were bombing missions over Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, to interdict
Air interdiction
Air interdiction is the use of aircraft to attack tactical ground targets that are not in close proximity to friendly ground forces. It differs from close air support because it does not directly support ground operations and is not closely coordinated with ground units...
enemy landings
Allied invasion of Sicily
The Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, was a major World War II campaign, in which the Allies took Sicily from the Axis . It was a large scale amphibious and airborne operation, followed by six weeks of land combat. It launched the Italian Campaign.Husky began on the night of...
, like the one that dropped 20 cluster bombs (100 kg/220 lb and 28 bomblets each) over Comiso
Comiso
Comiso is an Italian municipality in the Province of Ragusa in Sicily.-Geography:Comiso consists of three boroughs: Comiso, Pedalino, and Quaglio. It lies some 22 km west of Ragusa in the South of Sicily...
.
These missions were only a nuisance to the Allies, even if they forced them to assign first line air defences and interceptors to counter the threat. This was the main reason for the Italians to mount these missions, although only a total of 100 sortie
Sortie
Sortie is a term for deployment or dispatch of one military unit, be it an aircraft, ship, or troops from a strongpoint. The sortie, whether by one or more aircraft or vessels, usually has a specific mission....
s were flown in three years of war, with an average of 1,000-1,500 kg (2,200-3,310 lb) bombload, and the use of some of the best aviators of the Regia Aereonautica.
The most successful missions for the SM-82 were in the paratrooper transport role,several special paratrooper models were made,but all were used by simply putting wooden planks in the bomb bay to stand on.over 15 combat air drops were made successfully with few losses in Italy, Africa, Greece and Russia.
After the armistice
After the armisticeArmistice with Italy
The Armistice with Italy was an armistice signed on September 3 and publicly declared on September 8, 1943, during World War II, between Italy and the Allied armed forces, who were then occupying the southern end of the country, entailing the capitulation of Italy...
in September 1943, the Germans captured 200 SM.82s, many being operated as transports by the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
. Only 29 were operated by the ICAF
Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force
The Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force , or Air Force of the South , was the air force of the Royalist "Badoglio government" in southern Italy during the last years of World War II. The ACI was formed in southern Italy in October 1943 after the Italian Armistice in September...
in southern Italy.
The Germans were thus rewarded for the delays in their order for 100 S.82s, only 35 of which were delivered in 1943. These aircraft had better capabilities as transports than the Ju 52, the standard transport aircraft of the Luftwaffe, even if it was much more robust, being all metal. The "Savoia Gruppen" operated many of these aircraft, with a force in early 1944 of over 230 aircraft, but little is recorded of the activities of these aircraft in the last 18 months of the war as most were adhoc units.records were either not kept or destroyed.
In 1944 almost 300 SM.82s were built for the Germans, as no bombing raid on the Savoia Marchetti factory was ever made by the Allies, which is something of a mystery since it was one of the most important aircraft industries in the Italian Social Republic
Italian Social Republic
The Italian Social Republic was a puppet state of Nazi Germany led by the "Duce of the Nation" and "Minister of Foreign Affairs" Benito Mussolini and his Republican Fascist Party. The RSI exercised nominal sovereignty in northern Italy but was largely dependent on the Wehrmacht to maintain control...
, the puppet state installed by Germany in northern Italy. The aircraft continued in service with both the Fascist
Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana
thumb|250px|Wing emblem of the A.N.R. from 1944 to 1945.The National Republican Air Force was the air force of the Italian Social Republic during World War II, closely linked with the German Air Force in northern Italy.-Description:This air force was tasked with defending the industrial areas of...
and Allied
Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force
The Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force , or Air Force of the South , was the air force of the Royalist "Badoglio government" in southern Italy during the last years of World War II. The ACI was formed in southern Italy in October 1943 after the Italian Armistice in September...
Italian air forces. Of around 750 SM.82s built, about 500 were used by the Germans.
After the war, about 30 SM.82s continued in service with the Aeronautica Militare
Aeronautica Militare
The Italian Air Force is the air force of the Italian Republic. It has held a prominent role in modern Italian military history...
until the early 1960s.
Civil transport
Even with the outbreak of the war long-range civilian routes did not end. The civil aircraft had 14 seats, 1,306 l (345 US gal) of additional fuel, and 350 kg (770 lb) of military equipment removed. They flew to Brazil via Spain and West Africa. Between 11 September 1940 and the entry of Brazil into the war in 1941, 68 flights were made. Two aircraft, I-BAIA and I-BRAZ, were lost in December 1940. Some S.82s were used in militarized service, with Special Air Services and the task of personnel transport, including the civilian evacuations in 1941.Variants
Although the basic design of the SM.82 remained the same there were many configurations and modifications in the 10 series manufactured from 1940 to 1945.SM.82: This was the standard version, a transport aircraft with 32 seats, or room for up to 50 men, produced in the following series:
- I, 50 aircraft (MM.60270-60319)
- II, 20 aircraft (MM.60320-60339)
- III, 30 aircraft (MM.60483-60512)
- IV, 50 aircraft (MM.60783-60884)
- V, 62 aircraft (MM.60721-60770)
- VI, 102 aircraft (MM.60783-60884)
- VII, 102 aircraft (MM.61175-61276)
- VIII, 90 aircraft (MM.61323-61397)
- IX, 120 aircraft (MM.61513-61632)
- X, 100 aircraft ordered, but only 87 built (MM.61782-61882)
SM.82 (Bomber): With a bombardier's gondola and bomb racks. 68 aircraft were ordered, and others were modified to this standard, at least partially.
SM.82 Carro armato: Four aircraft were modified to carry the L3/35
L3/35
The L3/35 or Carro Veloce CV-35 was an Italian tank used before and during World War II. Although designated a light tank by the Italian Army, its turretless configuration, weight and firepower make it closer to contemporary tankettes....
light tank.
SM.82 Trasporto caccia: With modified ventral doors to accommodate a disassembled FIAT CR.32
Fiat CR.32
The Fiat CR.32 was an Italian biplane fighter used in the Spanish Civil War and World War II. This nimble little Fiat was compact, robust and highly manoeuvrable and gave impressive displays all over Europe in the hands of the Pattuglie Acrobatiche. The CR.32 fought in North and East Africa, in...
, then adapted for a FIAT CR.42
Fiat CR.42
The Fiat CR.42 Falco was a single-seat sesquiplane fighter which served primarily in Italy's Regia Aeronautica before and during World War II. The aircraft was produced by the Turin firm, and entered service, in smaller numbers, with the air forces of Belgium, Sweden and Hungary...
. Only two aircraft (MM.60293 and MM.60294) were so ordered, and when used to deliver the aircraft to East Africa (a total of 51 aircraft) were fitted with two auxiliary fuel tanks (1,300 L/340 US gal each), and one additional oil tank (200 L/50 US gal).
SM.82 Trasporto motori: Two aircraft used to transport aircraft engines (MM.60290 and MM.60292) to Africa.
SM.82P: 21 aircraft of the VIII series, modified for the use of paratroops.
SM.82 tanker: Two aircraft to transport up to 3,000 L (790 US gal) of fuel. Weight: 11,300-18,700 kg (24,910-41,230 lb).
SM.82bis: 80 aircraft of series VIII, for night bombing, with 887 kW (1,190 hp) Piaggio P.IX engines. They were also fitted with the AR.128 engine, some in the S.82P and the S.82T versions.
SM.82 LATI: For international airlines. With ten seats, automatic pilot, toilet, enhanced radios, two additional fuel tanks of 653 L (173 US gal) each increased the range to 4,800 km (2,983 mi) at 250 km/h (155 mph). Maximum weight: 19,000 kg (41,888 lb). Only a few were built.
SM.82LW: Version for the Luftwaffe, with turrets and radios. 231 were in service in early 1944 in the "Savoia Gruppen", and were widely used in long range or heavy bombing missions.
S.82PD: An SM.75 modified for distance records, with 333 km/h (207 mph) over 1,000 km (620 mi) and 1,000 kg (2,200 lb), and 12,937 km (8,039 mi) in 57 h 32 min on 30 July-1 August 1939.
S.82PW: 20 S.82s modified postwar with Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engines. Weight 12,100/18,700 kg (26,680/41,230 lb), max speed 381 km/h (237 mph), ceiling 6,000 m (19,690 ft). They served until 3 August 1960, and MM.61187 is preserved in its silver postwar colour scheme, in the Italian Air Force Museum
Italian Air Force Museum
The Italian Air Force Museum is an aircraft museum at Vigna di Valle, on the Lake Bracciano , central Italy. It is operated by the Aeronautica Militare.- Propeller aircraft :* Ansaldo AC.2* Ansaldo SVA 5* Blériot XI* Caproni Ca.3* Caproni Ca.100...
at Vigna di Valle.
Experimental versions included MM.61408 with a central 1,007 kW (1,350 hp) Alfa Romeo 135
Alfa Romeo 135
The Alfa Romeo 135 Tornado was an Italian 18-cylinder radial engine designed by Giustino Cattaneo in 1934-35. It basically consisted of two nine-cylinder radials, using similar engines to the Alfa Romeo 126. Cattaneo leaved A.R. in 1936, leaving the development to eng. Bossi and his staff, but...
engine, while MM.60591 had three Piaggio P.XI from 31 October-7 November 1941. On 13 February 1942, Piaggio P.XIXs were installed. There were many other non-standard engine modifications; one was fitted with supercharger
Supercharger
A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
s that gave a ceiling of the aircraft up to 10,000 m (32,810 ft), but the engines were worn out and the superchargers were removed.
Operators
Nazi Germany
- LuftwaffeLuftwaffeLuftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)
- Regia AeronauticaRegia AeronauticaThe Italian Royal Air Force was the name of the air force of the Kingdom of Italy. It was established as a service independent of the Royal Italian Army from 1923 until 1946...
Italian Social Republic
- Aeronautica Nazionale RepubblicanaAeronautica Nazionale Repubblicanathumb|250px|Wing emblem of the A.N.R. from 1944 to 1945.The National Republican Air Force was the air force of the Italian Social Republic during World War II, closely linked with the German Air Force in northern Italy.-Description:This air force was tasked with defending the industrial areas of...
Italy
- Aeronautica MilitareAeronautica MilitareThe Italian Air Force is the air force of the Italian Republic. It has held a prominent role in modern Italian military history...
Specifications (SM.82)
See also
Sources
- Catalanotto, Baldassare. SIAI SM. 82 (Ali d'Italia 14). Torino, Italy: La Bancarella Aeronautica, 2000
- Lembo, Daniele. "SIAI SM.82 Marsupiale" Aerei Nella Storia, Issue 22. Parma, Italy: West-ward Edizioni, 2002, p. 10-31.
- Mondey, David. The Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II. New York: Bounty Books, 1996. ISBN 1-85152-966-7.
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