- Yes
- No
Background
Spoiler
The Savoia-Marchetti S.72, developed by Savoia-Marchetti, was an enhanced and reinforced version of the previous S.71. This Italian three-engine transport monoplane featured a high-wing cantilever design and a fixed tailwheel landing gear. Initially designed as a heavy bomber, the prototype took its maiden flight in 1934, equipped with three 410 kW (550 hp) Alfa Romeo licence-built Bristol Pegasus radial engines. The Regia Aeronautica displayed no inclination towards utilizing the aircraft as a heavy bomber, instead opting to employ the prototype as a means of VIP transportation.
After its demonstration in China in 1935, the prototype was presented as a gift to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. Following this, the Chinese ordered an additional six (Some Sources state 10) aircraft, which were then assembled within the country. The 10th Squadron of the ROCAF utilized the Savoia-Marchetti S.72s along with Caproni Ca.111s in their operations. Sources differ but it is believed that by the time of the Sino-Japanese war that almost all of the S.72’s were not in the condition to perform bombing duties and were instead used solely for transport. Most of the S.72’s were destroyed when the area that was housing them got bombed by the IJAAS in 1937. No mentions of them after 1937, presumed all were lost.
Technical Data
Specifications
Length - 19.95 m
Wingspan - 29.68 m
Height - 5.5 m
Empty Weight - 6,800 kg
Gross Weight - 12,800 kg
Engine - 3 x Alfa Romeo license-built Bristol Pegasus engines (410 kW each)
Max Speed - 295 km/h
Range - 2,000 km
Service Ceiling - 8,000 m
Crew - Presumably 3 Gunners, 2 Pilots, 1 Bombardier.
Armament
1 x Forward 20mm Cannon of unknown type
1 x 2 x 7.7mm Breda-Safat machine guns in dorsal turret (Some of the S.72s don’t have them)
1 x 7.7mm Breda-Safat machine gun in ventral turret.
1 x 7.7mm Breda-Safat machine gun, 2 x beam turrets
Up to 1,000 kg of bombs
Images
Sources