Savoia-Marchetti S. 78 Asso 750 Serie 12.

ImportantSimone5 · May 13, 2024, 7:37pm

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Savoia-Marchetti S. 78 Asso 750 Serie 12.

History.

The Savoia Marchetti S.78 was a mid-hull, single-engine biplane seaplane with a wooden structure, produced by the Italian company Savoia-Marchetti in the early 1930s. This aircraft was a derivative of the Savoia-Marchetti S.62, for which it differed only in terms of engine and drop armament, as well as the S.78 being a little more massive. The prototype (MM.222) flew for the first time at the end of 1932, and was then transferred the following year to Vigna di Valle for testing by the Regia Aeronautica. A total of 49 examples of this aircraft were built, which differed from the original design only in how the pilots were positioned in the cockpit. The SM.78 seaplanes entered service with the 144th, 182nd, 141st and 189th Squadrons. Most of the vehicles flew until 1938, when they were progressively replaced by the more advanced CANT Z.501. Several S.78s that remained in service after 1938 were used at the beginning of World War II as sea rescue and recovery aircraft. Spain attempted to purchase some examples without success, so Italy was the only real operator of the S.78.

Armaments and propulsion.

The aircraft was defended by two (or four, but only single mountings were documented with photos) 7.7 mm airborne English Lewis machine guns placed in two positions, one front and one rear. The rear position was protected by a glass dome, while the front one was open and placed on a Scarff ring. The front gun had 564 rounds in 12 magazines, while the rear machine gun had 470 rounds in 10 magazines. The bombs were loaded under the wings in various combinations: 2x 250 and 2x 100, 6x 100, 6x 12 or 4x 70.
The plane was powered by a 900 hp Isotta-Fraschini Asso 750 engine, which allowed the plane to reach 245 km/h for a range of approximately 2,500 km.

Specifications.

Spoiler

Wingspan: 16.66 m
Length: 12.26 m
Height: 4.34 m
Wing surface area: 69.50 m2
Maximum weight: 5,050 kg
Engine: Isotta Fraschini Asso 750, 900 hp
Maximum speed: 245 km/h
Practical autonomy: 2,500 km
Crew: 4
Armament: 2-4 Lewis machine guns and up to 700 kg of bombs in various combinations

Pictures and drawnings.

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