- Yes
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The SIAI Marchetti SM.79, also known as the “Sparviero” (Sparrowhawk), stands as one of the most iconic aircraft in Italian aviation history. Initially designed as a fast civilian transport aircraft, the SM.79 quickly evolved into a versatile medium bomber and torpedo bomber that made an indelible mark in military history.
Development and Design:
The SM.79 took its maiden flight on September 28, 1934, marking the beginning of a series of world records it set between 1937 and 1939, making it the fastest medium bomber in the world for a time. With a mixed wood and metal structure, the SM.79 was easily recognizable by its distinctive dorsal “hump,” housing a machine gun and its gunner.
Operational Use:
The SM.79 was first deployed in the Spanish Civil War and subsequently during World War II, where it operated in all Mediterranean theaters. Initially used as a bomber, it was later successfully adapted to the role of a torpedo bomber, achieving notable successes against enemy ships.
Legacy and Retirement:
The SM.79 remained in service until 1950 in Italy and was one of the most produced Italian aircraft, with about 1,300 units built. Its versatility and exceptional performance have made it a benchmark in aviation history and a symbol of engineering and courage.
But now we need to speak about this particular version.
In January 1938 the Direzione Generale Costrizioni e Approvvigionamenti (Directorate-General for Construction and Procurement), DGCA, proposed a competition for the “Bombardiere Normale” to have a plane capable of: 530 km/h of maximum speed, carrying a payload of 1000 kg and a range of 2600 km.
SIAI-Marchetti proposed to the DGCA the “Aereo 120”, a SM.79 with FIAT A.74 RC.38, instead of the Alfa Romeo 126 RC.34, and a twin fin tail.
The Aereo 120 was transferred to Guidonia at the 1° Centro Sperimentale di Volo but nothing more is known.
The successor of the 79 was finally identified in the SM.84.
During the 1939 the DGCA choose that the orders for the S.79 needed to be changed for the ones of the SM.84. The SM.84 designation was used interchangeably between SM.89, SM.79bis and SM.84. In all this confusion in 1939 SIAI asked back the 79-120 to install Piaggio P.XI RC40 engines promising to speed up the construction of the SM.84. The test presumably gave good results because the first flight of the SM.84 was performed the 5th of June 1940
Why we need this plane in War Thunder? Because it’s an interesting prototype! It’s a SM.79 mixed to the SM.84!
Specifications
Spoiler
Here it’s the trichy part: There are no official data on the performance of this plane but we can use as reference a record plane that mounted the same engines (with less performance due to the bigger tail)
Length 15,60 m
Wingspan 21,20 m
Height 4,60 m
Wing area 61.70 m²
Empty weight 6 800 kg (even with the Piaggios)
Loaded weight 11 600 kg (the SM.79 with Piaggios carried 2000 kg of weight for the record)
Fuel capacity 2800 L
Propulsion
Engine 3 radial Piaggio P.XI RC40
Power 986 hp (735 kW) each
Performance
Max speed 469 km/h (lower due to the bigger rudder)
Range 2500 km
Tangency 7500 m
Armament
3xBreda-SAFAT 12.7 mm machine guns (one in forward fixed position, one defensive in upper hump and one in ventral turret)
Two Lewis 7.7 mm in beam position
Bombs: up to 1 250 kg (5x250 kg bombs)
Torpedoes: 1x450 mm
Photos
Spoiler
The only two photos of th MM.21493
Sources
Spoiler
Cesare Gori - Ali d’Italia: SIAI SM.84
S.79 P.XI. Savoia Marchetti S.79 Фотоархив
Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79 - Wikipedia
Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero - Wikipedia