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Italeri 1/72 Savoia Marchetti SM.82 Bombardiere (Bomber) by Vince Fiore |
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This airplane remained in service for more than 20 years. The SIAI-Marchetti SM.82's brilliant career began in 1939, when it set two
world records. The first was a closed-circuit distance record over 8,000 miles (12,874 km). The second was a speed record over 6,250
miles (10,000 km), with an average speed of almost 150 mph (241 km/h). These records gave ample proof of the airplane's worth. This
multi-purpose airplane was designed for long-distance transport. The SM.82 was the first aircraft in the world designed and built as
a military transport aircraft. It was a complete project involving both the Italian Army and Air Force, as well as the national airline.
As well as payload considerations, armament and bomb loads were also designed into the aircraft. It served on all fronts in this role,
but it was also employed as a bomber. More than once it proved invaluable as a bomber because of its bomb capacity and long range. It was one of a family of three-engine transport airplanes built by the SIAI-Marchetti company. Its immediate preedecessor was the SM.75, a civil transsport airplane. The SM.82 was a sturdy low-wing monoplane like its preedecessor. The structure was composite, steel-tube and wood, while the covering was wood and fabric. To increase the aircraft's cargo capacity, the fuselage was built on two levels with a removable metal floor. Thus the aircraft could carry even out-sized cargo. For example, it might carry an unnassembled CR.42 fighter airplane with spare parts, or large quantities of weapons and supplies. On occasion it carried up to 28 fully-equipped paratroops. The aircraft was powered by three 860 hp Alfa Romeo A.R.128 RC 18 radial engines driving three blade metal propellers. When Italy entered the war, there were barely a dozen SM.82s in service, but production was immediately increased. A total of 875 airplanes came off the assembly line. Almost half of the airplanes served in the German Luftwaffe, which used them in various theatres of operation for transport. Most of the airplanes were used as transports, paratroop carriers, and general staff transport in Italy. After the 1943 armistice, some airplanes went south to the Allies and others went north to Mussolini's 'Salo' Republic. The Luftwaffe SM.82s were used on the Russian front and in northern Germany. Approximately fifty airplanes managed to survive the war, and they continued in service for several years. However, during this later period the engines were changed. The Alfa Romeos were replaced by 1,215 hp Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp radials. These airplanes were used right up until 1960. References: [1] Angelucci E. and Matricardi P., "World Aircraft 1918-1935", Sampson Low Guides, 1977. [2] Catalanotto, B., "Ali d'Italia 14, SIAI SM.82", La Bancarella Aeronautica, Torino 2000
Ali d'Italia 14, SM.82
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This is the Italeri SM.82 Marsupiale 1/72 - IT1270.
Italeri SM.82 MARSUPIALE 1/72 - IT1270
The kit is the version used by both Italy and Germany. This version did not have flush doors; therefore, I had to make doors that would be flush with the fuselage. The kit goes together with no problems. The primer used was Mister MR. Finishing 1500 gray. Colors used were MRP Giallo chomo 309, Verde mimetico 327 Bruno mimetico 322. In hindsight, I am sorry I did not use Rosso Mimetico 321. Editor's Note: Please note there are no records of the S.82 on charge with 278a Sq BT.
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Aircraft: SIAI-Marchetti SM.82 Manufacturer: SIAI-Marchetti Type: Transport/Bomber Year: 1940 Engine: Three Alfa Romeo A.R.128 RC 18, 14-cylinder radial, air-cooled, 860 hp each Wingspan: 97 ft 5 in (29.68 m) Length: 75 ft 4 in (22.95 m) Height: 19 ft 8 in (6.00 m) Weight: 39,340 lb (17,820 kg) (Loaded) Maximum speed: 230 mph (370 km/h) Ceiling: 19,690 ft (6,000 m) Range: 1,865 miles (3,000 km) Armament: 4 machine guns; 8,800 lb (4,000 kg) of bombs Crew: 4-5 |
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