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Italeri 1/72 Savoia Marchetti SM.82 Civil Transport by Vincent Fiore |
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This aeroplane 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 aeroplane's worth. This multi-purpose aeroplane 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 aeroplanes built by the SIAI-Marchetti company. Its immediate preedecessor was the SM.75, a civil transsport aeroplane. 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 aeroplane 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 aeroplanes came off the assembly line. Almost half of the aeroplanes served in the German Luftwaffe, which used them in various theatres of operation for transport. Most of the aeroplanes were used as transports, paratroop carriers, and general staff transport in Italy. After the 1943 armistice, some aeroplanes 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 aeroplanes 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 aeroplanes were used right up until 1960. Civil Transport Even with the outbreak of war, long-range civilian routes did not end. The civil aircraft had 14 seats 1,306l (345 US gal) of additional fuel and 350kg (770lb) of military equipment removed. These planes 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 civilian evacuations in 1941. |
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This is the Italeri SM.82 Marsupiale 1/72 - IT1270, the Civil Transport variant used by Linee Aeree Transcontinentali Italiane S.A. (LATI), Civil Registration I-BAIA. This was a simple conversion, only having to eliminate the upper (dorsal) gun position. I achieved this by inserting a piece of plastic card enabling me to fill the opening with filler. I then proceeded to sand to the proper contours of the fuselage. I had commissioned Arctic Decals to produce the necessary decals. He did but because of the very bad mail service, I did not receive them for about ten months (I live in Morocco). Therefore the painted subject was put on the shelve for a some time. The paints used were MRP lacquer. The decals were applied using Mr. Hobby's set and softener. A very easy and pleasant build. |
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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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October, 2021 STORMO! © 2021 |