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Balaton Modell 1/72 SIAI-Marchetti S.75GA Civil Transport by Vince Fiore |
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Between July 30 and August 1, 1939 a SIAI Marchetti S.M.75, appropriately modified, set the world distance record on a closed circuit: 8,038 miles (12,935 km) in 57 hours and 35 minutes flying time, covered on the circuit Fiumicino - Capo, Palinuro - Livorno (Leghorn). Compared with the series models, this aircraft had Alfa Romeo 128 RC 21 1,000 hp engines and fuel tanks capable of giving it this exceptional range. Six months earlier (January 10, 1939) the same S.M.75, registered I-TALO, had set the world speed record over 1,250 miles (2,000 km) with a load of 22,000 pounds, (10,000 kg) at the average speed of 205.6 mph (330.972 km/h). The development of the special S.M.75 PD (Primato Distanza - Distance Record) had been requested by the General Staff of the Regia Aeronautica, in view of the excellent characteristics of the civil version in production from 1937 onwards; they were keen to have a version for military use. SIAI Marchetti launched the S.M.75 project with the aim of making a successor to the S.M.73 which had a fixed undercarriage. This was the forebear of the long series of three-engined models designed by Alessandro Marchetti. They had branded a whole era in Italian aviation and, from 1935 onwards, gave excellent service on mid-European routes. Compared with its predecessor, the new model retained the general features but was larger, decidedly more modern with its up-to-date retractable undercarriage, and capable of better performances. The prototype made its maiden flight on November 6, 1937 and at the end of the trials was delivered to Ala Littoria on February 15 of the following year. At the rate of almost one a month the other five aircraft followed in its wake, making up the initial order placed. Subsequently, between July and December, the production of this new three-engined aircraft was suddenly speeded up, with the delivery of six more S.M.75 machines to Ala Littoria and five examples fitted with Weiss engines (Gnome-Rhone K.14 engines built under licence) instead of the Alfa Romeo A.R.126 RC 34 engines, to the Hungarian company Malert. These aeroplanes were followed by a further 18 aircraft for the Italian company, delivered from the end of December 1938 onwards. This aircraft considerably bolstered the European and African services handled by Ala Littoria: its capacity was 24 passengers on flights of 950 miles (1,500 km), and 18 on longer flights of up to 2,100 miles (3,400 km). Early in 1939 the S.M.75 went into operation on some of the remotest African routes, including the Rome-Benghazi-Addis Ababa route. Until the outbreak of war Ala Littoria continued to increase its S.M.75 fleet, this aircraft having now become its basic type: by June 1940 it had taken delivery of 34 aircraft and was awaiting the delivery of four more, three of which were to replace aeroplanes lost in flying accidents. When Italy entered the war all the aircraft in service were militarized and added to the Nucleo Communicazioni (Communications Unit). The long war years saw the S.M.75 operating busily as transport aircraft on all fronts and occasionally even as bombers. Some aircraft survived the war and remained in service until 1949. The total production reached 90 aircraft. Just four examples of the seaplane version of the S.M.75 were completed, on the other hand, and this was called the S.M.87. It was announced by Ala Littoria in mid-1938 and was designed to replace the Macchi M.C.94 flying-boats in service in South America with the Brazilian Corporacion Sud-American de Transportes Aereos, a company which was affiliated to Ala Littoria. An initial production lot of five examples of the S.M.87 had been planned, but this original figure was never reached because of the outbreak of war, which brought an abrupt halt to the collaboration between the Brazilian airline and Ala Littoria. The four seaplanes completed (it was decided to abandon work on the fifth) were all fitted with Fiat A.80 RC 41 engines, instead of the originally envisaged Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engines, and delivered to the Regia Aeronautica. When war was declared the S.M.87s were converted to military use and allocated to the Communications Unit of Ala Littoria.
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This is a 1/72 resin kit produced by Balaton Modell and the subject being S.75GA I-BAYR, the GA variant. The SM.75GA (for Grande Autonomia, meaning "Long Range") was a modification of the SM.75 powered by three 860 hp Alfa Romeo 128 engines and fitted with a powerful radio and auxiliary fuel tanks to boost the aircraft's range to 7,000 km (4,300 mi) with a 1,100 kg (2,400 lb) load. With a four or five-man crew and a 200 kg (440 lb) load, the SM.75 GA had a range of 8,005 km (4,974 mi) at 298 km/h (185 mph) while flying at altitudes between 3,500 and 5,000 m (11,500 and 16,400 ft). This large kit came in a small box with dimensions of 8”x6”x4”. The wings are solid and come in four parts. I very carefully drilled holes in the connecting sections and using epoxy inserted brass pins. When dried I again used epoxy to join the wing parts together. The next step was to glue to fasten a piece of plastic card over the cabin window openings, from the insides. When dried I filled the openings with Mr. Hobby filler. I then proceeded to sand the fill the openings. On examining there were slight voids between resign and filler. I then proceeded to fill the voids with Mr. Hobby's liquid filler. This had to be repeated several times until all voids were filled. I compleated the build, then applied a coat of primer. Several imperfections were revealed. More filler, more sanding and another coat of primer. Painted, however as hard as I tried I could not acquire the proper decals necessary. Registration is not correct, but living in a country of forty-five million people but not one hobby shoppe and the mail being terrible, please forgive the shortcoming. Paints used MRP lacquer, except the green used for tricolour of the tail, that being MR. Hobby bright green. |
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Aircraft: SIAI Marchetti S.M. 75 Manufacturer: SIAI Marchetti Type: Civil Transport Year: 1937 Engine: Three Alfa Romeo A.R.126 RC 34, radial with 9 cylinders, 750 hp each Wingspan: 97 ft 5 in (29.68 m) Length: 70 ft 10 in (21.60 m) Height: 16 ft 9 in (5.1 0 m) Weight: 31,967 lb (14,500 kg) (Loaded) Cruising Speed: 202 mph (325 km/h) Ceiling: 23,000 ft (7,000 m) Range: 1,420 miles (2,280 km) Crew: 4 Passengers: 18-24
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