STORMO! Supermodel 1/72 Savoia Marchetti SM.81 by Vincent Fiore

Supermodel 1/72 Savoia Marchetti SM.81
Pipistrello (Bat)
by Vincent Fiore

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This aeroplane was the symbol of fascist air-power during the conquest of Ethiopia and up to the beginning of WWII. It was an outstanding aeroplane and provided sterling service up until its retirement in 1950.

The Savoia-Marchetti S.81 Pipistrello (Bat) was Italy’s first three-engine bomber put into Regia Aeronautica Italia (RAI) service, first flown in 1934 at the time it was fast, had a long range and was well-armed. During WWII the plane was used primarily for transport, training, communications and liaison duties with the RAI, Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana (ANR), Aeronautica Co-Belligerante Italiana and the Aeronautica Militare Italia (AMI).

Construction
The S.81 was robustly constructed of steel tube, wood and fabric components; designed as a bomber its copious fuselage also made it an ideal transport aircraft. Reliable and pleasant to fly six-man crewed S.81 bombers and transports operated in all types of terrain, faster than the contemporary Junkers Ju 52 bomber or transports it also was better armed than the newer S.79s but fixed landing gear drag limited performance.

The two-part fuselage bomb bay could accommodate 2,000 kg (4,410 lbs) of bombs stowed horizontally or vertically, more than in S.79s which were only vertically stored. Two retractable Riva-Calzoni hydraulic dorsal and ventral turrets were fitted initially with 7.7 mm (.303 in) Vickers machine guns then Breda-SAFATs along with two beam-mounted 7.7 mm (.303 in) Lewis guns, a better defensive arrangement than either the S.79 or SM.84 but inadequate against modern fighters. Installed fuselage crew equipment included an RA 350I radio-transmitter, AR5 radio-receiver, optional P63N radio compass and OMI 30 camera well as an electrical generator and fire extinguishing system.

Wing-mounted self-sealing SEMAPE fuel tanks were installed; six in the center (4 × 150 liter/40 US gallon + 2 × 1,140 liter/301 US gal tanks), two 370 liter/100 US gallon) tanks (780 liter/210 US gallon with Gnome-Rhône 14K engines) in outer wings giving an overall fuel capacity of 3,620 or 4,400 liters (960 or 1,160 US gallons). Except for the self-sealing fuel tanks no other aircraft component or crew armor protection was factory installed though field-added protection probably was.

Operational History
The S.81 first saw combat during the Second Italo-Abyssinian War as a bomber, transport and reconnaissance roles; SM.81s served with the Aviazione Legionaria during the Spanish Civil War and were amongst the first aircraft sent by the fascist powers to aid Francisco Franco.

Italy entered WWII with up to 300 S.81s in RAI service although initially used as a bomber the plane was primarily used as a transport - its role as a bomber being replaced by the SM.79, BR.20 and CANT Z.1007. The first RAI aircraft to see action were on June 11, 1940 when two SM.81s, one attacking Port Sudan the other executing a reconnaissance flight over the Red Sea. That night three SM.81s were deployed to bomb Aden. The planes were later used as transports though it still remained as an effective bomber for night operations, particularly in North Africa. The aeroplane was also used for anti-shipping duty. Most S.81s had been withdrawn from service by time of the September 8, 1943 armistice though some remained in Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana and Aeronautica Co-Belligerante Italiana service, several surviving the war and put into service with the post-war Aeronautica Militare Italiana.

Construction

I had intended to build this as Mussolini's personal aircraft, however as I was unable to get photos suitable for Arctic Decals to produce the decals I had to forsake that idea. Therefore I built the kit out of the box. It went together well with just a little filling here and there. I did have some trouble with the top and bottom gun positions. The paints used were all Mr. Paint by MRP. Gentlemen if you want trouble-free airbrush painting buy and use these paints. As for the paint scheme it was very tedious and time-consuming. In reality, I spoiled it when I applied a wash over the entire model. I used Artic's oils mixed with terps. I used a mixture of black and brown. The decals went on very nicely using Mr.Hobby sol and set. If I am ever able to get decent pictures of the Tortuga (turtle emblem), Mussolini's "Air-Force One" I will build this kit and convert it.

Technical Specifications

Aircraft: SIAl-Marchetti SM.81
Manufacturer: SIAl-Marchetti
Type: Bomber
Year: 1935
Engine: Three Alfa Romeo 125 RC 35. 9cylinder radial. air-cooled. 680 hp each
Wingspan: 78 ft 9 in (24.00 m)
Length: 60 ft 1 in (18.31 m)
Height: 14 ft 4 in (4.47 m)
Weight: 23,190 Ib (10,505 kg) (Loaded)
Maximum Speed: 211 mph (340 km/h) at 13,120 ft (4,000 m)
Ceiling: 23,000 ft (7,000 m)
Range: 1,200 miles (1,931 km)
Armament:6 machine guns; 4,415 Ib (2,000 kg) of bombs
Crew: 6

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