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LF Models 1/72 Savoia Marchetti SM.86G Dive Bomber by Richard Mendes |
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The metal constructed twin-engine Savoia-Marchetti SM.86 was a parallel but totally new
development of the mixed wood and metal constructed 453hp Piaggio Stella P.VII C.35 radial
engine-powered SM.85 ground attack dive bomber, the former designed to accommodate several
inline engine types. The SM.86W prototype MM.397 first flew on April 8, 1939 with
Czechoslovakian Walter Sagitta 12-cylinder liquid cooled inverted V engines (research sources
differ whether 550hp I-MRs, 535hp I-SRs or fully supercharged 520hp II-R.C.s) at the hands of
Savoia-Marchetti test pilot Elio Scarpini, exhibiting good flight characteristics there were
some design deficiencies which were soon rectified, flight testing subsequently continuing at
Guidonia Montecelio, Italy for combat operations suitability. Whilst the SM.86W prototype was being evaluated at Guidonia the RAI placed an order for 97 aircraft, such was the need for dive bombing aircraft, in the meantime 96° Gruppo Tuffatori operating SM.85s was relocated to Pantelleria Island in June 1940 to dive bomb Malta and the British Mediterranean. Even before 96° Gruppo’s move to Pantelleria with its SM.85s the RAI in April 1940 cancelled its order for the 97 SM.86Ws in favor of the German-built Junkers Ju 87Bs though SM.86 development would continue. Whilst MM.397 was undergoing evaluation at Guidonia, Savoia-Marchetti pressed the RAI for production orders the latter subsequently allowing MM.397 to fly operationally over Malta and Greece again at the hands of Elio Scarpini who flew at least one combat mission from Comiso, Italy over Al Far Airfield, Malta on September 15, 1940 and another from Lecce, Italy against Greek troops on November 4th. In spite of no further official RAI interest in the SM.86 following the loss of MM.397, Savoia-Marchetti continued with SM.86 development at its own expense building a second prototype MM.398 powered by 515hp Isotta Fraschini Gamma R.C.35 12-cylinder air cooled inverted V engines known as the SM.86G flying for the first time in August 1941 but to no avail as all further development ending soon thereafter. |
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The 2009-vintage LF Models Savoia-Marchetti SM.86W and LF Models SM.86/SM.86G resin kits are the only 1/72 model kits of these Italian twins. One of each was constructed in 2013: • SM.86W in CMPR Colori e Schemi Mimetici Della Regia Aeronautica II Edizione 1997 Schema C1 Small Mottle Network Giallo Mimetico 3, Verde Mimetico 3, Marrone Mimetico 1 and Grigio Mimetico with Humbrol and Testors Model Master flat enamel paints model kit decals were used as well.Various other Humbrol and Testors and Model Master enamels were used in painting the models including propeller blade fronts in Model Master RLM 65 “blue” per RAI directive. All spray work was accomplished with Testors Aztek A320 Single and A470 Double Action airbrushes, 9304CX 0.30, 9305CX 0.40, 9306CX 0.50 mm spray nozzles. Large-area spraying was accomplished with 0.50 and 0.40 mm nozzles, mottle spraying alternatively with 0.40 and 0.30 mm. Considerable effort was involved in spray painting much of it clearing off nozzle tip paint cakes and cartridge clogs each paint having distinctive behaviors requiring different solutions to achieve smooth flow with as few "spits" possible – ever persistent issues associated with RAI mottle camouflage painting! Both aircraft were over-sprayed with Testors Model Master Semi-Gloss Clear Lacquer Finish thinned 50% with Klean Strip Lacquer Thinner (WAY cheaper than Model Master thinner and just as good), prefer semi-gloss finish over flat, detail “pops out” better plus aesthetically more pleasing in appearance. |
Aircraft: SIAI-Marchetti SM.86 Manufacturer: SIAI-Marchetti Type: Dive-Bomber Year: 1940 Engine: Two Walter Sagitta IC-SR, 12-cylinder, liquid cooled inverted V engines, 600 hp each Wingspan: 48 ft 10 5/8 in (14.90 m) Length: 35 ft 9 1/8 in (10.90 m) Height: 10 ft 9 29/32 in (3.30 m) Weight: 11,193 lb (5,077 kg) (Loaded) Maximum Speed: 256 mph (412 km/h) at 13,123 ft (4,000 m) Ceiling: 22,966 ft (7,000 m) Range: 559 miles (900 km) Armament: 2 x Breda 12.7mm machine guns; 1,767 lb (800 kg) of bombs Crew: 1
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