STORMO! Forums

Hi all,
I'm start to build the S.55 flown by the italian aviator Francesco de Pinedo (February 16, 1890 – September 2, 1933).
In 1927, with Carlo Del Prete and the engineer Vitale Zacchetti, De Pinedo flew on this Savoia-Marchetti S.55, called "Santa Maria", from Elmas (Sardinia, Italy) to the Cape Verde Islands, to Buenos Aires and finally reached Arizona.


De Pinedo - S.55 Santa Maria in New Orleans

If you are interested to deepen the topic, here an interesting site.

As Usual a quick look inside the box:


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Any tips or info to improve the build are welcome

Great subject and a great plane.

Some questions:
1. As a flying boat, how did it get to Arizona?
2. What happened after that?
3. With the engines canted at such an angle, what were the flight characteristics like?

1-2) The flight to Arizona was part of a "Four Continents" flight in 1927 made by de Pinedo and a small crew using a single S.55 named "Santa Maria". The plane departed from Cagliari, Sardinia and flew to the Spanish Sahara and then onto Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and through the Caribbean and across the Gulf of Mexico to Louisiana, Texas and Arizona where a volunteer accidently burned the plane while refuelling. de Pinedo and his crew were to fly to San Diego and then return to NY and back to Italy.

3) Canted engines were mounted this way in the event of an engine loss, it made the aircraft more controllable. Obviously speed suffered as result. Another advantage of the engines mounted this way is that they provided greater lift given the heavy fuel loads these planes were carrying.

First steps, twin hull assembling ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

I'll paint interior with Light Gray FS 36495 or FS 36307.

Anyone can suggest me further documentation on the S.55 ?
Thanks in advance

The twin floats look amazing.

What kind of information are you looking for the S.55? Have you chatted with Stefano?

Editor wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 08, 2021 7:54 pm

The twin floats look amazing.

What kind of information are you looking for the S.55? Have you chatted with Stefano?

Hi Vince.
I'm looking for all information available about this plane, because I haven't found much documentation
Sorry, but I don't know Stefano

Cockpit and fitting test ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Center wing section, wings and extra large hull assembled ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

First steps on tail section ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Center wing section, wings and extra large hull assembled ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

First steps on tail section ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Main body assembled ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Engine fitting test ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

First layer of Aircraft Gray


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Great work Rodolfo, it looks great so far.

Decal applied and painted the black line over the wings ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

It looks gorgeous Rodolfo.