The Savoia-Marchetti S.M.81 Pipistrello (bat) was a
development of the Savoia-Marchetti S.M.73 18-pagsenger airliner which had
first flown in prototype form on 4 June 1934. Like the airliner from which it
was derived, the S.M.81 was a three-engine cantilever low-wing monoplane with
fixed tailwheel landing gear. First flown in early 1935, it was available in some
numbers by the time that Italy invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia) on 3 October 1935.
Here in addition to its dedicated bomber role, it was used also for
reconnaissance and transport. The next operational use of the type came during
the Spanish Civil War, with S.M.81s being among the first aircraft provided in
support of General Franco, and others served in Spain a little later as
components of the Aviazione Legionaria.
By the time Italy became involved in World War II about 100
remained in service with the Regia Aeronautica, but although it was already
completely outdated the S.M.81 was to be found wherever Italian forces were
fighting. Because of its low speed and vulnerability to attack, it was used
primarily for second-line duties, but with the protection of darkness many
found important use as night bombers, particularly in North Africa. Some
remained in service at the time of the Italian surrender, continuing in
operation with the Aeronautica Cobelligerante del Sud, and a few survived the
war to serve for five or six years with the post-war Aeronautica Militare
Italiana. A total of approximately 534 S.M.81s had been built and flown with a
variety of powerplants including the 650 hp (485 kW) Gnome-Rhôene 14K or
similarly powered Alfa Romeo 125 RC.35, the 900 hp (671 kW) Alfa Romeo 126
RC.34, and the 700 hp (522 kW) Piaggio P.X RC.35. Under the designation S.M.81B
a single experimental twin-engine prototype had been flown under the power of
two 840 hp (626 kW) Isotta Fraschini Asso XI RC engines, but no production
examples followed.
Savoia-Marchetti S.M.81 - The production version and flown
with a variety of powerplants including the 650 hp (485 kW) Gnome-Rhôene 14K or
similarly powered Alfa Romeo 125 RC.35, the 900 hp (671 kW) Alfa Romeo 126
RC.34, and the 700 hp (522 kW) Piaggio P.X RC.35 radial engines, with the
latter being the most common (534 built).
Savoia-Marchetti S.M.81B - A single experimental aircraft
using only two 840 hp (626 kW) Isotta Fraschini Asso XI RC engines. Performance
was disappointing an no further development or production took place (1 built).
Variants
SM.81
Three-engine
bomber, transport aircraft, 535 built.
SM.81B
Experimental
twin-engine prototype, one built.
Specifications
(Savoia-Marchetti SM.81)
General characteristics
* Crew: 6
* Length: 18.3 m
(58 ft 5 in)
* Wingspan: 24 m
(78 ft 9 in)
* Height: 4.3 m
(14 ft 7 in)
* Wing area: 92.2
m² (1,001 ft²)
* Empty weight:
6,800 kg (AR.125 engines) (13,900 lb)
* Loaded weight:
9,300 kg (19,000 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 10,505 kg (20,500 lb)
* Powerplant: 3×
Piaggio P.X RC.15 (or Alfa Romeo 125 RC.35, 126 RC.34 or Gnome-Rhône 14K)
radial engines, 522 kW (670 hp) each
Performance
* Maximum speed:
320-347 km/h (211 mph)
* Range: 2,000 km
ferry range, 430 km with 2,000 kg and 640 km endurance with the same load, max
practical combat range 1,500 km. (1,240 mi)
* Service ceiling:
7,000 m (23,000 ft)
* Wing loading:
101 kg/m² ()
* Power/mass: 4.9
hp/kg ()===Performance when fitted with Alfa Romeo 125 engines===
* Maximum speed
340 km/h at 4,000 m
* Cruise speed 260
km.
* Minimum speed
110 km/h.
Climb to
* 1,000 m (3,280
ft) in 4 min 15 s
* 3,000 m (9,840
ft) in 11 min 48 s
* 5,000 m (16,400
ft) in 20 min 36 s
Armament
* 6 × 7.7 mm (.303
in) Breda-SAFAT machine guns
* Up to 2,000 kg
(4,409 lb) of bombs
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