Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Savoia Marchetti SM 82

One of the rarest surviving aircraft is the sole remaining Savoia Marchetti SM 82 in the Italian Air Force Museum at Vigna di Valle, near Rome.



727 were built, but it is remarkable that any survived from war service (commencing in 1940 on the Axis side) particularly as the aircraft was of mixed construction, but with an all-wooden wing structure - very viable as a design, but vulnerable to damage in service, weather and ultimately very tempting for burning after even a minor accident.

SM 82 PW MM.61187 is preserved in its silver post war colour scheme and configuration with Pratt & Whitney R1830 engines.

Some history here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savoia-Marchetti_SM.82