Warpaint Books Ltd.

The Savoia Marchetti S.79 Sparviero, Warpaint #61

by  Richard J. Caruana

Reviewed By  Brian R. Baker, IPMS# 43146

MSRP: 12 GBP I have obtained several of these publications over the past several years, and I have found them to be excellent references on specific aircraft types. This volume is no exception; if you are planning to build one of the several kits available of this famous Italian bomber, this is certainly a valuable resource to have. The Savoia Marchetti S.79, sometimes listed as the SM-79, was of mixed construction, with a steel tube fuselage covered with sheet aluminum and fabric, a steel framed and fabric covered tailplane, and a wooden wing, covered in plywood with a fabric protective coating. It featured three Alfa Romeo 126 RC 34 air cooled radial engines with variable pitch propellers, and a retractable undercarriage. Originally appearing in early 1934 as an 8 passenger airliner intended for the 1934 England-Australia MacRobertson Race, it was finished too late, and could not participate, although it was later used in other races and record attempts. Later, it was developed into a medium bomber to compete with the Fiat BR.20, Breda Ba.82, Cant Z.1011, and Caproni Ca.135. In its definitive form, the S.79 was a five to six place medium bomber, and was produced in considerable numbers. Probably its greatest claim to fame was its use as a torpedo bomber, and its ability to absorb battle damage and return to base was legendary. S.79's began their combat use in the Spanish Civil War, and continued to be used throughout World War II, in the Regia Aeronautica, the Aviazone Nazionale Repubblicana (the group that supported Mussolini and the Nazis after the armistice), and the Regia Aeronautica Co-Belligerante, (the group that supported the Allies). Postwar, surviving aircraft were incorporated into the Aeronautica Militaire Italiana, where they continued to operate into the early sixties. In 1949, four S.79's were reconditioned and sold to the Lebanese Air Force, who used them for a number of years. The two survivors were eventually returned to Italy, and these have been restored and are now on display in museums in Italy. The book is a 38 page soft cover full size publication consisting of a detailed history of the aircraft, many clearly reproduced photographs, no less than 15 pages of color drawings and photos, and four pages of excellent 1/72 scale drawings. Precisely 50 color profiles are included, covering nearly every color scheme ever carried by this aircraft. In addition, detailed photos of one of the surviving S.79's at the museum in Rome are also provided. This is a hard book to find fault with. Everything is excellently done. The only things that could have been added would have been a cutaway drawing of the aircraft and more interior details. The author apparently had access to at least one museum aircraft, but only included one excellent photo of the instrument panel. However, this is far better than the old Profile publication that I've had for many years, and is certainly worth getting if you have any interest in World War II Italian aircraft. Thanks to IPMS and the Warpaint Books Ltd. for the review copy.

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