The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero (Italian for "Sparrowhawk") was a three-engined Italian medium bomber with a wood-and-metal structure. Originally designed as a fast passenger aircraft, this low-wing monoplane, in the years 1937–9, set 26 world records that qualified it for some time as the fastest medium bomber in the world. It first saw action during the Spanish Civil War and flew on all fronts in which Italy was involved during World War II. It became famous and achieved many successes as a torpedo bomber in the Mediterranean theater. The SM.79 was an outstanding aircraft and was certainly the best-known Italian aeroplane of World War II. It was the most widely produced Italian bomber of World War II, with some 1,300 built, remaining in Italian service until 1952.
Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 in The War That Came Early[]
The SM.79 was the prime bomber of the Italian Air Force. It was employed in combat in both Spain and North Africa. Although the bomber was highly inaccurate at night raiding, which caused recipients of the bomber's wrath little discomfort except a loss of sleep.
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