Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero

The Savoia‑Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero, designed by Alessandro Marchetti and built by the Savoia‑Marchetti company in the late 1930s, quickly became one of Italy’s most iconic aircraft. First flown in 1935 as a fast three‑engine monoplane bomber, the SM.79 entered service with the Regia Aeronautica in 1937 and saw extensive action during World War II. Its distinctive “hump‑backed” silhouette, three 750 hp Alfa‑Romeo radial engines, and sleek low‑wing configuration gave it a top speed of about 470 km/h, making it the fastest medium bomber of its class at the time. The airframe combined a wooden‑covered fuselage with metal wing spars, allowing a payload of up to 1,200 kg of bombs and later adaptations for torpedo attacks, reconnaissance, and transport roles. Over 2,000 units were produced, and the SM.79 earned a reputation for reliability and crew survivability, often returning to base despite heavy damage. Its success demonstrated the effectiveness of multi‑engine medium bombers and influenced post‑war designs, cementing the SM.79’s place as a symbol of Italian aeronautical engineering and wartime prowess. After the conflict, many SM.79s were converted for civilian use as airliners and cargo haulers, and several examples survive in museums, testifying to the type’s durability and enduring fascination among historians and enthusiasts.

Alessandro Marchetti

Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero

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Design & Classification