Savoia-Marchetti SM.88
| Savoia-Marchetti SM.88 | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Heavy hunter |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
1939 |
| Number of pieces: |
1 |
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.88 was a twin-engine heavy fighter aircraft made by the Italian manufacturer Savoia-Marchetti , of which only a prototype was built. The machine was powered by Daimler-Benz DB 601 V-12 engines . Italy hoped to find its own replacement for the Bf 110 with the SM.88 . Ultimately, however, the SM.88 was abandoned because it offered no advantages over the better-armed Bf 110.
history
Intended for export, the SM.88 was a medium-weight, land-based, multipurpose fighter system designed as an expanded fighter aircraft debut. Although Savoia had already developed similar aircraft with twin engines, this project was breaking new ground, but the new concept was still seen as a way forward for the Italian aviation industry. The crew consisted of 3 men, a pilot, a copilot and a rear gunner. The SM.88 could be used as a heavy fighter and as a light bomber. When the SM.88 was used as a bomber, the pilot took on the role of the bombardier and the copilot steered the aircraft. In 1942, the Regia Aeronautica changed the concept of the SM.88 into a long-range reconnaissance aircraft with a range of more than 2000 km.
construction
The SM.88 had a Daimler-Benz DB 601 V-1 engine on each wing and a nacelle between the wings (like the US Lockheed P-38J Lightning ). The double tail unit was attached to the engines via an extension. The tanks were in the wings and held 1250 liters of fuel. The SM.88 each had a 12.7 mm machine gun in the wings and the rear gunner also had a 12.7 mm machine gun in a high-fire position. If the machine carried bombs, they were mounted under the wings. With the reconnaissance version, additional tanks under the wings should increase the range up to 2000 km.
Users
-
Italy (prototype)
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 1 |
| length | 12.1 m |
| span | 14.5 m |
| height | 3.50 m |
| Wing area | 32.5 m² |
| Empty mass | 5000 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 7000 kg |
| drive | 2 × Daimler-Benz DB 601 V-12 |
| Cruising speed | 540 km / h |
| Top speed | 560 km / h |
| Service ceiling | 8700 m |
| Range | 750 to 2000 km |
| Armament | 3 × 12.7 mm MG (0.5 in) Breda SAFAT up to 600 kg bomb load |
See also
literature
- Daniele Lembo: I bifusoliera della Regia , Storia militare magazine, Westward editions, n.11 April – May 2000 (Italian)
Web links
- Documentation of the SM.88 (English)
- Photo of a model of the SM.88 (front)
- Photo of a model of the SM.88 (back side)
