Savoia-Marchetti SM.92
| Savoia-Marchetti SM.92 | |
|---|---|
| Savoia-Marchetti SM.92 | |
| Type: | heavy hunter |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
November 27, 1942 |
| Number of pieces: |
1 prototype |
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.92 was the aircraft test project "Infrared 92" for a heavy fighter (air destroyer), which was built in 1943 as a prototype. The project was discontinued because the SM.92 was no improvement over fighter aircraft like the Messerschmitt Me 410 . The prototype was destroyed in an air raid by the US Air Force in 1944.
history
Since Italy had to change its own air defense after the US Army landed in Africa, in particular the reinforcement of the air defense against heavy bombers, new bomber defense projects were launched, one of these projects was the Savoia-Marchetti SM.92. The “Infrared 92” project was started under the direction of Alessandro Marchetti to test a new variant for a heavy hunter. The concept was based on the Messerschmitt Bf 109 Z , which was never produced. A similar design was the American P-38 Lightning . The SM.92 should be a middle-decker with retractable landing gear. In order to be able to integrate a powerful drive into the aircraft that could keep up with the Allied aircraft, a second fuselage was combined into one aircraft, as was already planned for the Bf 109 Z. So two engines with a total of almost 3000 hp could be integrated.
drive
Since the Daimler-Benz DB 601 A-1 engine had not proven to be sufficiently powerful, two Daimler-Benz DB 605 A-1s were to serve as the drive . The DB 605 A was a water-cooled 12-cylinder V-engine with 1475 hp each. This was manufactured under license in Italy under the name Alfa Romeo RA-RC 58 since 1943.
Armament
The armament of the SM.92 was to consist of three 20 mm MG 151/20 and four 12.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine guns. The three MG 151/20 were supposed to fire through the propeller and the five Breda-SAFAT-MG were supposed to fire from the wings, but this had to be given up due to the heavy use of the wings. A weapon station was created under the wing between the two gondolas, in which all guns were combined. A remote-controlled 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT was installed in a stern nacelle for rear protection. Since all heavy hunters in Italy had a rear gunner, they did not want to do without it.
Test phase
The first test flight took place on November 12, 1943, the test pilot Aldo Moddzi and the mechanic Carlo Balzarini were the crew of the machine. A speed of 600 km / h was reached on the first test flight, and an exceptionally high rate of climb (15 m / s) was achieved. During another test flight on November 17, an engine of the machine was damaged, which was badly damaged in the subsequent emergency landing. The repair lasted until June 1944, after which six more test flights were undertaken under German sovereignty, and German national emblems were attached to the machine. The machine was destroyed in a US air raid on December 27, 1944.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| crew | 2 (pilot and tail gunner) |
| length | 13.70 m |
| span | 18.55 m |
| height | 4.10 m |
| Wing area | 38.52 m² |
| Empty mass | 6250 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 8750 kg |
| drive | two CD Alfa Romeo RA-RC 58. 1050 Tifone ( DB 605A-1 ); 1475 hp |
| Top speed | 625 km / h |
| Cruising speed | 540 km / h |
| Range | 2000 km |
| Max. Rate of climb | 15 m / s |
| Service ceiling | 12,000 m |
| Armament | three 20 mm guns from Mauser MG 151/20 four 12.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine guns in the rear one 12.7 mm Breda SAFAT machine gun |
literature
- C. Shores: Aeronautica Regia.
- Heinz J. Nowarra : Foreign birds under the Balkenkreuz (weapons arsenal). Podzun-Pallas-Verlag, Friedberg