| SM.83 | |
|---|---|
 I-ANDE markingsAla Littoria's SM.83 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Airliner and transport aircraft |
| National origin | Italy |
| Manufacturer | Savoia-Marchetti |
| Designer | |
| Primary users | LATI |
| Number built | 23 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1938 |
| First flight | 19 Nov 1937 |
| Retired | 1945 |
| Developed from | Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 |
TheSavoia-Marchetti SM.83 was an Italian civilairliner of the 1930s. It was a civilian version of theSavoia-Marchetti SM.79 bomber.
It was a monoplane, with retractable undercarriage, and a slim fuselage. Though the cabin was provided with heaters, oxygen provision and sound insulation it was large enough for the 4 crew and only four to 10 passengers. The construction was of mixed materials in the typical Savoia-Marchetti style of the time: steel tubes for thefuselage, wood for the wings, and the outer skin made up of wood, fabric or metal. Thewings had slats. The powerplant was three AR.126 engines giving a total of about 2,300hp.
The maximum range stated was 4,800 km (3,000 mi). The maximum speed was slightly better than the bomber 444 km/h (276 mph) at 4,000 m (13,000 ft) due to the absence of the gondola and hump machine gun positions.
First flying on 19 November 1937,[1] it entered into production forLATI,SABENA and other companies, but it had less success compared to the more economic and capable 18 seaterSavoia-Marchetti S.73 even if had much improved performance. As a result, only 23 were built in two main series.
When war broke out, the Italian aircraft were impressed into theRegia Aeronautica, and used in transport units.
One S.83 was used near the end of the war to flee Italy.Spain had forbidden aircraft both military and civilian of the Axis powers from landing there so S.83 was painted withCroatian insignia and purportedly owned by a Croatian citizen. Carrying 5,000 litres of fuel (50% more than standard) and 14 men and women including the parents ofClaretta Petacci,Benito Mussolini’s mistress), the aircraft took off at 4:30 on 23 April 1945 fromMilan. It landed atBarcelona just three hours later.[2] It was not until September that the crew and aircraft were repatriated.
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1938[4] Italian Civil and Military aircraft 1930–1945[1][5][6]
General characteristics
Performance
Related lists
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