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Italy's Savoia-Marchetti S.M.82 medium bomber
Nick name: Canguru (kangaroo)

Photos

Savoia-Marchetti S.M.82 Canguru medium bomber:
Italy's Savoia-Marchetti S.M.82 Canguru medium bomber		 Savoia-Marchetti S.M.82 Canguru medium bomber:
Italy's Savoia-Marchetti S.M.82 Canguru medium bomber
Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook 		Savoia-Marchetti S.M.82 Canguru medium bomber:
Italy's Savoia-Marchetti S.M.82 Canguru medium bomber
Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook 		 
Savoia-Marchetti S.M.82 Canguru medium bomber:
Italy's Savoia-Marchetti S.M.82 Canguru medium bomber		      

Design

The Savoia-Marchetti S.M.82 was designed in 1938.1 It was initially designed to be a long range transport.2

Cargo

The cargo area was was very roomy.1 The S.M.82's cargo area was separated by a removable metal floor.2 It could hold a dismantled C.R.42 biplane fighter.1,2 The S.M.82 could carry 18 44 gallon / 200 liter fuel drums.1 The S.M.82 could also carry up to 28 fully equipped paratroopers.2

Wing

The S.M.82's wing was made from wood.1

Fuselage

The fuselage of the S.M.82 was made of steel tubing and wood with the covering of wood and fabric.1,2

Prototype

The S.M.82 prototype was first flown in 1939.1

Production

  • Total: ~4001, 8752
  • Manufacturer: SIAI Marchetti2
  • Production: 1941 - 19431

Variants

Usage

The S.M.82 was used by Germany and Italy.1

The S.M.82 was designed to be a bomber, but it was primarily used as a transport.1 On one occasion it crammed in 96 people.1

World Records

In 1939 the S.M.82 broke the record for flying 8,000 miles and the other by flying an average 150 mph for 6,250 miles.2

The S.M. 82 flew 8,037 miles in 56 hours 30 minutes with an average speed of 143 mph.3

Beginning of World War II

There were twelve S.M.82s in operation at the start of World War II.2

Luftwaffe

The Luftwaffe used about 50 S.M.82s in the Baltic region on the Eastern Front.1

Post World War II

Around 50 of the S.M.82s survived World War II.2 The Aeronautica Militare Italiana used the S.M.82 into the 1950s / 1960s2.1,2 These had their engines replaced with Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp radials (1,215 HP).2

Specifications

  Savoia-Marchetti S.M.82 Canguru
Type Heavy bomber1, Heavy transport1, Transport bomber2
Crew 4 - 52
Passengers 40 troops1
Engine (Type) 3: Alfa Romeo 128 RC 182, 3: Alfa Romeo 128 RC 211,3
Cylinders RC 18: Radial 142
RC 21: Radial 91
HP RC 18: 860 each2
RC 21: 950 each1,3
Cooling Air2
Propeller blades 3 each1, 3 metal each2
Dimensions  
Span 97' 4.5"1, 97' 5"2, 97' 6"3
29.68 m1
Length 73' 6"3, 75' 1.5"1 , 75' 2"2
22.9 m1
Height 18'3, 19' 8"2, 19' 8.25"1
6 m1
Wing area  
Weight  
Empty 23,260 lb1
10,550 kg1
Loaded 38,000 lb3, 39,340 lb2, 39,727 lb1
18,020 kg1
Maximum load 44,092 lb1
20,000 kg1
Performance  
Speed 230 mph1,2,3
370 kph1
Cruising speed 137 - 186 mph1
220 - 300 kph1
Climb to 9,840' /
3,000 m 		18 minutes1
Service ceiling 19,685'1, 19,690'2
6,000 m1
Range 1,864 miles1, 1,865 miles2, 2,480 miles3
3,000 km1
Armament 4: MG2
Dorsal turret 1: MG3
1: 12.7 mm MG1
Nose 1: 7.7 mm MG1
Ventral 1: 7.7 mm MG1
Beam positions 2: 7.7 mm MG1
Bombs 8,800 lb2, 8,818 lb1
4,000 kg1
OR  
Cargo 8,818 lb1
4,000 kg1

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
  2. World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
  3. Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook, Ensign L. C. Guthman, 1943