Italy's SIAI Marchetti S.M.84 bomber

Photos

Design

The Savoia Marchetti S.M.84 was designed by Alesandro Marchetti to be a replacement for the S.M.79.¹ The S.M.84 kept the wing design but improved the fuselage and added more powerful engines.¹

The S.M.84 had a wooden and steel tube frame with fabric, plywood, and aluminum making up the skin.¹

Landing Gear

The landing gear was retracted into the engine housing.¹

Armament

The bombs were carried in the fuselage and under the wings.¹ Only 2,000 lbs of bombs could be carried internally.¹ Two torpedoes could be carried externally.¹

Prototype

The S.M.84 prototype first flew on June 5, 1940.¹ While still ironing out the bugs, 246 were ordered.¹

Production

• Total: 309¹
• Manufacturer: SIAI Marchetti¹

Variants

• Savoia-Marchetti S.M.84:
• Savoia-Marchetti S.M.84 bis: Cockpit and wings modified.¹ The torpedo launching controls were updated.¹ Engine ventilation was improved.¹

Usage

The S.M.84 proved to be less maneuverable and didn't succeed in replacing the S.M.79.¹ Attempts were made to make it a torpedo plane but that failed.¹

First Use

In February 1941 the first bomber group received the S.M.84 for operations.¹

After the Surrender

Some S.M.84s were captured by the Germans but did few operations.¹

Ten S.M.84s were used by the Allies in a transportation group.¹

After World War II

Some S.M.84s were used as transports until 1948.¹

Specifications

	SIAI Marchetti S.M.841
Type	Bomber1
Crew	51
Engine (Type)	3: Piaggio P.XI RC 401
Cylinders	Radial 141
HP	1,000 each1
Cooling	Air1
Propeller blades	3 metal variable pitch1
Dimensions
Span	69' 4"1
Length	58' 10"1
Height	15' 1"1
Wing area
Weight
Empty
Loaded	29,330 lb1
Maximum load
Performance
Speed @ 15,000'	268 mph1
Cruising speed
Climb
Service ceiling	25,900'1
Range	1,137 miles1
Armament
Top turret	1: 12.7 mm MG1
Sides	2: 12.7 mm MG1
Underside	1: 12.7 mm MG1
Bombs	4,400 lb1
Torpedo	21