S.M.79 serie 1

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This page is about the Italian bomber S.M.79 serie 1. For other versions, see S.M.79 (Family).
S.M.79 serie 1
sm_79_1936_italy.png
GarageImage S.M.79 serie 1.jpg
ArtImage S.M.79 serie 1.png
S.M.79 serie 1
Research:5 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:6 300 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

The S.M.79 Sparviero serie 1 (1936) is a rank I Italian bomber with a battle rating of 2.0 (AB/SB) and 1.7 (RB). It was introduced in Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica", though a variant existed in the Germany aircraft tech tree prior to the update.

Due to its relatively low Battle Rating, the three-engined S.M.79 serie 1 enjoys a relatively high speed for a bomber against most of the lower tiered opposition it faces. This aids its survivability, particularly in a shallow dive. Unfortunately, it is rather lacking in bombload options compared to the He 111s and Ju 88s and also has rather poor defensive fire arcs.

Unlike the German bombers, however, it is armed with 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns which can pack quite a punch against the flimsier aircraft it faces. The pilot also controls a fixed forward-firing 12.7 mm Breda, which is otherwise uncovered by any defensive armament. This gun can be useful for strafing light vehicles and trucks that will be encountered frequently in low tier battles and can be used to shoot down other aircraft. It is somewhat more manoeuvrable than the He 111 H-3, but the Sparviero is by no means a fighter and will rapidly lose energy in turns. With the ability to carry 500 kg bombs, the S.M.79 can use these to more easily take out pillboxes and heavier tanks, although this reduces the total bombload to only 1,000 kg as opposed to 1,250 kg with 250 kg bombs.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 4 000 m430 km/h
Turn time31 s
Max altitude6 800 m
Engine3 х Alfa Romeo 126 RC 34
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight11 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 4,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 416 404 6800 32.6 33.6 4.5 4.4 450
Upgraded 444 430 30.4 31.6 7.8 5.9

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
530 300 313 298 220 ~4 ~2
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 260 < 270 < 270 > 290
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
3,400 m 740 hp N/A

Survivability and armour

Crew5 people
Speed of destruction
Structural530 km/h
Gear300 km/h
  • No armour
  • Self-sealing fuel tanks (1 under dorsal gunner, 1 in each wingroot, 1 in each outer part of the wing, 1 in the rear of each engine nacelle)

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB340 → 460 Sl icon.png
RB460 → 623 Sl icon.png
SB736 → 997 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications5 950 Rp icon.png
4 540 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost410 Ge icon.png
Crew training1 800 Sl icon.png
Experts6 300 Sl icon.png
Aces80 Ge icon.png
Research Aces135 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
30 / 60 / 110 % Sl icon.png
106 / 106 / 106 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
safat12_belt_pack
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
GP100
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
230 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods weapon.png
safat12_new_gun
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
bmg303_turret_belt_pack
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods ammo.png
safat12_turret_belt_pack
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
GP250
Research:
370 Rp icon.png
Cost:
280 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
safat12_turret_new_gun
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods turret gun.png
lewis_turret_new_gun
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
GP500
Research:
390 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Ammunition350 rounds
Fire rate700 shots/min
Main article: Breda-SAFAT (12.7 mm)

The S.M.79 serie 1 is armed with:

  • 1 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, dorsal-mounted (350 rpg)

Suspended armament

List of setups (4)
Setup 112 x 50 kg GP 50 bomb
Setup 212 x 100 kg GP 100T bomb
Setup 35 x 250 kg GP 250 bomb
Setup 42 x 500 kg GP 500 bomb

The S.M.79 serie 1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • 12 x 50 kg GP 50 bombs (600 kg total)
  • 12 x 100 kg GP 100 bombs (1,200 kg total)
  • 5 x 250 kg GP 250 bombs (1,250 kg total)
  • 2 x 500 kg GP 500 bombs (1,000 kg total)

Defensive armament

2 х Turret12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun
Ammunition500 rounds
Fire rate701 shots/min
2 х Turret7.7 mm Lewis machine gun
Ammunition485 rounds
Fire rate551 shots/min

The S.M.79 serie 1 is defended by:

  • 1 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, dorsal turret (500 rpg)
  • 1 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, ventral turret (500 rpg)
  • 1 x 7.7 mm Lewis machine gun, 2 x beam turrets (485 rpg)

Usage in battles

S.M.79 serie 1 is a decent bomber at its BR and below, but it faces many threats, for example Spitfires, LaGG-3s, MiG-3s and P-40s.

If the S.M.79 manage to get past the threats, it has the payload to take out enemy bomb points and ground targets, with its bomber spawn it can descend to get extra speed to quickly get to the bombing point, those this will also expose it to enemy fighters and attackers that have the firepower to destroy the S.M.79 with ease in both Realistic and Arcade battles.

A big drawback with the S.M.79 is that it's big and not fast or agile compared to certain bombers at same BR but if it is able to pass through enemy line it can cause a lot of damage to the points. It has 2 x 12.7 mm Breda MGs aiming backwards in a limited field of view making a lot of the plane uncovered by the MGs, as well as 2 x 7.7 mm Breda MGs on the sides, also with limited views, leaving a lot of the plane unprotected.

S.M.79 also has an offensive 12.7 mm which can do damage to enemy fighters or bombers, if one has a well trained aim, it can be a dangerous weapon to the S.M.79's advantage. The problem with the 12.7 mm is its slow rate of fire compared to other 12.7 mm and a low count of 350 rounds in the gun.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled
Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Not controllable
Not auto controlled
Separate Not controllable
1 gear
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Hard-hitting 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT defensive machine guns.
  • Pilot-controlled fixed forward-firing 12.7 mm Breda, which can be equipped with IAI (explosive) ammunition.
  • Good speed.
  • Middle engine provides some level of protection for the pilot against head-on attacks.
  • Capable of carrying 500 kg bombs, unlike the He 111 H-3 or Do 17 Z-2.

Cons:

  • Very limited bomb payload compared to the He 111 H-3 which has 1,250 kg max.
  • Poor defensive fire arcs, including a dead-zone in the rear where neither of the rearward facing 12.7 mm machine guns can cover.
  • No frontal defensive gun covering the frontal aspect.
  • Lacks armour protection for the crew.
  • Forced to choose between less total bomb payload, but individually more powerful bombs or higher total bomb payload with less powerful bombs.

History

Alessandro Marchettí was famous for creating record breaking and Schneider Trophy winning racing seaplanes, and was the Savoia (aka SIAI, Società Idrovolanti Alta Italia). In 1922 Marchettí joined Savoia to form one of the great aircraft companies in history, until merged in 1983. After the conclusion of the Schneider Trophy race (won by UK), the firm used its experience to build fast aircraft for civilian and military use.

You probably saw the very similar looking Italian S.81 in game, which was a militarized version of the successful S.73. The S.M.79 was new passenger version based on the planform of its predecessor; the most obvious difference was retractable landing gear. It was truly made first as a passenger version to compete with those being made by other countries. Needless to say, it immediately attracted attention of the Regina Italia and a bomber version was developed in parallel. For a few brief months it was considered the best transport and bomber in world and became a major point of pride in Fascist Italy and was sold to several countries in the years before WW2.

Unlike nearly every bomber in War Thunder (and even in WW2), it was built mainly of steel a wood! The fuselage was a common for time welded steel tube design, with entire rear half being covered in cloth and plywood. The crew area to nose was duralumin cladded (which is very similar to Hawker Hurricane’s construction). Most surprising the wings are completely wood! A major technical achievement for its size. During its production life several engines where tried, depending on power and reliability, one model even removing the nose engine. 

To make the S.M.79 fast the wings are shorter than typical for its weight. To compensate for higher clean stall speed a number of advanced high lift devices were used to reduce stall speed for landing, being Handley-Page leading extending slats and drooping ailerons (also called “flaperons”) in conjunction with uncommon slotted flaps. After trying a few engines, the Alfa Romeo 126 was used on the prototypes for testing and the record breaking flights soon after. As with the S.M.73 / S.81, once again the Italian military wanted a bomber version and laid out proposed additions.

Sparviero goes to war

The spacious cabin was easy to install a set of bomb racks, all bombs mounted vertically (not unusual for time). While the S.81 had the bomb aimers position just behind the nose-mounted engine, the S.M.79 positioned it in a ventral “tub” well after of the bomb bay itself. Also unlike the S.81 this streamlined tub also became the location of the ventral defensive gun, usually a 12.7 mm Breda-SAFT MG instead of a turret. A streamlined dorsal mount was also installed for a rear firing 12.7 mm MG, and unusually for bombers a fixed, pilot fired forward mounted 12.7 mm MG, firing above the propeller disk. Both these streamlined protrusions could be closed to greatly minimize drag for a very high cruise speed, which the turreted S.81 could not. It was the prominent hump on its top that earned the nickname "il gobbo maledetto" ("damned hunchback"). Italy was open to export sales, and many countries purchased this top of line bomber to add to their forces.

From the high of the Spanish Civil War to the end of WW2, the Sparviero was the backbone of Italian bomber air forces and continued to do well over the vast stretches of the Mediterranean sea despite better allied defenses. Success was made despite high losses up to the Italian Armistice. They continued to be used in lesser roles on both sides of the conflict, and after the war were used for various duties by several nations for years later. Lebanon was the last operator who used them well in the 1950’s and are the last 2 remaining S.M.79 in world.

Media

Skins

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Savoia-Marchetti
Bombers  S.M.79 serie 1 · S.M.79 serie 8 · S.M.79 AS · S.M.79 bis/T.M
  S.81
Attackers  SM.91 · SM.92
Export  S.M.79 B
Captured  ▀S.M.79 serie 1 · ▀S.M.79 serie 4 · ▀S.M.79 serie 8
  ▀S.M.79 AS · ▀S.M.79 bis/N · ▀S.M.79 bis/T.M · ▀S.M.79 B

Italy bombers
Fiat  B.R.20DR · B.R.20M M1
Savoia-Marchetti  S.81 · S.M.79 serie 1 · S.M.79 B · S.M.79 serie 8 · S.M.79 AS · S.M.79 bis/T.M
CANT  Z.1007 bis serie 3 · Z.1007 bis serie 5
Piaggio  P.108B serie 1 · P.108B serie 2
  Foreign:
Germany  ▄Ju 87 R-2 · ▄Ju 87 D-3
Hungary  ◔Tu-2S-59