Difference between revisions of "SM.92"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Italian attacker {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]].
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was an Italian twin engine fighter/bomber prototype designed and produced in 1943. It was an improvement of the SM.88, a similar aircraft. The aircraft was powered by two German Daimler-Benz 605 engines. Development of the prototype was slow, being finished in 1943 and tested in 1944. The aircraft's performance was below expectations, and the prototype was damaged after an Axis pilot in a C.205 mistook the prototype for an American P-38 Lightning and engaged it. The aircraft was grounded for repairs and destroyed on the ground due to Allied bombing.
  
The {{PAGENAME}} is an Italian twin-engine fighter/bomber prototype designed and produced in 1943. It utilized two imported German Daimler-Benz 605 engines. It was designed to have better performance than its predecessor, the SM.91. The middle gondola was eliminated and the cockpit for the crew of two, the pilot and the gunner, was moved behind the left engine. The gunner remotely operated a fixed 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun located in the aircraft's tail.
+
It was introduced in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]]. The SM.92 is a decent jack of all trades, it has good offensive and suspended armament, a decent climb rate with air spawn and average agility. The aircraft is more ideal for boom and zoom tactics in case of air combat, due to its offensive armament a short well placed burst is enough to destroy most fighters, and the armament is also sufficient to engage bombers at high altitudes. For ground battles the 2 x 500 kg bombs can destroy any target in sight, even heavy tanks, so you can attack ground units and then switch to intercept enemy bombers or ground attackers.
 
 
The {{PAGENAME}} had an armament complement of three 20 mm MG 151 autocannons and four 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns.
 
 
 
In-game this plane can reach over 16 m/s in climb rate and with its air spawn, that is enough to get a sufficient altitude above most fighters once the engagements start.
 
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
|-
 
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 600 || 340 || 260 || ~10 || ~5
+
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 535 || 450 || 260 || ~10 || ~5
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 +
The SM.92 has average manoeuvrability, good armament and good suspended armament, the 4 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT and 3x 20 mm MG151 are very good to destroy the enemy planes by burning them, destroying parts of the enemy planes and knocking out the enemy pilot, the position of armament differs from its predecessor, the [[SM.91]].
 +
 
 +
Most enemy planes can be destroyed with a head-on and Boom and zoom attacks. Your guns you can destroy every aircraft at your BR. In Ground RB the situation is different because there are some tanks that you can't penetrate so you need to use your suspended armament, the best payload is 2x 500 kg bombs but a downside is that you drop all bombs at once. You can use the SM.92 in pretty much any role you want, here under are some tactics that can be used in battles. At start of the battle, always climb at either 10° (stock) or 12,5° (upgraded) with WEP until 2,000 m and then chose the most suitable tactics depending on the scenario:
 +
 
 +
;Ground attack
 +
 
 +
In Air RB, focus on the enemy light casemates, AA and artillery with your guns and destroy enemy light tanks and pillboxes with your bombs.
 +
 
 +
;CAS (Close Air Support)
 +
 
 +
In Ground RB and Naval RB, you can do dive attacks or sea level attacks on ships behind cover
 +
 
 +
For a dive attack, climb to the altitude of 2,000 m, dive to increase your speed and drop the bombs to the enemy ground vehicles, use 1,5 secs of time fuse. In Naval RB, use Assault fuse and drop the bomb to the enemy ships at circa 300-400 m so you can escape from the enemy AA and your explosion blast wave. After you've spent the bombs, you can destroy little ships and armoured boats with your guns.
 +
 
 +
For a hedgehopping attack, approach enemy ground vehicles sideways and drop the bombs, the attack is more accurate as you drop altitude but be careful, enemy AA could kill you more easily. In naval RB, use the 1,5 secs fuse so you can bounce the bomb in water and hit the target precisely. After you dropped the bombs you can use the [[SM.92]] as a interceptor and take down enemy planes, so you can protect your team by achieving an air superiority.
 +
 
 +
;Interceptor
 +
 
 +
After you climbed at 3,000 m, chase enemy bombers: attack them frontally or from. If there are enemy fighters under you, do a boom and zoom attack on them, you can use combat flaps for more manoeuvrability. But your flaps have a rip speed of 535 km/h so don't destroy them or you'll lose speed and manoeuvrability. Some fighters are very manoeuvrable, and if played correctly will evade your BnZ attacks (for example "Zeros" A6M2/A6M5 and Spitfires). In that case, use your attacks as deterrent to prevent them from reaching your altitude.
  
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===
Line 164: Line 179:
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* Lots of guns that can be brought to use
+
* Potent offensive armament with huge ammo count
 +
* Great for Head-on and Boom and zoom attacks
 +
* Can be used as interceptor
 +
* Gets an attacker spawn (AB/RB)
 +
* Good diving manoeuvrability
 +
* Good turn rate
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* Defensive turret is almost fixed (only ±2° in each direction); the target has to be at exact 6 o'clock to be engaged
+
* Poor gun convergence due to gun placements resulting into poor accuracy while turning
* Bad rate of acceleration even when diving
+
* Defensive turret is almost fixed (only ±2° in each direction); the target has to be at exactly 6 o'clock to be engaged
 +
* Poor acceleration even when diving
 +
* Big target for AA and fighters
 +
* The pilot and gunner are in the same place so they can be knocked out easily
 +
* Carrying the largest payload has a noticeable effect on performance
 +
* Wings are littered with fuel tanks
 +
* Tail is prone to snapping when shot at
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''
+
<!-- Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable). -->
 +
[[File:Savoia Marchetti S.M.92.jpg|thumb|450x450px|Front view of the sole Savoia-Marchetti SM.92 prototype.]]
 +
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.92 was an Italian prototype heavy fighter/bomber aircraft developed during the Second World War. Based on the previous SM.88 prototype heavy fighter, the aircraft featured a dual-boom design with two engines and two crew members both in a single cockpit. Like its predecessor, only a single prototype was built; this aircraft was tested but later damaged when an Axis fighter pilot mistook it for the similarly-shaped American P-38 Lightning. After being grounded for repairs, the single aircraft was destroyed by Allied bombing, thus ending the life of this unique Italian heavy fighter.
 +
 
 +
=== Design and development ===
 +
In 1939, the Italian aircraft firm Savoia-Marchetti produced the SM.88 fighter - this was a prototype heavy fighter aircraft with twin booms, two engines and a crew nacelle nestled in between the booms. Despite being quite successful in tests, the project was abandoned due to the introduction of the German Bf 110, a heavy fighter with similar performance. However, in 1942, Savoia-Marchetti began the development of a new heavy twin-boom heavy fighter aircraft, similar to the SM.88 - this would ultimately become the SM.92.
 +
 
 +
The SM.92 was developed at the same time as the earlier [[SM.91]] heavy fighter, enabling the use of common components for both aircraft. The aircraft featured a twin boom design, meaning that there were two separate fuselages on the aircraft, one on each side. For simplicity, the SM.92 utilized the fuselage booms, tailplane and wing structure of the SM.91. However, the aircraft had just a single cockpit mounted asymmetrically on the portside or left fuselage. The two crew members consisted of a pilot and dedicated rear gunner, who operated the remote controlled turret at the rear.
 +
 
 +
The SM.92 was powered by two Daimler-Benz DB 605 engines producing a combined 2580 hp - fitted to the front of each boom, the engines drove three-bladed propellers. This powerplant enabled the SM.92 to reach a maximum speed of 630 km/h at altitude, with a service ceiling of 12 km. The armament consisted of three MG 151/20 cannons mounted on the centreline and inside the starboard propeller hub, as well as four Breda-SAFAT machine guns mounted firing forwards. A single additional Breda-SAFAT gun was mounted firing rearwards in the tailcone, though this weapon had a very narrow defensive arc.
 +
 
 +
=== Prototype history ===
 +
Construction of the first SM.92 prototype was slow and only completed in late 1943; the prototype took flight for the first time in October of that year. The actual performance of the aircraft was worse than expected, but despite this, the prototype still flew for over 20 hours. In March of 1944, the prototype was airborne when it was engaged by an axis pilot, flying a Macchi [[C.205 (Family)|C.205]], who had mistook the aircraft for the Allied [[P-38 (Family)|P-38 Lightning]]. Having taken severe damage, the aircraft limped home and was grounded for repairs; it was in this state that the aircraft was destroyed by Allied bombing, ending the development of this interesting aircraft design.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 +
;Skins
 +
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=sm_92 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
;Images
 
;Images
Line 188: Line 230:
 
File:SM 92 WTWallpaper 008.jpg
 
File:SM 92 WTWallpaper 008.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|0j96LJ90HzY|'''SM.92 - Thank you enemy team''' - ''Napalmratte''|V_qTrGMS4u4|'''Prop Bug Identified! SM.92 [War Thunder Realistic Review!]''' - ''Jengar''|j4Xhmaq50q0|'''"Pasta la vista" The SM.92 - Lost in the sauce, But why?''' - ''Ash''}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
+
<!-- ''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.'' -->
  
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
+
;Related development
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
 
 +
* [[SM.91]]
 +
 
 +
Vehicles of similar configuration
 +
 
 +
* [[Bf 109 Z-1]]
 +
* [[F-82E]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
 
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
  
 
* [[wt:en/news/6056-development-sm-92-second-chance-for-a-second-tail-en|[Devblog] SM.92: Second Chance for a Second Tail]]
 
* [[wt:en/news/6056-development-sm-92-second-chance-for-a-second-tail-en|[Devblog] SM.92: Second Chance for a Second Tail]]
 +
* [[wikipedia:Savoia-Marchetti_SM.92|[Wikipedia] Savoia-Marchetti SM.92]]
 
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/445724-sm-92/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
 
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/445724-sm-92/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* '''[http://worldatwar.net/chandelle/v3/v3n1/italtwin.html Might Have Beens: Italian Twin-Engined Fighters, 1943]'''
+
* [http://worldatwar.net/chandelle/v3/v3n1/italtwin.html <nowiki>[The World At War]</nowiki> Might Have Beens: Italian Twin-Engined Fighters, 1943]
  
 
{{AirManufacturer SM}}
 
{{AirManufacturer SM}}
 
{{Italy attackers}}
 
{{Italy attackers}}

Latest revision as of 08:40, 10 November 2024

Rank 7 USA
F-5C Pack
sm_92.png
GarageImage SM.92.jpg
SM.92
AB RB SB
4.0 4.0 4.3
Research:18 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:47 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The SM.92 was an Italian twin engine fighter/bomber prototype designed and produced in 1943. It was an improvement of the SM.88, a similar aircraft. The aircraft was powered by two German Daimler-Benz 605 engines. Development of the prototype was slow, being finished in 1943 and tested in 1944. The aircraft's performance was below expectations, and the prototype was damaged after an Axis pilot in a C.205 mistook the prototype for an American P-38 Lightning and engaged it. The aircraft was grounded for repairs and destroyed on the ground due to Allied bombing.

It was introduced in Update 1.87 "Locked On". The SM.92 is a decent jack of all trades, it has good offensive and suspended armament, a decent climb rate with air spawn and average agility. The aircraft is more ideal for boom and zoom tactics in case of air combat, due to its offensive armament a short well placed burst is enough to destroy most fighters, and the armament is also sufficient to engage bombers at high altitudes. For ground battles the 2 x 500 kg bombs can destroy any target in sight, even heavy tanks, so you can attack ground units and then switch to intercept enemy bombers or ground attackers.

General info

Flight performance

Air brakes
Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps
Max speed
at 6 500 m630 km/h
Turn time19 s
Max altitude12 000 m
Engine2 х Daimler-Benz DB-605A1
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight9 t

The SM.92 has a better performance than its predecessor, despite the engines staying the same. It has been made much more aerodynamic with the removal of the gondola on the SM.91 and the moving of the crew to the left fuselage, behind one of the 2 powerful Daimler-Benz 605A1 engines. Part of this improvement is also due to the change on the defensive armament, changing from a 20 mm cannon with a decent traverse to an aerodynamically mounted fixed 12.7 mm Breda-Safat

This plane also has leading edge slats, which help it on its roll rate (as they get deployed on one wing when doing a roll manoeuvre) and its low speed performance.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 6,500 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 606 590 12000 20.5 21.2 8.9 8.9 375
Upgraded 656 630 18.9 19.5 16.0 12.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
845 300 535 450 260 ~10 ~5
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 300 < 240 < 500 > 380
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
6,000 m 1,232 hp 1,387 hp

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people
Speed of destruction
Structural845 km/h
Gear300 km/h
The modules on the SM.92 as seen from the top down. The red squares are the fuel tanks. The green squares are the cooling systems
Armoured windshield on the SM.92
  • Fuel tanks located in wings and behind the engines
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Armoured windscreen

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB758 → 978 Sl icon.png
RB1 386 → 1 789 Sl icon.png
SB2 803 → 3 618 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications19 700 Rp icon.png
32 100 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost980 Ge icon.png
Crew training13 000 Sl icon.png
Experts47 000 Sl icon.png
Aces400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces280 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
50 / 100 / 270 % Sl icon.png
136 / 136 / 136 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
790 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
790 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
1 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 800 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
1 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 800 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 600 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 600 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
safat12_belt_pack
Research:
790 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods ammo.png
safat12_turret_belt_pack
Research:
790 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
GP50
Research:
790 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
safat12_new_gun
Research:
1 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 800 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
GP100
Research:
1 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 800 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods ammo.png
mg15120_belt_pack
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods turret gun.png
safat12_turret_new_gun
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
GP250
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
mg15120_new_gun
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 600 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
GP500
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 600 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

The SM.92 is armed with:

  • 2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons, centre-mounted (300 rpg = 600 total)
  • 1 x 20 mm MG 151 cannon, mounted in right propeller hub (300 rpg)
  • 4 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns, nose-mounted (350 rpg = 1,400 total)

Suspended armament

The SM.92 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 6 x 50 kg GP 50 bombs (300 kg total)
  • 6 x 100 kg GP 100T bombs (600 kg total)
  • 2 x 250 kg GP 250 bombs (500 kg total)
  • 2 x 500 kg GP 500 bombs (1,000 kg total)

Defensive armament

Main article: Breda-SAFAT (12.7 mm)

The SM.92 is defended by:

  • 1 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, tail turret (350 rpg)

Usage in battles

The SM.92 has average manoeuvrability, good armament and good suspended armament, the 4 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT and 3x 20 mm MG151 are very good to destroy the enemy planes by burning them, destroying parts of the enemy planes and knocking out the enemy pilot, the position of armament differs from its predecessor, the SM.91.

Most enemy planes can be destroyed with a head-on and Boom and zoom attacks. Your guns you can destroy every aircraft at your BR. In Ground RB the situation is different because there are some tanks that you can't penetrate so you need to use your suspended armament, the best payload is 2x 500 kg bombs but a downside is that you drop all bombs at once. You can use the SM.92 in pretty much any role you want, here under are some tactics that can be used in battles. At start of the battle, always climb at either 10° (stock) or 12,5° (upgraded) with WEP until 2,000 m and then chose the most suitable tactics depending on the scenario:

Ground attack

In Air RB, focus on the enemy light casemates, AA and artillery with your guns and destroy enemy light tanks and pillboxes with your bombs.

CAS (Close Air Support)

In Ground RB and Naval RB, you can do dive attacks or sea level attacks on ships behind cover

For a dive attack, climb to the altitude of 2,000 m, dive to increase your speed and drop the bombs to the enemy ground vehicles, use 1,5 secs of time fuse. In Naval RB, use Assault fuse and drop the bomb to the enemy ships at circa 300-400 m so you can escape from the enemy AA and your explosion blast wave. After you've spent the bombs, you can destroy little ships and armoured boats with your guns.

For a hedgehopping attack, approach enemy ground vehicles sideways and drop the bombs, the attack is more accurate as you drop altitude but be careful, enemy AA could kill you more easily. In naval RB, use the 1,5 secs fuse so you can bounce the bomb in water and hit the target precisely. After you dropped the bombs you can use the SM.92 as a interceptor and take down enemy planes, so you can protect your team by achieving an air superiority.

Interceptor

After you climbed at 3,000 m, chase enemy bombers: attack them frontally or from. If there are enemy fighters under you, do a boom and zoom attack on them, you can use combat flaps for more manoeuvrability. But your flaps have a rip speed of 535 km/h so don't destroy them or you'll lose speed and manoeuvrability. Some fighters are very manoeuvrable, and if played correctly will evade your BnZ attacks (for example "Zeros" A6M2/A6M5 and Spitfires). In that case, use your attacks as deterrent to prevent them from reaching your altitude.

Manual Engine Control

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

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Potent offensive armament with huge ammo count
  • Great for Head-on and Boom and zoom attacks
  • Can be used as interceptor
  • Gets an attacker spawn (AB/RB)
  • Good diving manoeuvrability
  • Good turn rate

Cons:

  • Poor gun convergence due to gun placements resulting into poor accuracy while turning
  • Defensive turret is almost fixed (only ±2° in each direction); the target has to be at exactly 6 o'clock to be engaged
  • Poor acceleration even when diving
  • Big target for AA and fighters
  • The pilot and gunner are in the same place so they can be knocked out easily
  • Carrying the largest payload has a noticeable effect on performance
  • Wings are littered with fuel tanks
  • Tail is prone to snapping when shot at

History

Front view of the sole Savoia-Marchetti SM.92 prototype.

The Savoia-Marchetti SM.92 was an Italian prototype heavy fighter/bomber aircraft developed during the Second World War. Based on the previous SM.88 prototype heavy fighter, the aircraft featured a dual-boom design with two engines and two crew members both in a single cockpit. Like its predecessor, only a single prototype was built; this aircraft was tested but later damaged when an Axis fighter pilot mistook it for the similarly-shaped American P-38 Lightning. After being grounded for repairs, the single aircraft was destroyed by Allied bombing, thus ending the life of this unique Italian heavy fighter.

Design and development

In 1939, the Italian aircraft firm Savoia-Marchetti produced the SM.88 fighter - this was a prototype heavy fighter aircraft with twin booms, two engines and a crew nacelle nestled in between the booms. Despite being quite successful in tests, the project was abandoned due to the introduction of the German Bf 110, a heavy fighter with similar performance. However, in 1942, Savoia-Marchetti began the development of a new heavy twin-boom heavy fighter aircraft, similar to the SM.88 - this would ultimately become the SM.92.

The SM.92 was developed at the same time as the earlier SM.91 heavy fighter, enabling the use of common components for both aircraft. The aircraft featured a twin boom design, meaning that there were two separate fuselages on the aircraft, one on each side. For simplicity, the SM.92 utilized the fuselage booms, tailplane and wing structure of the SM.91. However, the aircraft had just a single cockpit mounted asymmetrically on the portside or left fuselage. The two crew members consisted of a pilot and dedicated rear gunner, who operated the remote controlled turret at the rear.

The SM.92 was powered by two Daimler-Benz DB 605 engines producing a combined 2580 hp - fitted to the front of each boom, the engines drove three-bladed propellers. This powerplant enabled the SM.92 to reach a maximum speed of 630 km/h at altitude, with a service ceiling of 12 km. The armament consisted of three MG 151/20 cannons mounted on the centreline and inside the starboard propeller hub, as well as four Breda-SAFAT machine guns mounted firing forwards. A single additional Breda-SAFAT gun was mounted firing rearwards in the tailcone, though this weapon had a very narrow defensive arc.

Prototype history

Construction of the first SM.92 prototype was slow and only completed in late 1943; the prototype took flight for the first time in October of that year. The actual performance of the aircraft was worse than expected, but despite this, the prototype still flew for over 20 hours. In March of 1944, the prototype was airborne when it was engaged by an axis pilot, flying a Macchi C.205, who had mistook the aircraft for the Allied P-38 Lightning. Having taken severe damage, the aircraft limped home and was grounded for repairs; it was in this state that the aircraft was destroyed by Allied bombing, ending the development of this interesting aircraft design.

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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 strike aircraft
  Ba.65 (K.14) L · Breda 88 (P.XI) · F.C.20 Bis · P.108A serie 2
  Ro.57 Quadriarma · SM.91 · SM.92
Hungary  ◐Bf 110 G-4 · ◔IL-10
Romania  Hs 129 B-2 (Romania)