SM.91

SM.91

▄Ju 87 D-3

SM.92

SM.91

▄Ju 87 D-3

SM.92

Italy

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.7	3.7	4.0

Class:

Strike aircraft

Research:11 000

Purchase:22 000

Show in game

Description

The SM.91 in the garage

The SM.91 is a Rank II Italian attacker with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB/RB) and 4.0 (SB). This aircraft was introduced in Update 1.85 "Supersonic".

General info

Flight Performance

The SM.91 fulfils a similar role to the P-38 when flown as an interceptor; a twin-engined fighter that is surprisingly capable as a dogfighter due to its good turn rate, especially when spaded. The twin Piaggio P.XI RC.40 12 cylinder inlines, which happen to be a pair of the powerful DB 605 Inverted V12 engines, are placed away from the cockpit, meaning its hard to take them out in a head-on. However, the heavy nature of the plane means that its acceleration is quite sluggish at low altitudes. The aircraft also sports leading edge wing slats that shorten the turning circle and has airbrakes that can help it slow down in a dive and help when landing on an airfield, which is already fairly easy due to its tri landing gear.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 7,010 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
553	545	9,500	21.4	21.9	9.3	9.3	400
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 7,010 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
?	?	9500	??.?	??.?	??.?	??.?	400

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
√	√	√	√	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
845	300	???	~??	~?

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< ???	< ???	< ???	> ???

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
?,??? m	??? hp	?,??? hp

Survivability and armour

• No armour plating
• Critical components located at the front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
• More fuel tanks located in wings near the fuselage

Armaments

Offensive armament

The SM.91 is armed with:

• 6 x 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons (300 rpg = 1,800 total)

The SM.91 has 6 of the powerful MG 151/20's mounted in the centre of the aircraft nose and can utilize the Minengeschoss round. Use stealth or air target belts for best effectiveness.

Suspended armament

The SM.91 can be outfitted with the following ordinance:

• Without load
• 6 x GP 50 (300 kg total)
• 6 x GP 100 ( 600 kg total)

The SM.91 can carry up to 6 x 100 kg bombs, which makes it useable in ground forces battles. Due to the rather small size of the bombs, you have to be extra accurate when dropping bombs.

Defensive armament

The SM.91 is defended by:

1 x 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon (350 RPG = 350 total)

The SM.91 can defend itself very well from any tailing aircraft. Use universal belts for the most effective defensive fire.

Usage in the battles

The SM.91 can be played in two different ways; Ground attacker or Interceptor.

When flying it as an interceptor, it can shred bombers apart with its powerful armament and can ward off escorts who try to tail it with its single 20 mm cannon. However, it is paramount that you come in from oblique angles when attacking bombers, as their gunners can easily take out your pilot due to your lack of armour and bulletproof glass.

When flying it as a ground attacker, be weary that carrying the max payload will significantly decrease performance and you will be a prime target for low flying fighters like Yak's and Spitfires. However the maximum payload is rather weak, only 6 100 kg bombs with a max armour pen value of 91 mm and a death radius of 4 meters. This means that you land a near perfect or direct hit on the medium and heavy tanks in order to destroy them.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not ontrollable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator		Turret 20 mm belts	MCGP50
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 20 mm cannons (turret)
III	Wings Repair	Engine		Offensive 20 mm belts	MCSAP100
IV		Engine Injection	Cover	New 20 mm cannons

Pros and cons

Pros:

• 6 x 20 mm MG 151 in the centre of the aircraft
• Main armament has an insane ammo capacity
• Gets an attacker spawn (AB/RB)
• 20 mm MG151 turret in the back
• Surprisingly good turn rate
• Can act as a powerful interceptor
• Made entirely out of metal, so it can take some punishment.
• Fuel tanks are self-sealing

Cons:

• No armor protection
• Big target
• Lack of bulletproof glass means pilot is susceptible to getting knocked out, especially in head-ons
• Wings are littered with fuel tanks
• Carrying the largest payload has a noticeable effect on performance

History

in 1942, Regia Aeronautica requested a new, long range aircraft that was to be powered by the German DB 601 Inline Inverted V12, carry an 800 kg bomb load, have 6 x 20 mm main armament and a single 20 mm rear cannon. Savoia-Marchetti had previously worked on the SM.88 heavy fighter and the request for a long range fighter disqualified the 88, as it only had a 1,250 L fuel capacity. SM started to work on a new fighter named the SM.91 that was made entirely out of metal, had 6 20 mm MG 151 cannons (7 if you count the rear gunner) provided by Germany, was powered by two DB 605 engines and had a range of 1,600 km with a 1,600 L fuel capacity that could be enlarged to 1,800 L with auxiliary tanks.

The two prototypes that were produced made their maiden flight on the 11th of may, 1943 and logged 27 hours at Vergiate. However, it was never entered into the official tests, mainly due to it still being in testing. The first prototype was captured and sent to Germany, and the second prototype was presumed to have been destroyed by bombers.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read 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.

Sources

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• topic on the official game forum;
• page on aircraft encyclopedia;
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