DEVELOPMENT SAVOIA-MARCHETTI SM79
Produced by the fertile mind of Ing Alessandro Marchetti, the original design of the SM79 was conceived, as reported in a publication of the period, as a “trimotor civilian aircraft to provide a rapid transport service for passengers and post”. In reality, the aircraft was a natural evolution of the preceding S81, configured as an eight-seat trimotor for express services and competitions, but at the same time with characteristics that would support its potential transformation for military roles. In fact, it was created to take part in 1934’s MacRobertson air race from England to Australia, but it was not possible to finish the machine in time.
The first prototype of what was then called the S79 emerged from the SIAIMarchetti facility at Sesto Calende on 28 September 1934. Registered as I-MAGO, it made its maiden flight on 8 October 1934 with company test pilot Adriano Bacula at the controls. It was powered by three Piaggio PIX Stella RC2 engines of 610hp, preferred to the slightly more powerful 700hp FIAT A59 RC because they were considered more reliable. Marchetti had been forced to opt for a trimotor configuration as the Italian aviation industry could not offer e…
