×
Home Intro People Events Equipment Places Maps Books Photos Videos Other Reference FAQ About
     

World War II Database

S.55 file photo [12128]

S.55

CountryItaly
ManufacturerSavoia-Marchetti
Primary RoleSeaplane

Contributor:

ww2dbaseDesigned by Alessandro Marchetti, the S.55 flying boat first took flight in Aug 1924. They were set apart from other contemporary aircraft by each having two hulls, with the pilot and crew in one and passengers and cargo in another. Their engine replacement was also interesting, each having two engines mounted high above the wings, back-to-back, rotating in opposite directions. In 1926, the S.55P prototype aircraft set 14 world records, including speed, altitude, altitude, and distance with a payload. The design entered production later in 1926, and by Feb 1927 had already joined the short list of aircraft that were able to make the cross-Atlantic journey. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, many S.55 aircraft were used by Italy to showcase its technological might. In the mid-1930s, they were used as naval reconnaissance aircraft, patrol aircraft, and light bombers by Italy and Germany. By the time the European War began in Sep 1939, however, they had already become obsolete, though many remained in Italian and German service in rear areas. Nations friendly with Italy during WW2, such as Spain and Romania, also operated a number of them.

ww2dbaseDuring the design's production life 200 examples were built.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia

Last Major Revision: Mar 2011

SPECIFICATIONS

S.55X
MachineryTwo Isotta-Fraschini Asso 750V engines rated at 880hp each
Armament4x7.7mm machine guns, 1 torpedo or 2,000kg of bombs
Crew6
Span24.00 m
Length16.75 m
Height5.00 m
Wing Area93.00 m²
Weight, Empty5,750 kg
Weight, Maximum8,260 kg
Speed, Maximum279 km/h
Service Ceiling5,000 m
Range, Normal3,500 km

Photographs

Two S.55 flying boats in flight, circa 1930sS.55P flying boat, circa 1933
See all 5 photographs of S.55 Seaplane



Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds




Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Change View
Desktop View

Search WW2DB
S.55 Seaplane Photo Gallery
Two S.55 flying boats in flight, circa 1930sS.55P flying boat, circa 1933
See all 5 photographs of S.55 Seaplane


Famous WW2 Quote
"Goddam it, you'll never get the Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole! Follow me!"

Captain Henry P. Jim Crowe, Guadalcanal, 13 Jan 1943


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!