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

World War II Database

SM.81 file photo [4113]

SM.81 Pipistrello

CountryItaly
ManufacturerSavoia-Marchetti
Primary RoleMedium Bomber
Maiden Flight1 January 1934

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe SM.81 Pipistrello ("Bat") bombers were developed from an earlier SM.73 airliner design. They first saw combat in Abyssinia, where they served bombing, reconnaissance, and transport roles. They also served under the Spanish Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War. Although they were dated by the time Italy entered WW2, more than 100 SM.81 bombers remained in service with the Italian air force Regia Aeronautica. In North Africa, where hostile aerial opposition was less intense, they continued to serve as a night bomber, but in the Mediterranean Sea and later in the Sicily Campaign they were used mainly as a transport only. A total of 534 were built during the design's production life. After the war, a few of them continued to serve with Italy and Spain until 1950.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Jul 2007

SPECIFICATIONS

SM.81
MachineryThree Piaggio P.X RC.35 radial engines rated at 700hp each
Armament6x7.7mm machine guns, 2,000kg maximum bomb load
Crew6
Span24.00 m
Length18.30 m
Height4.45 m
Wing Area93.00 m²
Weight, Empty6,300 kg
Weight, Maximum9,300 kg
Speed, Maximum340 km/h
Service Ceiling7,000 m
Range, Normal2,000 km

Photographs

Close-up view beneath SM.81 bomberGround crew working with a transport version of SM.81 aircraft, date unknown
See all 6 photographs of SM.81 Pipistrello Medium Bomber



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 Your email will not be published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
SM.81 Pipistrello Medium Bomber Photo Gallery
Close-up view beneath SM.81 bomberGround crew working with a transport version of SM.81 aircraft, date unknown
See all 6 photographs of SM.81 Pipistrello Medium Bomber


Famous WW2 Quote
"All that silly talk about the advance of science and such leaves me cold. Give me peace and a retarded science."

Thomas Dodd, late 1945


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!