Savoia-Marchetti SM.83

Savoia-Marchetti

Industry	Aerospace
Headquarters	Italy

The Savoia-Marchetti SM.83 was an Italian civil airliner from the 1930s, developed as a civilian adaptation of the Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 bomber.

Design and development

Featuring a monoplane layout with retractable landing gear and a slender fuselage, the SM.83's cabin accommodated four crew members along with between four and ten passengers. Despite its compact size, it was equipped with heating, oxygen supply, and soundproofing for passenger comfort. The aircraft's construction combined various materials characteristic of Savoia-Marchetti designs of that era: a steel tube framework for the fuselage, wooden wings, and an outer covering composed of wood, fabric, or metal. The wings were fitted with slats to enhance aerodynamic performance. Propulsion was provided by three AR.126 engines, collectively delivering approximately 2,300 horsepower.

The aircraft had a reported maximum range of 4,800 km (3,000 mi). Its top speed reached about 444 km/h (276 mph) at an altitude of 4,000 m (13,000 ft), slightly surpassing that of the bomber variant due to the elimination of the gondola and dorsal machine gun positions.

The SM.83 took to the skies for the first time on 19 November 1937 and subsequently entered production for operators such as LATI, SABENA, among others. Nonetheless, it achieved less commercial success than the more economical and spacious 18-seat Savoia-Marchetti S.73, despite offering superior performance. Consequently, only 23 units were manufactured across two primary production series.

Operational history

With the onset of World War II, Italian authorities requisitioned these aircraft for use by the Regia Aeronautica, where they served primarily in transport roles.

Towards the war’s conclusion, one SM.83 was employed in an escape flight from Italy. Since Spain prohibited landings by Axis military or civilian planes, this particular aircraft was repainted with Croatian markings and registered under a Croatian owner’s name. Carrying an augmented fuel load of 5,000 litres—50% above standard capacity—and transporting fourteen passengers including the parents of Claretta Petacci, companion to Benito Mussolini, it departed Milan at 04:30 on 23 April 1945 and reached Barcelona approximately three hours later. The crew and plane were only returned in September following this flight.

Civilian operators

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• SABENA - operated four units (three received)

Italy

• Ala Littoria
• LATI

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• LARES - utilized three aircraft
• Prince Bibesco of Romania - owned one unit

Military operators

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• Belgian Air Force

Italy

• Regia Aeronautica

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• Royal Romanian Air Force

Specifications (S.83)

File:Italian Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 tri-motor In USAAF service 1942.jpg