It was the most important Italian bomber of World War II, this tough three-engine aircraft established a reputation that contrasted with most Italian weapons of the day, and it was flown with courage and skill. SM.79s served widely in the normal bombing role, but it is as a land-based torpedo bomber that the type deserves its place in military aviation history, being regarded by many as one of the finest torpedo bombers of the war.
In spite of its cumbersome appearance and outdated construction, with an internal provision for 2,750 lb (1,250 kg) of bombs, supplemented by under fuselage rack for a torpedo, the S.M.79 was a rugged, reliable multi-role medium bomber which did quite a bit of damage in the face of heavy opposition. About 1,300 production models were built over a nine year period. The SM.79 had a distinctive 'hump' on the upper forward fuselage, which housed both the fixed forward-firing heavy machine-gun and the dorsal gunner's position.
Its appearance earned the aircraft the nickname 'Gobbo Maledetto' ('Damned Hunchback'). During the last phases of the war the surviving SM.79s were converted into various versions of utility transports and used in that role until 1952. 4 UPGRADED+1 NEW Hi-Res GMax models (5 different versions) feature the usual moving parts, such as all flight controls, props pitch and leading edge flaps. Eleven (11) different liveries (6 R.A., 1 A.N.R., 1 I.C.A.F., 1 Post-war A.M.I., 2 Spanish Nationalist Air Force). VC only. This plane was developed for FS9, but it works (it seems without problems) either in FSX. Created by Manuele Villa & Italian Wings , February 2008. Installation instructions included.
by mvg3d
