The Savoia-Marchetti SM.92 was an Italian heavy fighter/bomber of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

based on the

Savoia-Marchetti SM.88 The Savoia-Marchetti SM.88, was an Italian twin-engined, three-seat, heavy fighter prototype of World War II, featuring a twin-boom structure, and powered by German Daimler-Benz DB 601 engines. The SM.88, intended for export, was a land-based, ...

. The SM.92 did away with the mid-wing crew nacelle. The crew of two sat in the left fuselage only. Two DB 605 engines were fitted. Armament consisted of three 20 mm MG 151 cannon, two in the mid-wing and one in the right fuselage, and five 12.7 mm machine guns, two under each engin

and one remotely controlled in the tail. A bombload of up to 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) could be carried under the inner wing, and 160 kg (350 lb) bombs were carried under the outer wings. During development the maximum speed was increased, but it still did not meet requirements. It had a complex and advanced structure which contributed to difficulties in producing a working prototype. The prototype ''MM.531'' flew for the first time in October 1943 and logged over 21 hours of flight time. In March 1944 it was mistaken for a

P-38 Lightning The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is an American single-seat, twin piston-engined fighter aircraft that was used during World War II. Developed for the United States Army Air Corps by the Lockheed Corporation, the P-38 incorporated a distinctive tw ...

and attacked by a

Macchi C.205 The Macchi C.205 ''Veltro'' ( it, Greyhound) (also known as MC.205, "MC" standing for "Macchi Castoldi") was an Italian World War II fighter aircraft built by the Aeronautica Macchi. Along with the Reggiane Re.2005 and Fiat G.55, the Macchi C.205 ...

. The aircraft survived by performing evasive manoeuvres, but it was so badly damaged that it was grounded for months. The SM.92 was destroyed by Allied bombing in 1944.

Specifications (SM.92)

References

* Lembo, Daniele, ''I bifusoliera della Regia'', Storia militare magazine, Westward editions, n.11, April–May 2000

External links

SM.91 & SM.92
{{Savoia-Marchetti aircraft Abandoned military aircraft projects of Italy sm.092 World War II Italian fighter aircraft Savoia-Marchetti SM.92 Aircraft first flown in 1943 Mid-wing aircraft 1940s Italian fighter aircraft Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft