Savoia-Marchetti SM.82
| SM.82 | |
|---|---|
| Savoia Marchetti SM.82 at the Italian Air Force Museum | |
| General information | |
| Type | Heavy bomber/transport |
| Manufacturer | Savoia-Marchetti |
| Primary users | Regia Aeronautica |
| Number built | 726 + 1 prototype |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1939–1944 |
| Introduction date | 1940 |
| First flight | 1939 |
| Retired | After 1960 |
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.82 Marsupiale is an Italian bomber and transport aircraft of World War II. It was a cantilever, mid-wing monoplane trimotor with a retractable, tailwheel undercarriage. There were 875 (plus one prototype) built, the first entering service in 1940. Although able to operate as a bomber with a maximum bombload of up to 8,818 lb (4000 kg), the SM.82 saw very limited use in this role. The SM.82 was the foreign aircraft used in largest number by the Luftwaffe, which operated several hundreds of this aircraft, as a transport. Post-war about 30 SM.82s continued in service with the Aeronautica Militare Italiana, many remaining in service until the early 1960s.