Aviation of World War II
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Aviation of World War II |
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SM.91
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| SM.91 Specification | |
| Crew | 2 |
| Dimensions | |
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| Wing span, m | 19.70 |
| Wing area, m² | 41.76 |
| Length, m | 13.25 |
| Height, m | 3.84 |
| Powerplant | |
| 2 × PE Alfa Romeo RA-1050 RC.58 Tifone (DB 605A-1), hp | 2 × 1,475 |
| Weights and loads, kg: | |
| Empty | 6,400 |
| Loaded weight | 8,890 |
| Performance | |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 584 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 515 |
| Rate of climb, m/min | 706 |
| Service range, km | 1,590 |
| Service ceiling, m | 11,000 |
Armament. Five 20 mm Mauser MG 151/20 cannons (300 rounds per gun), bomb load - four 100 or 160 kilogram bombs or one 500 kilogram
| Photo | Description |
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SM.92
While the SM.91 was being tested, the design team led by Alessandro Marchetti began developing an improved twin-boom fighter. To achieve an increase in speed performance, it was necessary to reduce aerodynamic drag and reduce the weight of the aircraft. This is how the idea came up to completely abandon the gondola, which housed the pilot and weapons. Instead, the cockpit was moved to the left beam, and the weapons were left in the center section. In addition, a fairing for a remotely controlled 12.7 mm machine gun was installed in the tail section, providing fire at the rear hemisphere. Otherwise, the design of the SM.92 fighter was practically no different from the SM.91. The construction of the aircraft took place in unfavorable conditions, when Italy's defeat in the war left little doubt. After the division of the country, the prototype SM.91 and the unfinished SM.92 passed into German hands. Formally, the SM.92 seemed to belong to the Italians (they even managed to assign it the number MM.531), but in fact everything was in charge of the German administration, which hoped to organize the production of promising Italian fighters in its own interests. This fighter made its first flight on November 12, 1943, bearing German insignia, but on board the aircraft were the Italian pilot Aldo Modgi and mechanic Carlo Balzarini. During testing, the SM.92 reached a speed of 600 km/h and showed a better rate of climb compared to the SM.91. By March 17, 1944, the fighter had flown 15 hours, when on its next flight it collided with an MS.205 flying nearby. One of the engines was severely damaged by the impact, but the pilot managed to reach the airfield and land. The aircraft was sent for repairs, which lasted until June 1944, after which the SM.92 made several more test flights lasting approximately 6 hours. The short life of the SM.92 ended on December 27, 1944, when the only prototype fighter was destroyed during an American bombing raid. There is no information about plans for its serial construction, but after this incident the Germans refused to continue work on the SM.92.While the SM.91 was being tested, the design team led by Alessandro Marchetti began developing an improved twin-boom fighter. To achieve an increase in speed performance, it was necessary to reduce aerodynamic drag and reduce the weight of the aircraft. This is how the idea came up to completely abandon the gondola, which housed the pilot and weapons. Instead, the cockpit was moved to the left beam, and the weapons were left in the center section. In addition, a fairing for a remotely controlled 12.7 mm machine gun was installed in the tail section, providing fire at the rear hemisphere. Otherwise, the design of the SM.92 fighter was practically no different from the SM.91. The construction of the aircraft took place in unfavorable conditions, when Italy's defeat in the war left little doubt. After the division of the country, the prototype SM.91 and the unfinished SM.92 passed into German hands. Formally, the SM.92 seemed to belong to the Italians (they even managed to assign it the number MM.531), but in fact everything was in charge of the German administration, which hoped to organize the production of promising Italian fighters in its own interests. This fighter made its first flight on November 12, 1943, bearing German insignia, but on board the aircraft were the Italian pilot Aldo Modgi and mechanic Carlo Balzarini. During testing, the SM.92 reached a speed of 600 km/h and showed a better rate of climb compared to the SM.91. By March 17, 1944, the fighter had flown 15 hours, when on its next flight it collided with an MS.205 flying nearby. One of the engines was severely damaged by the impact, but the pilot managed to reach the airfield and land. The aircraft was sent for repairs, which lasted until June 1944, after which the SM.92 made several more test flights lasting approximately 6 hours. The short life of the SM.92 ended on December 27, 1944, when the only prototype fighter was destroyed during an American bombing raid. There is no information about plans for its serial construction, but after this incident the Germans refused to continue work on the SM.92.
Armament. Three 20-mm Mauser MG 151/20 cannons (ammunition - 300 rounds), five 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns (350 rounds each) Bibliography
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Aircraft
