Savoia-Marchetti S.59
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| Savoia-Marchetti S.59 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Reconnaissance/bomber flying boat |
| Manufacturer | Savoia-Marchetti |
| Maiden flight | 1925 |
| Introduced | 1926 |
| Primary user | Regia Aeronautica |
| Number built | 240+ |
The Savoia-Marchetti S.59 was a 1920s Italian reconnaissance/bomber flying boat designed and built by Savoia-Marchetti for the Italian Air Force.
[edit] Development
Developed as an updated version of the Savoia S.16 for the Regia Aeronautica's maritime reconnaissance squadrons. A biplane flying boat the S.59 had two side-by-side cockpits forward of the wings and a low cockpit fitted with a Lewis machine-gun. The prototype was powered by two 360hp (268kW) Rolls-Royce Eagle engines and first flew in 1925. It was underpowered and 40 production aircraft were built with 400hp (298kW) Lorraine-Dietrich 12Db radials which did not cure the limited performance but the first aircraft was delivered in 1926.
To try and improve performance the next variant, the S.59bis had more powerful 510hp (380kW) Isotta-Fraschini Asso 500 engines. The company built 82 and CANT and Macchi also built 50 each which were all delivered in 1930. In 1928 the Reggia Aeronautica flew a spectacular formation cruise of the western Mediterranean with 51 aircraft.
During service some aircraft were modified with Handley Page leading-edge slats on the upper wing. The type was withdrawn from front line service in 1937 and relegated to training duties.
The aircraft was exported to Argentina (10 aircraft) and Romania (eight aircraft) and a civil variant was developed as the S.59P with an enclosed cabin for the two crew and four passengers.
One aircraft named Buenos Aires made a celebrated flight from New York to Buenos Aires in 1926.
[edit] Variants
- S.59 Prototype
- One prototype with two 360hp (268kW) Rolls-Royce Eagle engines
- S.59
- Production variant with 400hp (298kW) Lorraine-Dietrich 12Db radial engines, 40 built.
- S.59bis
- Re-engined variant with 510hp (380kW) Isotta-Fraschini Asso 500 engines, 222 built.
- S.59P
- Civil variant with enclosed cabin for two crew and four passengers.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (S.59bis)
Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing, 2893.
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 10.36 m (11 ft 11¾ in)
- Wingspan: 15.50 m (50 ft 10¼ in)
- Height: 3.50 m (11 ft 5¾ in)
- Wing area: 60 m² (645.86 ft²)
- Empty weight: 1950 kg (4299 lb)
- Gross weight: 2950 kg (6504 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Isotta-Fraschini Asso 500 Vee piston engine, 380 kW (510 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 200 km/h (124 mph)
- Endurance: 5 hours 0 min
- Service ceiling: 4550 m (14,930 ft)
Armament
- 1 x 7.7mm (0.303in) Lewis machine-gun
- 280kg (617lb) of bombs on external racks
[edit] See also
Related lists
[edit] References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing, 2893.
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