Savoia Marchetti SM. 85-II

[63cpe]

Savoia Marchetti SM. 85-II

Savoia Marchetti was aware of the success of the Junkers Ju-87 early on. The experience gained by the Condor legion in Spain was the deciding factor and Italian aircraft builders were asked to design a fighter, scout and tactical dive bomber. The Breda Ba.64 and Ba.65 were also designs for the same tasks. After several attempts, Savoia Marchetti also came up with design in 1937. The earlier Sm.85-I proved unsuccessful due to late cruising speed and insufficient climbing ability. The subsequent Sm.86 developed two year later as successorof the Sm.85-I also proved unsuccessful. As many thought an successful Italian design should be in the Sm.85 the model was redesigned by Allessandro Marchetti in 1940 along the same design lines as the Sm.79 and with a new engine the Piaggio P XIX. This led to the Savoia Marchetti Sm.85-II in 1941. This aircraft had clearly better capacities due to a stronger engine, a lighter construction and better aerodynamics. But in the meantime the tactical dive bomber had lost some of its usefulness and the design came too late to have any real impact on the course of the war. Here are pictures of a Sm.85-II in Sardinia in 1943.

IMG_7209 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

IMG_7214 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

IMG_7218 (2) by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

IMG_7219 (2) by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

IMG_7225 by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

IMG_7227 (2) by Buddy Holly, on Flickr

Basically it's a 1/48 Albatros D. Va fuselage turned upside down with an engine from a 1/72 Sm.79, wing tips from a Sm. 79, cockpit and canopy of a PZL 38 Los, stabilos of a Siebel Si 204 and two DeHavilland DH.89 tails. The landing gear and wheels are from a 1/48 Mc 202 from Scale Aircraft Conversions.

More pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jetsonsspecial/albums/72157717645912033/with/50783781546/

Hope you like it.

David aka 63cpe

[63cpe]

and Happy new year to all of you an your loved ones!

I'm glad I could finish these models in 2020 eventhough it was just hours before 01-01-2021. It was quite a year. The daytime job and study kept me from modelling so this set is all for this year. Next year will be better, in every aspect, i'm sure.

Cheers!

David aka 63cpe

[kitbasher]

Ooh, very nice 

Made mostly from the Heralds leftovers?

[Tophe]

At first sight, my feeling was "what is this? single-engined?"

Basically it's a 1/48 Albatros D. Va fuselage turned upside down with an engine from a 1/72 Sm.79, wing tips from a Sm. 79, cockpit and canopy of a PZL 38 Los, stabilos of a Siebel Si 204 and two DeHavilland DH.89 tails. The landing gear and wheels are from a 1/48 Mc 202 from Scale Aircraft Conversions.

Oh, I understand it was difficult to guess by myself!

[NARSES2]

Amazing series of Kitbashes David 

[Hotte]

Klasse 

Hotte

[zenrat]

Love the paintjob Dave.

[chrisonord]

That paint job  must have given you eye ache David,  its proper  lewd
Chris

[stevehed]

I like it. A splendid example of spares box recycling.

[Wurgerman]

Lovely build and concept !

Wurgerman

[comrade harps]

Excellent kitbash! It had me guessing and love the Italian spotty camo