Italian SM.81 Medium Bomber

The Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 Pipistrello was an Italian three-engine aircraft developed in the 1930s for bombing and transport duties. It saw action in Ethiopia and Spain before the Second World War. Although increasingly slow and vulnerable as a daylight bomber, its load-carrying ability supported transport and night operations. The mixed bomber-transport career illustrates how an aircraft could remain useful after becoming obsolete for its original front-line mission. It differed from the faster and more famous SM.79. Transport missions could keep an older aircraft useful long after its survivability as a daylight bomber declined. The SM81’s tri-motor appearance nevertheless distinguishes it from smaller twin-engine military transports.

Finish and color

Supplied unpainted and printed in the selected color. Choose from the available product color options.

Tabletop use

Suitable for period-appropriate custom scenarios in the Global War series of games by Historical Board Gaming and compatible Axis & Allies games. Use suitable scenario or house rules for unit statistics and any technology upgrades. This piece does not supply additional game rules.

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