Although the SM.79 was originally designed and operated as an airliner, it ended up as the best and certainly most widely recognized bomber used by the Regia Aeronautica in World War II. In fact, to the Italian nation, the Sparviero ('Sparrowhawk') was everything that the Spitfire was to the British and the Zero-Sen was to the Japanese. Many of Italy's most famous pilots flew the the Sparviero and the exploits of Italy's torpedo-bombing squadrons equipped with the type, the Aerosiluranti, were almost legendary. Indeed, Spavieros were credited with sinking the carrier HMS Eagle, the destroyers , Legion, Southwall, Husky, Kujavik II, as well as other British naval vessels and numerous cargo ships. The SM.79 was also used extensively for reconnaissance, level bombing and, in the later stages of the fighting in North Africa, for close support duties. Over 1,300 Sparvieros were produced in all variants, more than all other Italian bombers combined.

The SM.79 was previously offered as a resin model by WEM. We also offered one as a 3D printed model earlier but we've upgraded that offering and this set actually includes two different models - two gear up models and another complete with a torpedo under the fuselage! We think that these 3D printed models easily rival (and probably exceed) the quality of the WEM model but we've posted some high resolution photos so you can judge for yourself. While photography of these little gems is a challenge for our equipment and limited skills, check out the well proportioned model including the distinctive 'hump' on the forward fuselage which housed both the forward firing heavy machine gun and the dorsal gunner's position, the ventral gondola, the engines, wings, tail assembly and the tiny torpedo on one of the models!

The surfaces of these models are not perfectly smooth (3D printing is done in layers) but the plastic can be sanded and painted much the same way you would handle resin or styrene. The models may still have some powder and oil-like agent on them that can easily be removed by washing in warm water with a drop of detergent added. While the landing gear is represented in the retracted, in-flight position, it should be fairly straight forward to add photo etch parts for a "gear down" rendition, perfect for an air base diorama.

NOTE: While we currently maintain limited inventories of most items, some items may be "printed on demand", which usually requires 10-15 business days from order to shipment.