Savoia Marchetti S.M.81 Pipistrello 1/72 Scale Model

Italian S.M.81 - This is a model of a medium bomber that flew from Italian East Africa in 1940 against the British in Aden. Like the S.M. 79, the S.M. 81 was derived from a civilian airliner. The S.M. 81 first saw combat in Spain in 1936, when Mussolini sent planes and pilots to help the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War. It was obsolete by the beginning of WWII, so it was used primarily for night bombing and special duties because of its vulnerability to enemy fighters. It was, however, used often as a transport plane.

More Photos: Left, Right, Front, Top, Front Angle Right, Front Angle Left, Rear Angle Right, Rear Angle Left, Above Right, Above Left

Air War for Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete, Christopher Shores

Aircraft of the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939, Gerald Howson

Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II, David Mondey

Dust Clouds in the Middle East: The Air War for East Africa, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Madagascar, 1940-42,  Christopher Shores

Fighters Over the Desert: The Air Battles in the Western Desert. June 1940 to December 1942, Christopher Shores

In the Skies of Europe: Air Forces Allied to the Luftwaffe 1939-1945, John Cochrane

Italian Aircraft of WWII, Nico Sgarlato

Spanish Civil War Air Forces, Christopher Shores