Savoia-Marchetti S.59

Role: Reconnaissance/bomber flying boat
Manufacturer: Savoia-Marchetti
First 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 Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force).

Development

Developed as an updated version of the Savoia S.16 for the Regia Aeronautica's maritime patrol 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 7.7 mm (.303 in) Lewis Gun. The prototype was powered by two 268 kW (360 hp) Rolls-Royce Eagle engines and first flew in 1925. It was underpowered and 40 production aircraft were built with 298 kW (400 hp) Lorraine-Dietrich 12Db V12 engines 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 380 kW (510 hp) 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 Regia 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 The type was withdrawn from front-line service in 1937 and relegated to training duties.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.

A company called TAXI AEREI in Argentina used one S.59 bis in 1928 and it was later sold to the Paraguayan government for its Naval Aviation in 1929. This plane, serial R.1, saw action in the Chaco War and it was in active service until 1942.

Variants

S.59 Prototype
One prototype with two 268 kW (360 hp) Rolls-Royce Eagle engines
S.59
Production variant with 298 kW (400 hp) Lorraine-Dietrich 12Db V12 engines, 40 built.
S.59bis
Re-engined variant with 380 kW (510 hp) Isotta-Fraschini Asso 500 engines, 222 built.
S.59P
Civil variant with enclosed cabin for two crew and four passengers.

Operators

Argentina

Taxi Aerei

Italy

Regia Aeronautica

Paraguay

Paraguayan Naval Aviation

Romania

Specifications (S.59bis)

Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. pp. 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: 1,950 kg (4,299 lb)
Gross weight: 2,950 kg (6,504 lb)
Powerplant: 2 x— 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: 4,550 m (14,930 ft)

Armament

1 x— 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Lewis Gun
280 kg (617 lb) of bombs on external racks

Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. pp. 2893.
Sapienza Fracchia, Antonio Luis: "La Contribucix³n Italiana en la Aviacix³n Paraguaya". Author's edition. Asuncix³n, 2007. 300 pp.

Savoia-Marchetti S.59 Pictures

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Source: WikiPedia