Malta in a Pedestal Modelling the Axis Bomber

Italeri’s 1/72 Savoia Marchetti S.79sil Sparviero (Sparrowhawk).

- Stephen J DI Nucci

Producing an accurate model of an S.79sil(silurante or torpedo) is more problematic than might be thought. Italeri have produced their S.79 in three versions. Chronologically earliest is the SM.79 1 Serie, kit number 1261, but this one is a straight bomber and dated to the Spanish Civil War/early World War II. The next, the SM 79 Sparviero, kit number 1225, represents the major wartime production batches and is sometimes referred to as the Serie II. Straight from the box this kit builds into an S.79sil torpedo bomber if the four option decal sheet and the inbox torpedo are all taken into account, and this is the one required for this 1942 project.

With the kit selected, how might it be embellished? Eduard’s etched sets for the exterior and interior were must haves, particularly given that so much of the interior is visible with the dorsal hatches open. I also used Eduard’s ammunition set 73007, plus their windows mask set CX033. I further used a resin set by Pavla numbered U72-46 which gives replacement engines and weighted wheels, and Quickboost’s set QB72106, which gives corrected engine cowlings.

Some S.79sils were converted from bombers but others, starting with certain batches built from 1940 onwards, were built from the outset as torpedo bombers. The only wholly dedicated torpedo version of the aircraft was the previously noted SM.79bis (which did away with the bombardier’s gondola). Apart from the obvious torpedo, Eduard were clearly well aware of differences between the bomber and torpedo bomber versions, the instruction sheet for 72 415 requiring some choices to be made between one and the other.