05/20/2003. Remarks by Carlo Soliani: "The SM.83 long-range civil transport stemmed directly from the famous bomber SM.79. The photo depicts the prototype, registered as I-LUCE it was first flown on November 3, 1937. As I-ESTE (from June 13 to August 8, 1939) this aircraft was used by Galeazzo Ciano (son-in-law of Benito Mussolini). Then, with the registration I-ESTO (from April 20, 1940) this aircraft was pressed in military service and was used until 1943 for special transport missions. The letters G.Q. in the circle painted in fuselage means "Grande Quota" (High Altitude); in fact the aircraft was equipped with individual oxygen inhalators for crew and passengers, in order to allow the flight at high altitudes."