BERNHARD C.F. KLEIN MEMORIAL COLLECTION
No. 11237. Savoia-Marchetti SM.92 (MM531) Luftwaffe
Source unknown

Savoia-Marchetti SM.92

03/31/2012. Evolved in parallel with the SM.91 to meet the 1941 requirement for a two-seat multi-role fighter, the SM.92 retained the basic wing and tail surfaces, and a similar starboard tail boom, and was also powered by two 1,290 hp Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1 engines. By comparison with the SM.91, however, the central fuselage nacelle was eliminated and tandem accommodation for the crew members provided in the port boom.

The proposed armament of the SM.92 consisted of two 0.787 in (20 mm) cannon in the wing center section, a similar weapon mounted in the starboard engine, two 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns beneath each engine and one 0.50 in (12.7 mm) gun firing aft from a remotely-controlled barbette on the tail plane (site files).

The sole prototype of the SM.92 was flown under German auspices (but carrying an Italian s/n !) on November 12, 1943, and although it was anticipated that the substantial reduction in drag resulting from the elimination of the central fuselage nacelle would result in an exceptional performance, little flight testing was undertaken.

Created March 31, 2012