S.M.79 bis/N (Germany)

Description

The ▀S.M.79 Sparviero bis/N (1942) is a gift rank German bomber with a battle rating of (AB), (RB), and (SB). Though initially in the game pre-1.27, this plane was removed upon Update 1.37 due to redundancy.

General info

Flight performance

Details

Survivability and armour

• No armour protection
• Self-sealing fuel tanks (1 below dorsal gunner, 4 in each wing)

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Offensive armament

The S.M.79 bis/N (Germany) is armed with:

• 1 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, dorsal-mounted (350 rpg)

Suspended armament

The S.M.79 bis/N (Germany) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 12 x 50 kg GP 50 bombs (600 kg total)
• 12 x 100 kg GP 100T bombs (1,200 kg total)
• 5 x 250 kg GP 250 bombs (1,250 kg total)
• 1 x 450 mm F200/450 torpedo
• 2 x 500 kg GP 500 bombs (1,000 kg total)

Defensive armament

The S.M.79 bis/N (Germany) is defended by:

• 1 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, dorsal turret (500 rpg)
• 1 x 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun, ventral turret (500 rpg)
• 1 x 7.7 mm Lewis machine gun, 2 x beam turrets (485 rpg)

Usage in battles

Due to its relatively low battle rating, the three-engined S.M.79 enjoys a relatively high speed for a bomber against most of the lower ranked opposition it faces. This aids its survivability, particularly in a shallow dive. Unfortunately, it is rather lacking in bombload options compared to the He 111s and Ju 88s and also has rather poor defensive fire arcs. Unlike the German bombers, however, it is armed with 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns which can pack quite a punch against the flimsier aircraft it faces. The pilot also controls a fixed forward-firing 12.7 mm Breda, which is otherwise uncovered by any defensive armament. This gun can be useful for strafing light vehicles and trucks that will be encountered frequently in low-rank battles and can be used to shoot down other aircraft. It is somewhat more manoeuvrable than the He 111 H-3, but the Sparviero is by no means a fighter and will rapidly lose energy in turns. With the ability to carry 500 kg bombs, the S.M.79 can use these to more easily take out pillboxes and heavier tanks, although this reduces the total bombload to only 1,000 kg as opposed to 1,250 kg with 250 kg bombs.

Manual Engine Control

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Hard-hitting 12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT defensive machine guns
• Pilot-controlled fixed forward-firing 12.7 mm Breda, which can be equipped with IAI (explosive) ammunition
• High speed
• Middle engine provides some level of protection for the pilot against head-on attacks
• Capable of carrying 500 kg bombs, unlike the He 111 H-3 or Do 17 Z-1

Cons:

• Poor total bomb load compared to the He 111 H-3 (1,250 kg max)
• Poor defensive fire arcs, including a dead zone in the rear where neither of the rearward facing 12.7 mm machine guns can cover
• No frontal defensive gun covering the frontal aspect
• Lacks armour protection for the crew
• Forced to choose between less total bomb load but individually more powerful bombs or higher total bomb load with less powerful bombs

History

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the S.M.79 bis/N (Germany) from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Related development

• S.M.79 (Family)

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.