Savoia-Marchetti SM.78

The Savoia-Marchetti SM.78 was an Italian bomber and reconnaissance biplane flying boat of the early 1930s, designed for the role of maritime reconnaissance-bomber. It was developed from the SM.62bis, keeping practically the same wings, tail and fuselage but with a different model of Handley Page flaps. It was a single-bay biplane with a long, slim aft fuselage, a tall welded steel fin, a wooden horizontal tail mounted centrally and a lower hull with two steps to aid take-off from the sea. The prototype first flew at the end of 1932 and was transferred the next year to Vigna di Valle for evaluation. It was the last biplane flying boat built or used in large numbers by Italy, with 49 completed, and it equipped squadriglie based at La Spezia, Livorno, Nisida and Syracuse.