I just ordered two Big Bird SM-79. I hope they look better in life than the photos i have seen. I ordered them for a some games in August. Time will tell?
Rich
I just ordered two Big Bird SM-79. I hope they look better in life than the photos i have seen. I ordered them for a some games in August. Time will tell?
Rich
Rich,
here is a link to some info on the SM79 and the Algernon BigBird planes in particular:
http://www.kampfgruppe144.com/phpBB3...=sm79&start=40
"I'd say there's no problem with the standard Verde Mimetico model (it looks like it- if it is grey, it will need a repaint...): I don't like very much the white-nosed one: it seems these were standard camouflaged planes (sprayed Green and Brown patches over a dark Yellow base - hard to tell from original photos: Italian camouflage was airbrushed, soft-edged and tends to blend in B/W pictures. You'll find model rendering of the same plane with small, jigsaw puzzle-like patches -the dark yellow almost a thin line between them-, as well as with large, soft-edged ones) and that some planes had their front (nose, engine cowling and wing leading edges) painted light gray to make them less conspicous when approaching enemy ships on their torpedo run; I'd say it would need an airbrush repaint if the final Algernon models will be like the already seen protoype...
However, here are a few WWII photos and also images from kit box covers, built kit images and a English page about Rhodes-based 281a Squadriglia Aerosiluranti........."
and
"Well, I can’t call myself a Regia Aeronautica expert, but most my larger scales builds are RA period Italian aircraft. However, so far I am not impressed with sample camouflages. In theory Green with Brown mottles is plausible, but most likely the colours should be reversed. The sample camouflage could represent short lived version of "African" camouflage type introduced in late 1941 with Green (Verde Oliva Scuro) and brown (Nocciola Chiaro) mottles. But as far as I know this type was mostly used on MC.202 fighters.
And I agree, the green and brown colours are way off in my opinion. But these are sample pictures, so I need to want and see the final product.
Hard edged camouflage, or a camouflage which looks like hard edged from distance, was fairly common with WWII Italian aircraft. However clear majority were either with soft edged or single colour camouflage.
Two tone grey aircraft also is bit curious to me. While it is possible a SM.79 have two tone grey camouflage, it was more common on a SM.84. SM.79 successor aircraft. Light Grey (Grigio Azzurro Chiaro 1) undersurface and Dark Grey (Grigio Azzurro Scuro 3) upper surface was standard maritime aircraft camouflage 1942 onwards. With very quick and very lazy search I couldn’t find a single example of SM.79 with two grey camouflage. Doesn’t prove anything, off course. However, typical late production SM.79 was continental type camouflage, dark green (Verde Oliva Scuro 2) with light grey under surface. (in some occasions Verde Oliva Scuro was mottled with Grigio Azzurro Chiaro)"
"Well, anything is possible with Regia Aeronautica, but basically most (all?) SM.79 stayed in Mediterraen.
However, add on. I just noticed that this link gives info on intended units.
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10156407a7/20/7
So green / brown aircraft is from 132 Gruppo's 281 Squadriglia. Which means that is intended to be similar aircraft than on Italeri's box art. :shock: I really hope that Algernon take notice on what they are doing. :twisted:
Grey aircraft is from 130 Gruppo's 283 Squadriglia. This camouflage could be a mistake too, as 130 Gruppo used grey coloured SM.84s. May be Algernon is mixing SM.79 to SM.84."
Both from a couple of Italian modellers.
Peter
Thank you for finding that. I found this on Wing Palette. From what i have read elsewhere they over sprayed lightly with the camo colors. This is what that two tone plane should probably look like. Light over spray of dark green! Here is an article on building a 1/48 scale very similar paint scheme
Rich
http://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelA...M79_JB_1a.html
I have a Squadron book that shows them in different paint schemes. The two Big Bird schemes seem to be correct.
Bob
Thanks for the tip. I will ask my friend and see if has that one. Have a great trip to the Great White North!
Rich
Bob
It looks like you two had a nice trip. The falls look just like i saw them in 1962! Have you decaled your SM-79`s? I am at that stage and wanted to check and see which number you went with.
Rich
Bob
Mine are ready for GOA!
Rich
They look great and an inspertion for me to finish mine.
Last edited by BobP; 06-23-2014 at 12:57.
Bob
They should make things interesting for the Royal Navy in August! I did not want to fly anymore bombers!
Rich
OK -- any bets on how long it takes Clipper to create a twin-engine -79 mini from a trimotor? :)
Chris
Check this link for some nice looking SM-79`s.
Rich
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...330#post295330
Glad I checked back to see what numbers you put on them. From the book I have the first 3 numbers 283 & 281 are the squadron numbers. So the next number is the plane number. Since there are 2 sets of numbers with 3 for each plane I thing I will make mine 283-2/283-3.
Started on one of the planes today and taking my time to make sure all is correct. It is the one you have marked 283-9 so I will make it 283-1 and than can cut the other decal to make 283-2.
Bob
That should give some variety to the game!
Rich
Just ordered another SM-79 (the camo one) but not sure if it will be here in time for GoA. Have to step up my building activity now that I have the first one done.
Sent you a PM about why I may not get the second one built. May help me to get it built. Thanks for being a friend.
Received my second camo plane today. That gives me 2 of each. I still have a few weeks to get the second solid color plane built.
Bob
They should keep the RN worried. With CR-42`s and C.200 for escort!
Rich
Again taking my time so started the second plane today. Should have it finished this week. Have to go back to PA to help clean his room but still have time to work on the plane.
Finished the second plane today and decaled 283-1. Decals seemed harder than putting the plane together. Hope I can get the other decal as I want it. This week should be the last trip to get my dad's stuff so may have time to build one more of these.
Bob
That should make for some really interesting games! I found a card the Max made for these!
Rich
Richard, Bob;
did you get my PM about stats?
Karl
It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus
Karl
No i did not receive a PM. I came across one of Max`s cards i had downloaded.
Rich
Draft card for the Sparviero:
SWC Mk 1
WGS SM79-SCW Plane Card.jpg Views: 132 Size: 196.5 KB ID: 142256" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
Comments?
Mike
"Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
"Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59
Next version, a MkII:
WGS SM79-281 Plane Card.jpg Views: 122 Size: 201.8 KB ID: 142440" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
This may need to have the #1 Gun Arc removed. Also, this is supposedly the same plane as the one above (281-5), but in 1941, so it may have been repainted (the forward gun is still mounted in the model, so the card would be accurate for it).
[EDIT: Pilot added!]
Last edited by OldGuy59; 09-04-2014 at 10:33.
Mike
"Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
"Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59
Excellent, Mike.
Now I must buy two more SM-79...
The things you make me do.
Definitely my next must buy. There is such an oldskool beauty in WWII Italian planes Wonder if AIM has them in 1:200...
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
It has. Oh-oh!!
I may have found a pilot for this (281-5) plane: Modelingmadness.com - SM.79
An ace bomber pilot?! Who was Carlo Buscaglia? I will soon know.
PS: Now I feel ignorant: Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia
Mike
"Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
"Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59
Excellent find, Mike. I'll paint one like this. Hint?!
And the second color scheme from above, with crew:
WGS SM79-283 Plane Card.jpg Views: 120 Size: 198.7 KB ID: 142442" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
Mike
"Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
"Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59
You may find this of interest:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/4662060/Ai...rchetti-S-M-79
Another excellent and tempting design, Mike.
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
What color schemes do you have, Joaquim?
And don't blame me for your addiction. I have my own problems without your guilt added in.
WGS SM79-252 Plane Card.jpg Views: 115 Size: 199.4 KB ID: 142466" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
Mike
"Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
"Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59
Andy AIM has them and I have 2 of them. Still working on painting them up. I see a number of paint jobs I could do to them. I was also inspired by our game at Origins so now have a number of planes to repaint for the Polish/Russian war.
And to finish off the set:
WGS SM79-252 Mgmt Card.jpg Views: 114 Size: 221.7 KB ID: 142468" class="thumbnail" style="float:CONFIG" />
Pilot, Co-pilot, and Radioman are not gunners. Perhaps the Radioman could fill in, if desperate.
The Flight Engineer is the gunner for guns 1 and 2, but should be able to switch between guns instantaneously, as can the Waist Gunner between 3 and 4. Neither of these can fire simultaneously, though.
The Bombardier handles the Ventral gun, but can't do bombing and shooting in the same phase.
Mike
"Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
"Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59
Four sets of SM.79 cards (Plane and Management Cards) can be found in my WWII Italian Bomber album: WWII Italian Bombers
If you need something different, or Mark IIIs, let me know.
Mike
"Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
"Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59
It's a torpedo bomber. It hasn't the ventral gondola.
It was the SM79-III that dispensed with the gondola. Earlier ones were modified to the SM 79-III standards. All SM 79's (except transports) could carry torpedoes. usually only one; but they could carry two.
The forward firing MG (fixed) was fired by the pilot. In SM 79-III's the 12.7mm MG was upgraded to a 20mm cannon.
(See above link to the scanned Profile Publication# 089..or here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/4662060/Ai...rchetti-S-M-79 )
Thanks, Brian. This was very helpful.
The SM79 has always been a favorite of mine. If I was at my other home, I'd have access to a host of books & research files and could probably find more stuff. A large portion is in Italian, that I would have to muddle through. Most of it is sadly, out of print.
One thing I do recall is the SM79's that were tasked with torpedo bombing at one point (I don't remember when) had their entire FRONT aspect painted a 'gull grey' to help camouflage them in low level attacks from the enemy gunners.
Last edited by Grey; 09-05-2014 at 06:46.
Great info. The book I have said they tried 2 torpedo's but the plane was unstable so they only carried one.
Brian
Bob and i played two games a put our new SM-79`s to the test as both level and torpedo bombers. Here are links to our AAR`s of the games!
Rich
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...h-Malta-Convoy
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...9865-AAR-Malta
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...r-Attack-Malta!
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...e-Malta-Convoy!
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