The Savoia-Pomilio SP.3 was a reconnaissance and bomber aircraft built in Italy during the First World War.
[Taylor 1989, p.793]
Development
The SP.3 was a further development of the family of designs that had started with the
SP.1. Ultimately all of these took their basic configuration from the
Farman MF.11
The Maurice Farman MF.11 ''Shorthorn'' is a French aircraft developed before World War I by the Farman Aviation Works. It was used as a reconnaissance and light bomber during the early part of World War I, later being relegated to training duties ...
: a biplane with twin tails and a fuselage nacelle that accommodated the crew and a pusher-mounted engine.
[''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft'' p.2897] However, since the preceding
SP.2 had been found to be too slow and vulnerable in front-line service, the SP.3 was designed for higher performance.
The new design had a reduced wingspan, lower weight, and the aerodynamics of the fuselage nacelle were improved.
Some were also equipped with an improved version of the
Fiat A.12 engine, with its power output increased from 190 kW to 220 kW (250 hp to 300 hp)
The SP.3 flew in 1917 and was soon in production with
SIA and
Pomilio, who together built around 350 of them.
[Gunston 1993, p.269] By summer 1917, one quarter of all Italian front-line aviation units were equipped with Savoia-Pomilio types.
Operators
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Corpo Aeronautico Militare
The Italian Corpo Aeronautico Militare (Military Aviation Corps) was formed as part of the Regio Esercito (Royal Army) on 7 January 1915, incorporating the Aviators Flights Battalion (airplanes), the Specialists Battalion (airships) and the Ballon ...
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Specifications
Notes
References
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{{Portal bar, Italy, Companies, Aviation
Savoia-Pomilio aircraft
1910s Italian military reconnaissance aircraft
1910s Italian bomber aircraft
Biplanes
Aircraft first flown in 1917