The SM.95 was announced in 1937, when the future was seen in the 4-engined aircraft. Until that time Italy had mainly used 3-engined aircraft. The SM.95, designed by Alessandro Marchetti, first flew on 8 May 1943. Originally named SM.76 it was fitted with four 750 hp A.R. 126 RC.34. In 1939 the project was renamed SM.95C (C for Civil), with the more powerful Alfa Romeo RC.18 (860 hp) engine.
With the start of World War II, this project was stopped until December 1941, when L.A.T.I. called for a 4-engined useful for South American routes. It had, nevertheless, inferior performances compared to Piaggio P.108C and CANT Z.511A, both metallic and more powerful. But the new SM.95 had lower costs and a swifter development.
The aircraft was similar to other contemporary airliners, but the construction was mixed. Welded steel was used for the fuselage structure, with light alloy covering fitted to the nose, underside and rear fuselage, and fabric covering for the fuselage sides and roof. The three-spar wing was also of wooden construction, with plywood skinning. The engines drove three-bladed metal constant speed propellers.
The two pilots sat side by side in an enclosed cockpit, while behind them sat the flight engineer (on the left) and radio operator (on the right). Behind the cockpit, there was normally seating for 20–30 passengers, with up to 38 being able to be carried over short ranges.
There was an initial need for a bomber version, SM.95B, with enhanced engines and a weapon set. Nevertheless, the first to fly was the SM.95C, on 3 August 1943, at Vergiate, with Guglielmo Algarotti flying.
Italy's armistice with the Allies in September 1943 stopped the program, and the only two aircraft built at the time were requisitioned by the Germans and sent to Germany, where they flew with the Luftwaffe and were subsequently lost.
| Type |
Passenger plane. Crew 4 -5, 20 - 38 passengers |
| Engine |
4 Alfa Romeo 128 R.C. with 3-bladed constant speed propellers |
| Dimensions |
Length 24,77 m, height 5,25 m, span 34,28 m, wing area |
| Weights |
Empty 13310 kg, loaded 21655 kg |
| Performance |
Max. speed 361 km/h, cruising speed 315 km/h, range 2000 km, service ceiling 6350 m |
| Type |
Werk.Nr |
Registration |
History |
| C |
NC 41001 |
|
The prototype SM.95C (NC.41001) was ready in May 1943. The first flight on it was made by the pilot Guillermo Algarotti, who was generally satisfied with the aircraft. In flight, the SM.95C did not show significant flaws, with the exception of insufficient alignment, but the design team promised to fix this problem in the very near future. Factory tests were completed on August 13, and the next day SM.95C was transferred to an airbase in Guidonia, where the aircraft began to undergo military tests. The flights continued until September 9, 1943, when the plane was captured by the Germans and flown to Germany. Used by the Tr.St.5 at Medorf. Lost during a bombing raid on September 4, 1944 |
| C |
NC 41002 |
|
Fown to Germany in 1943. Used by the Tr.St.5 at Medorf |
