Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 "Pipistrello" — Structured Documentation Collection
A structured digital collection of original Italian-language technical manuals for the Savoia-Marchetti S.81 "Pipistrello" (Bat), the three-engine low-wing monoplane bomber and transport aircraft that served as a primary workhorse of the Regia Aeronautica from 1935 onward. This collection brings together erection and maintenance manuals alongside the illustrated parts catalog, covering multiple engine variants and the CMA configuration — organized for serious researchers, aviation historians, and restoration professionals.
Definitive Collection with Free Lifetime Updates: This is a living collection that we continuously expand and refine. As we acquire additional SM.81 documentation, technical bulletins, or variant-specific materials, we update this collection and provide free lifetime updates to all purchasers. Your one-time purchase guarantees access to all future additions and improvements to this collection.
Historical Note
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 "Pipistrello" (Bat) was designed in the early 1930s as a dual-role bomber and transport, entering service with the Regia Aeronautica in 1935. Derived from the SM.73 commercial airliner, it was an all-wooden wing, three-spar construction aircraft with a steel tube fuselage and mixed wood/fabric covering — a blend of technologies characteristic of the transitional interwar period.
The SM.81 saw its combat debut during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War (1935–1936) and subsequently served in the Spanish Civil War and throughout the early years of World War II, particularly in the North African and East African theaters. Its stability and reliability made it an effective night bomber, compensating for its relatively modest maximum speed of 340 km/h — a consequence of its large, non-streamlined fuselage and fixed, spatted undercarriage.
A defining characteristic of the SM.81 was its varied engine installations throughout its production life. The aircraft flew with the Alfa Romeo 125 RC.35 (580–680 hp), Gnome-Rhône 14K (650–1,000 hp), Piaggio P.X R.C.15 (670–700 hp), Piaggio P.IX R.C.40 (680 hp), and Alfa Romeo 126 RC.34 (780–900 hp) — each installation creating distinct performance and maintenance profiles. A total of approximately 534 aircraft were built across all variants. The SM.81T transport variant, developed in 1941, utilized Alfa Romeo 126 engines and a Caproni-Lanciani ventral turret. A twin-engined prototype, the SM.81B, was tested with Isotta Fraschini Asso XI engines but not produced.
By the mid-war period the SM.81 had been largely relegated to transport and training duties as faster monoplane bombers like the SM.79 Sparviero took over front-line roles. Nevertheless, the "Pipistrello" remained in service until the Italian Armistice of 1943, a testament to its structural durability and handling qualities.
Manuals Included in This Collection
- Savoia-Marchetti S.81 Aircraft Erection and Maintenance Manual — Istruzioni per il Montaggio e la Regolazione (Italian Language) — 1936
- Savoia-Marchetti S.81 Aircraft Erection and Maintenance Manual — Istruzioni per il Montaggio e la Regolazione (Italian Language) — 1935
- Savoia-Marchetti S.81 CMA Aircraft Erection and Maintenance Manual — Istruzioni per il Montaggio e la Regolazione (Italian Language)
- Savoia-Marchetti S.81 Aircraft Illustrated Parts Catalog — Catalogo Nomenclatore (Italian Language)
This collection spans the 1935–1936 production and service period, covering the standard S.81 configuration, the CMA variant, and the illustrated parts nomenclature — providing a structured reference across the aircraft's primary operational documentation types.
Engineering Norms and Standards
The SM.81 was designed and built to Regia Aeronautica engineering and airworthiness standards of the early-to-mid 1930s, reflecting Italian military aviation procurement norms of the period. Construction followed a mixed-technology approach: steel tube cage for the cockpit and center section (providing structural durability in crash scenarios), wooden three-spar wings with fabric covering, and a fabric-covered steel tube tail unit with variable-incidence tailplanes.
Engine installations were governed by Regia Aeronautica technical circulars and manufacturer specifications for each powerplant variant. The fuel system comprised eight metal self-sealing tanks with a total capacity of 3,620–4,400 liters depending on engine fit. The dorsal turret rotation used a Riva-Calzoni hydraulic system. Armament systems were specified under Regia Aeronautica ordnance standards for 7.7mm Breda-SAFAT installations. The CMA (Costruzioni Meccaniche Aeronautiche) variant designation reflects a specific manufacturer configuration documented separately within this collection.
Performance data from the period records a maximum speed of 340 km/h at 4,000 m (Alfa Romeo 125 engines), a service ceiling of 7,000 m, a ferry range of 2,000 km, and a maximum takeoff weight of 10,505 kg — all consistent with Regia Aeronautica acceptance test standards for the type.
Format and Delivery
- Instant digital download — available immediately after purchase
- Format: PDF, high-resolution scans of original Italian-language factory documents
- Language: Italian (original factory documentation)
- Compatibility: All PDF readers; print-friendly
- Organization: Clearly labeled files by document type and date
Disclaimer
These documents are provided for historical research, archival reference, and educational purposes only. The SM.81 is an obsolete type with no active airworthiness certification. No guarantee is made as to completeness or accuracy for any operational use. All manufacturer and military designations are the property of their respective owners. This digital compilation, structure, indexing and presentation are © Sicuro Publishing.