Dora Wings Savoia-Marchetti S.55 (72015) - 1:72 Dora Wings

[Julien]

Savoia-Marchetti S.55 (72015)

1:72 Dora Wings

 

 

The S.55 was a double hulled flying boat designed and built by Savoia-Marchetti in Italy in the early 1920s. Unusually the designed accommodated the passengers and cargo in the twin hulls and the pilots in the wing centre section. The engines were also unusual in that they were a pair of inline engines mounted above the wing in tandem canted sharply up. The drove contra rotating propellers. The aircraft would become famous for a series of trans Atlantic flights in the late 20s and then the Italian Air Force taking a flight of 24 aircraft to the 1933 Chicago Centaury of Progress Exposition. The Aircraft would be used in a civil capacity in Italy, Russia and the US. Military users would be Italy, Brazil, Spain, and Romania. Only one aircraft survives today being located in Brazil, where bizarrely it was traded for Coffee Beans after its transatlantic fight there!

 

 

The Kit

Dora Wings are becoming know for kitting unusual aircraft and the S.55 certainly fits the bill there. The kit arrives on 11 sprues of grey plastic, one clear film, 2 sheets of PE and two resin engines. Construction begins with the resin engines having their exhaust stubs added. The front fairing/radiator? is also made up at this time, as are the pair of pilot seat. All are put to one side for later.

 

 

 

Next up the two hulls need to be made up. These are a main stepped hull bottom with two sides and front/rear decks. Internal structures need to be made up and added before they can be put together. The insides have a lot of detail consistent with a boat structure, while nice most wont be visible. The framework for the engine mounts are then built up and the engines added.

 

 

 

Next up the cockpit is built up in the wing centre section. The floor is added with control wheels, throttles and the previously built up seats. The wing centre section can then be closed up. The main outer wings are then assembled from lowers and uppers with a single part control surface. Next up the large tail is built up and attached to its booms. To finish off the wing centre section is added to the twin hulls. Then the outer wings, tail section and engines are added. 

 

 

 

 

Markings

The decals are from Decograf and look good with no registration issues, there are three decal options provided;

 

• S.55 Santa Maria, Reg No. 10015. Atlantic flight 16/02/1927.
• S.55 Santa Maria II, Reg No. 10016. Atlantic flight 08/05/1927.
• S.55 JAHU, Reg I-BAUQ ex I-SSAV, Atlantic flight 28/04/1927 (box art aircraft)

 

 

Conclusion

This is certainly an unusual aircraft which should appeal to those who like them, or Italian aircraft, or indeed the modellers of Flying Boats. Highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of

 

[Basosz]

That's the weirdest thing I've seen today, even after looking in the mirror. Cool plane and definitely weird!

[StephenCJ]

Great looking aeroplane.  Have bought one from Hannants and will do WIP when it arrives.

[Mick4350]

Is there a stand for it ?

[Julien]

3 hours ago, Mick4350 said:

Is there a stand for it ?

not in the box.

 

Julien