Savoia-Marchetti SM 82 Canguru (Kangaroo)

Shown here is a fine aerial view of a SM 82 Canguru (Kangaroo) bomber/ transport aircraft of the Regia Aeronautica somewhere over North Africa. As a bomber the SM 82 was armed with one 12.7 mm (0.50 in) and four 7.7 mm (0.303 in) MGs, plus up to 4,000 kg (8,818 lb) of bombs. However, it was seldom used in this role. Although underpowered the SM 82 was also used in the cargo/transport role and could carry such items as aero engines, and a dismantled CR 42 Falco (Falcon) fighter could be carried in the fuselage. In the troop transport role it had folding seats to provide standard accommodation for 40 and their equipment, but many more could be carried in an emergency. As well as the Regia Aeronautica the SM 82 was operated after the 1943 Armistice by the Fascist Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana, the Aeronautica Cobelligerante del Sud and by the Luftwaffe.