Savoia-Marchetti S.16 w/Tractor Propeller

[Romantic Technofreak]

Hi Secret Projects,

I got a couple of pictures I cannot label properly. Nobody yet was able to help me. To be honest, I don't believe you can either. But who else could? I call these "Documents of Desperation" and post the first one here.

This one looks very much like a Savoia-Marchetti S.16, but with tractor propeller configuration. If you like to comment, please do so.

Thank you, and regards,
RT

 

[Apophenia]

... This one looks very much like a Savoia-Marchetti S.16, but with tractor propeller configuration. ...

Based partly upon windshield shape, I believe this to be the prototype Savoia-Marchetti S.53 - a 1922 passenger transport evolution of the 1919 SIAI S.16. The chap on the nose has his legs draped over where the 'S.53' logo would have been painted.

Most photos of the S.53 show it after its 1923 modification to a tandem-engined push-pull arrangement. That is probably what we a seeing here (assuming that the shape below the wind generator is actually the rear pusher propeller).

But there is another possibility. The S.53 was originally flown in 1922 with a single Fiat A.12bis engine. I had always assumed that to have been a pusher installation. However, might we be looking at the original installation which was, in fact, a tractor?

-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/savoia-marchetti-pre-war-aircraft-search.6341/#post-52708

 

[Romantic Technofreak]

"Savoia-Marchetti S.53" is a very fine solution! Thank you Apohenia!

Through the decades, I call to the chap on the nose: "Don't embarrass posteriority!


Regards, RT