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More info on this captured SM.79 used for transport by the US 79th Figher Group?

Anonymous Tue 30 Nov 2021 00:16:51 No.1737562 View View Reply Original Report

Quoted By:

I really want to learn more about this US captured SM.79 Sparrowhawk, but have been put through the ringer with research and could use help.

I actually purchased the July 2021 issue of FlyPast since it was cited as the source for a captured example here,
https://captured-wings.fandom.com/wiki/MM.21750
However pic related is the only mention of captured models in the article, and it turns out the article was made free online in the meantime.
https://www.key.aero/article/fighting-sparrowhawk

I just like Sparrowhawks and would like to know what the US thought of their performance and if the crews were ever in combat, please.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 1638163214464.png, 290KiB, 1087x702

Anonymous Tue 30 Nov 2021 00:17:12 No.1737563 Report

Quoted By:

Pic related is what piqued my interest, since it still has the Italian roundels on the wings but a US roundel on the rear fuselage, which I found interesting.

Anonymous

Anonymous Tue 30 Nov 2021 00:18:12 No.1737564 Report

Quoted By:

Only other photo I found of it.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 1638164988804.png, 395KiB, 1167x338

Anonymous Tue 30 Nov 2021 00:21:06 No.1737565 Report

Quoted By:

Only other photo I found of it.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 02 Dec 2021 07:02:28 No.1738315 Report

Quoted By: >>1738316 >>1738333 >>1738841

Here's some for you.
https://79thfightergroup.com/79th-fighter-group-grogan

There are other 79th FS galleries there, try them too

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 02 Dec 2021 07:10:07 No.1738316 Report

Quoted By:

>>1738315
I'd also suggest asking in http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 79th-FG-Captured-SM.79.-Charles- (...).jpg, 116KiB, 1800x522

Anonymous Thu 02 Dec 2021 09:12:39 No.1738333 Report

Quoted By:

>>1738315
Excellent find! Two more photos to add, as well as some names and contact info. Thank you very much!!

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 79th-FG-Lt.-Col.-Charles-Grogan- (...).jpg, 129KiB, 840x1200

Anonymous Sat 04 Dec 2021 00:11:53 No.1738839 Report

Quoted By:

Just to add some closure to the thread, I was sent a page from Don Woerpel's 'The 79th Fighter Group over Tunisia, Sicily and Italy in World War II' which describes most of what I was looking for. I'll share for those interested.

>Lt.-Colonel "Chuck" Grogan, the Group's Ops Officer, found the obscolescent "Eyetee" bomber at Catania Main near Mount Etna, and with the help of his crew chief and a couple of other mechanics got it repaired and back to Palagonia. Grogon planned to use it as a squadron utility vehicle, making beer runs to Alexandria and the like. Several uneventful flights were made - including once when Grogan and "Duke" Uhrich took "Doc" Magnes (Captain Stephen Magness, the 87th's Flight Surgeon) for a ride so Magness could collect his flight pay - until the 79th got ready to move to Italy. That's when the old tri-motored bird ended up on the scrap heap for good, and Grogan "almost bought the farm."
Cont.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 04 Dec 2021 00:12:54 No.1738841 Report

Quoted By: >>1738950

>It had been decided to move A-Party to Italy by air, and the old SM-79 (irreverently nicknamed the The Marcheesi Special) was loaded with passengers, baggage and crew. Unfortunately, too much weight was placed in the rear of the aircraft, which drastically affected its center of gravity. Grogan got the plane airborne and the gear up with no difficulty, but then his troubles started. The plane started climbing out of control (the trim controls worked just the opposite as they do in American planes, which probably contributed to the probme) and even witjj Grogan's knee braced against the control column The Marcheesi Special went from ground level straight up into a stall at about 1,500. "It was the only time I thought we had 'bought the farm,'" Grogan said. "But fortunately the aircraft was a pussycat. It wallowed over on tis side and we were able to get the nose down with the bottom rudder, pick up speed, and get it under control." Grogan eventually got the old bird to the new field, which was full of potholes from 1,000-lb. bombs, and unloaded his passengers without further incident. Unfortunately, everything turned sour again when they started for home. Grogan began taxiing as soon as the flight engineer got the outboard engines running, and in trying to get the center engine going lost air for the brakes. With no brakes the plane drifted left toward a large bomb crater. When he fed in more left throttle the left engine fizzled out and the torque of the right engine pulled the plane into the crater. "End of plane, end of story," Gorgan said.

Thanks once more to >>1738315

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 04 Dec 2021 07:36:48 No.1738950 Report

Quoted By:

>>1738841
you're welcome, interesting story

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More info on this captured SM.79 used for transport by the US 79th Figher Group?