World War II: Transport

Compared to WWI, the use of transport aircraft is now well established. These planes carry supplies, materials and troops, all activities that the Italian Royal Air Force has the occasion of experimenting in the Ethiopian and Spanish wars. When Italy joins the Second World War, the most popular transport planes being used (that can also be used for bombing) are the SIAI S.81 and the S.82 ‘Marsupiale’ (marsupial). The latter proves to be especially versatile and performant: in 1940-1941, it participates in the airlift organized to support the Italian troops engaged on the Greek-Albanian front. In the same period of time, several S.82 transport over fifty disassembled Fiat CR.42 fighters to Eastern Africa, and this transport plane is deployed in all the war theatres where the Italians fight.