Global Scale Modeller

Hi all,
I'm start to build the S.55 flown by the italian aviator Francesco de Pinedo (February 16, 1890 – September 2, 1933).
In 1927, with Carlo Del Prete and the engineer Vitale Zacchetti, De Pinedo flew on this Savoia-Marchetti S.55, called "Santa Maria", from Elmas (Sardinia, Italy) to the Cape Verde Islands, to Buenos Aires and finally reached Arizona.


De Pinedo - S.55 Santa Maria in New Orleans

If you are interested to deepen the topic, here an interesting site.

As Usual a quick look inside the box:


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

First steps, twin hull assembling ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Any tips or info to improve the build are welcome

love the look of the pontoons. Why do you think the engine had such a upward angle compared to the wings ? Was it to assist take off on water ?

that's a really strange aircraft ! and one I never saw ! Crazy to try flying in that ! Can't wait to see the end result !

Cockpit and fitting test ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

digger303 wrote: Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:50 am love the look of the pontoons. Why do you think the engine had such a upward angle compared to the wings ? Was it to assist take off on water ?

IMHO the reasons was two:

• to help take off on the water because the payload was very heavy to fly over the Atlantic

• to reduce the likelihood of seawater damaging the engine

RodolfoMas wrote: Sun Jul 11, 2021 10:15 am

digger303 wrote: Thu Jul 08, 2021 10:50 am love the look of the pontoons. Why do you think the engine had such a upward angle compared to the wings ? Was it to assist take off on water ?

IMHO the reasons was two:

• to help take off on the water because the payload was very heavy to fly over the Atlantic

• to reduce the likelihood of seawater damaging the engine

Thanks I wouldn't have guessed about the sea water. Seen so many other sea planes that don't do this to this extent.

Center wing section, wings and extra large hull assembled ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

First steps on tail section ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

A seaplane - flying wing!! Marvelous, i like this kind of planes! Very detailed one, i can't wait to see the next steps!

Main body assembled ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Engine fitting test ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Carrying those large pontoon's I can't imagine this being a very fast aircraft. Although a flying wing design makes me think there often isn't totally new designs emerging in today's world just rehashed old ones using more modern techniques and materials to improve performance. Those old guys were a lot smarter than they are given credit for.

First layer of Aircraft Gray


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Very cool build. It's looking great!

Decal applied and painted the black line over the wings ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Such a cool plane! I'm enjoying your build!

Model completed before Weathering and rigging ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Model completed and ready to a... resin sea ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Very nice! Could you imagine flying that? An open cockpit with the engines right over your head!

Beautiful build of a most unusual machine!! Congratulations!

WOW, that is a crazy bird

Nice work on her, she looks fantastic

Stunning build and pics

Stokesy44 wrote: Tue Aug 10, 2021 7:30 am Stunning build and pics

Seconded

Another superb build there Rod

Kevthemodeller wrote: Tue Aug 17, 2021 9:34 am Another superb build there Rod

Thanks Kev

Nice work ! Really awesome plane ! How are those Dora Wings kit ? Never tried one

Not my thing these winged things landing on water, but can tell how much time and effort you put in, and really superb work chap.
DW