A detail of the No.145 Squadron RAF’s S.79 ZX “Gremlin”. Notice the armament removed and the white band over the fuselage, in use when this aircraft was in service with the Italian Air Force, still retained. Victor Sierra

“Gremlin” again

The former Regia Aeronautica’s Savoia-Marchetti S.79 military registration MM22174 taken over by No.145 Squadron, RAF, at this time equipped with Spitfire V, at Castel Benito, Tripoli, when arrived there on 8th February 1943. The aircraft, repainted in British markings, received the Squadron code letters ZX and the name “Gremlin” and was used extensively as a Squadron communications airplane. F/O Jim Pickering flew this S.79 for 88 hours 55 minutes on Squadron duties between 24th February and 19th May 1943. Later this aircraft, handed over to an USAAF unit, destroyed by fire. Victor Sierra

“Gremlin”

British 4th Brigade Commandos tramp through a village between Sword and Juno Beaches. Normandy, France, June 1944.