The gunner of an Italian bomber Savoia-Marchetti S.79 and the 12,7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun of dorsal turret. Victor Sierra

The gunner and his weapon

A gunner showing the maximum elevation of the dorsal 12,7 mm Breda-SAFAT machine gun of the Italian bomber Savoia-Marchetti S.79. Note the very limited traversing possibility of the weapon on an installation of the sort. Another consequence of the origin of the S.79 (fast civil transport aircraft). Victor Sierra

The dorsal machine gun of S.79

While and airman taking out the canvas of engine’s cowlings, the armorers in work clothes loading the 250 kg bombs on an Italian bomber Savoia-Marchetti S.79 under the guidance of two NCOs. Note the NCO in foreground with a black armband, sign of mourning in its family. Autumn 1940. Victor Sierra