The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero (Sparrowhawk) was a World War II Italian bomber originally designed as a fast passenger transport aircraft. The three-engined, torpedo-bomber and medium-bomber was easily recognizable due to having a distinctive fuselage 'hump', and was well liked by its crews who gave it the nickname Gobbo Maledetto (damned hunchback). The SM.79 first saw action in the Spanish Civil War, and remained in service in Italy until 1952.

The Sparviero was suited to the role of torpedo-bomber for several reasons: one being that once force-landed, its wooden structure was light enough to allow it to stay afloat for up to half an hour, giving the crew ample time to escape. The front engine gave some protection against Anti Aircraft artillery fire (despite the oil and gasoline fire hazard), and could also 'break' the sea surface, helping the structure to remain intact even though there was a risk of breaking at mid-fuselage.[citation needed] The aircraft was capable of a relatively quick climb, had a good turn-of-speed for its time, and its rugged structure and responsiveness allowed the aircraft be to carefully looped. The best means of defence from fighters, however, was to fly in tight formations and at sea level. The maximum speed of the SM.79-I, also known as SM.79-K or M, was around 350 km/h at sea level. The takeoffs and landings were performed in short distances thanks to flaps and slats.