Another gem kindly shared by Harvey Low with a most interesting back story of an epic but little known flight, about which some more in due course. Over to Harvey then:
'The Savoia-Marchetti (SM) 75 is well known among Italian WW2 Aviation Enthusiasts. But it also has a direct connection to Japan. The SM.75 held many speed and endurance records in the 1930’s as it was powered by three 559kW (750 hp) Alfa Romeo 126 RC.34 radial engines, making it suitable for extreme long range flights. With such performance features, a SM.75 was tasked for a secret flight from Rome to Tokyo to deliver new diplomatic codebooks to Italy's Axis partner. It was suspected that the Allies had broken their international radio codes in January 1942) and as radio was the most vital means to communicate with the Japanese, the Italians needed to deliver new codebooks to Japan.
'So a SM.75 GA (for Grande Autonomia, meaning "Long Range") Matricola Miltare number MM60539, was specially modified for this single plane flight from Rome to Tokyo and back. In June 1942, this aircraft (an earlier variant GA), was designated the SM.75 RT (for Rome-Tokyo). Flying from Rome on 29 June 1942, first SM.75 flew to German-occupied Ukraine, to be refuelled by an Italian ground crew, then over the vast Soviet airspace to Japanese-occupied Mongolia for another refuelling stage. The aircraft was then repainted with Japanese roundels as a precaution for flying across Japanese airspace. With a Japanese Interpreter now aboard, the remaining distance to Tokyo was flown, landing on 3 July 1942.
'This is the 1/72 resin model from
Balaton Models, modified to this unique variant. The model is a conversion from the Civil Passenger version to this long-range military aircraft. I made a number of modifications unique to this specific aircraft, including an entirely new tail, different window configuration, new exhausts, and other smaller details such as pitot tube and landing lights - as none were provided in the kit. The greatest challenge was the absence of the noticeable and thus essential Savoia Marchetti manufacturer logo! My good friend and Italian aircraft expert Tom Ricci stepped in to create these custom logos for me from his design and inkjet printer – thanks Tom!
'The model represents a little-known but significant part of aviation history, and a testament to the engineers, flight crew, and maintenance crew who achieved this flight. The Rome to Tokyo flight was arguably one of the Regia Aeronautica's finest hours. A diorama is now in order showing Japanese airfield crew and trucks servicing an Italian aircraft!' For a full description of this project please refer to
Guideline Publications, Scale Aircraft Modelling August 2023, Volume 45.
With special thanks to Harvey for photos of an intriguing model representing an intrepid flight.
Image credits: All model photos © 2025 Harvey Low; Heading Photo via Harvey Low; Tailing photo via Aviation of Japan; Box art © Balaton Models
11 comments:
As usual from Harvey, superb work! I had also been unaware of this mission, so always happy to learn something new on that front as well! Thanks for sharing this with us, Harvey and Nick!
Thanks for sharing another rare aeroplane and its history with us, Nick. Harvey did a great job converting the kit to create this fine and unique model based on meticulous research.
Very cool model Harvey. I admit I hadn't even heard of this particular machine, before you brought it to my attention. Awesome job!
Italian kangaroos in Japan? … Who knew?…. What a fascinating story of high-stakes espionage between the Axis powers…. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every minute of it ! Thanks so much, Nick, for this fascinating story, and of course, another absolutely spectacular model aircraft from Mr. Low truly superb
Gratitude to Harvey and Nick
Thanks for passing this story along; many of us have found it interesting, yet known nothing about it. At their best models embody history and bring what was obscure into sharp focus, and that's what this one does. Thanks for imparting this tale, Nick; beautiful craftsmanship and fidelity, Harvey.
Just superb work! Extremaly rare model. Thanks for sharing and very interesting story.
Well said Mark !
"At their best models embody history and bring what was obscure into sharp focus"
This post highlights the reasons why I love this blog: models with Hinomaru, fascinating stories, modelling tecniques, lots of precious info and so many things to learn! Never heard about this particular plane and its mission. Hats off Nick and Harvey!
Thank you guys for all your kind comments. I cant always reply to each but I do read them. I lao admire all the great work on this blog. Thanks Nick!
What a great article. I'm also a fan of the Regia Aeronautica. Amazing model. Wonderful history, thank you Harvey and Nick.
Such a nice history to go along with Harvey's spectacular model. This is really quite an impressive work of modeling. So well presented and now shown here where it comes together in this history filled article. Bravo to both Harvey and to you Nick for bringing it to life.
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