The acquisition of six Savoia Marchetti SM.79B bombers for No. 5 Squadron in 1937-1938, propelled the RIrAF into the world of modern military aviation of that period. While other versions of this bomber were powered by three engines, this one received a re-designed nose with the bomb-aimer’s position, an elevated cockpit with a movable machine gun, and two Fiat A.80 RC.41 engines. The centre fuselage included a large bomb bay, in which either two 500kg, five 250kg, or 12 50 or 100kg bombs could be installed – all vertically. The SM.79Bs operated by the RIrAF all appear to have been painted in yellow sand overall: large type insignia, serial number and the triangle were applied on the fuselage sides and national colours on the ruder. Inset is shown the insignia of No. 5 Squadron as in use from 1938s until the 1980s. (Artwork by Goran Sudar)