SIAI-Marchetti was an Italian aircraft manufacturer originating in the Società Idrovolanti Alta Italia, founded in 1915 by Domenico Santoni and Luigi Capé. It passed through Agusta ownership to Aermacchi in 1997.[1]
Flying boats and landplanes
Initial activities at Lake Maggiore included pilot training and licence manufacture of FBA flying boats. The company's first original aircraft was Raffaele Conflenti's S.8 of 1917. Alessandro Marchetti became technical director in 1922 and later a co-owner. Subsequent designs included the S.51 racing seaplane and S.55 flying boat, which became associated with transatlantic formation flights. The company also developed substantial landplane programmes, including the S.79, S.81, S.82 and S.84, broadening its work beyond seaplanes.[1]
Light aircraft and training
The SF.260 developed a substantial role in elementary military instruction. The Italian Air Force describes its SF.260EA as a low-wing, light-alloy aircraft with retractable landing gear. The S.208 served different tasks, including liaison flying and glider towing. These applications placed the company's smaller aircraft at different points in military aviation, from introductory instruction to routine transport and support.[2] Italian SF.260 service began in 1976, and the air force subsequently preserved an example from the 70th Wing at its historical museum at Vigna di Valle, recognising the type's long training role.[3]
Agusta ownership and transfer
Agusta acquired the company in 1969 and moved medium and heavy helicopter assembly to Vergiate while supporting further fixed-wing development. The range subsequently included a turboprop SF.260, the S.211 jet trainer and SF.600 twin-engine transport. As part of restructuring within Agusta, SIAI passed to Aermacchi in 1997. Vergiate continued as a helicopter assembly location, giving the former fixed-wing aircraft works a different role within the wider aerospace industry.[1]