The Ansaldo SVA were a family of Italian reconnaissance and bombing biplanes , developed in the second phase of the First World War. About five Ansaldos survive today out of 1245 built, this one in the Gianni Caproni museum in Trento.

The Ansaldo SVA were a family of Italian reconnaissance and bombing biplanes , developed in the second phase of the First World War. About five Ansaldos survive today out of 1245 built, this one in the Italian air force museum in Vigna di Valle.

On display at JASDF Hamamatsu Kohokan. The SVA.5 was designed as a fighter by Umberto Savojal and Rodolfo Verduzio during World War I. It was not as maneuverable as other fighters, so the type was used for long-range reconnaissance and as a light bomber. The two-seater SVA.9 was derived from the SVA.5 and remained in service with the Regia Aeronautica until 1927. The SVA.9 was flown by Arturo Ferrarin and Guido Masiero in the 1920 Rome-Tokyo Raid, with the former famously winning the race in 112 hours over multiple stages.

Designed as a fighter, the Ansaldo SVA found a role as a reconnaissance aircraft, having very good performance and long range. Piloted by Gino Allegri, 11777 took part in a famous leaflet raid to Vienna on 9 August 1918. The SVA.5 was a single-seater but a two-seat SVA.9 carried the inspirator of the raid, the nationalist and poet Gabriele D'Annunzio.

The aircraft was designed by Umberto Savoia and Rudolfo Verduzio and built by Ansaldo; hence the abbreviation SVA in the type.

Savoia, Verduzio (designers) and Ansaldo (company) set out to build a fighter but the resulting SVA was deemed unsuitable for that role. It could however fly very far, high and fast and so became an excellent reconnaissance plane. This is one of the aircraft of the propaganda Flight over Vienna in 1918. The Lion of St. Mark was the insigna of the 87a squadriglia 'Serenissima' and the painting depicts general Gabriele d'Annunzio, the organiser of the famous flight.